Could use some help on .44 Special mild loads.

[Boxcarman]

I have a model 29 that I enjoy shooting very much, but after a few rounds of 240grs at 1100-1200 I have to set it down for awhile. I picked up a couple of hundred .44 Special brass in the hopes of coming up with a reduce load that will allow me to shoot this revolver more. To reduce the recoil I have settled on Oregon Trails 200gr cast bullet. Looking on the net I've only seen three powders that guys have recommended Red Dot, Titegroup and Power Pistol. You guys that shoot the .44 Special, what combination do you use? I was hoping to find a load that's accurate in the 700 to maybe 850 f.p.s. range. Any and all suggestions or advise is welcomed. Thank you. BCM

[Flamingo]

Trailboss would be a great powder to use:

Form Hodgdon's webpage:

Case: Starline
Twist: 1:20"
Primer: Winchester LP, Large Pistol
Barrel Length: 8"
Trim Length: 1.155"

BULLET WEIGHT
200 GR. CAST LRNFP
MANUFACTURER

Trail BossBULLET DIAM.
.430"C.O.L.
1.450"
STARTING LOADS
GRS. VEL.(FT/S) PRESS.
4.3 757 8,700 CUP
MAXIMUM LOADS
GRS. VEL.(FT/S) PRESS.
6.3 885 13,200 CUP

[Duelist]

Lost River

[Snapshot]

I have a model 29 that I enjoy shooting very much, but after a few rounds of 240grs at 1100-1200 I have to set it down for awhile. I picked up a couple of hundred .44 Special brass in the hopes of coming up with a reduce load that will allow me to shoot this revolver more. To reduce the recoil I have settled on Oregon Trails 200gr cast bullet. Looking on the net I've only seen three powders that guys have recommended Red Dot, Titegroup and Power Pistol. You guys that shoot the .44 Special, what combination do you use? I was hoping to find a load that's accurate in the 700 to maybe 850 f.p.s. range. Any and all suggestions or advise is welcomed. Thank you. BCM

Not what you were asking and likely not what you need, however: When I was shooting SASS (cowboy action) I used a pair of Blackhawks and a model 94, I loaded 240 gr bullets over 6.0 grains of Trail Boss in a regular 44 magnum case. This was very easy to shoot and more than adequate for the distances involved. Not recommended for anything but targets / gaming but they worked fine for that.

[Boxcarman]

Snapshot, cowboy loads would be fine. If I want to take it hunting then the 240XTP's go along. Thanks to all who replied you have given me some ideas.

[Malamute]

Not too long after I got my 4" 29 and got over the youthful enthusiasm for the full power loads, I started loading 44 spls for small game, and medium loads for most general shooting. the 44 spl load was 6 1/2 grs Unique with the Lyman 429421, then later with commercially cast 240 gr swc bullets, the medium load was 9 grs Unique with the same bullets. Its a bit more steam than the 44 spls, but quite a lot less kick and muzzle blast than the full power magnums. Only a smaller fraction of the overall loads Ive shot in 44 mags has been full power, most have been the medium load, then 44 spl somewhere between the two others for quantities.

The medium loads are still pretty easy to shoot at 300 yards. Noticeably less sight than 44 spl level loads.

Shoot a bunch of mild 44 spl loads and youll fall in love with your gun all over again, they are much more fun to shoot than magnums.

[Rick R]

Unique

Like Malamute says, it works from very mild to fairly stout in the .44. I used to take 429421 bullets loaded over 6.5gr of Unique to pistol permit classes and let students shoot them in my 629 Mountain Gun. I didn’t realize that a fellow deputies wife was in class till he came up to me a week or so later and said “You let my wife shoot a .44 MAGNUM? Now she wants one.”

[mtnbkr]

When I had a 4" 629, I used about 6gr Trailboss with a 250gr SWC as my "lite" load. It was "shoot all day" light and accurate too. Unique would work as well.

Chris

[Malamute]

FWIW, I procured a Lyman 429215 GC mould, Im reducing bullet weight for some of my stuff to keep the guns active but be easier on older sore hands. Its supposed to make 215 gr bullets, but many people have stated online they tend to run slightly heavier. Fine for what Im doing. It also reduces the depletion rate of my casting lead supply.

Ive shot a fair number of 200 gr RNFP bullets, they are probably intended for cowboy action lever gun loads, they look somewhat like older 44-40 200 gr flat point bullets. Ive mostly shot them with the same 9 gr Unique load in mag cases as a mild 44 carbine load. Its a little muzzle blasty in pistols compared to 44 spl loads, Ive loaded some 44 spls with that bullet but not shot any in a long time and cant offer any thoughts on them in that regard.

Lighter bullets and lighter loads help make the large caliber guns more friendly to geezerly hands and bodies as well as less expensive to shoot. The discussions of Old Man Guns often trend towards 32s and light 38 loads, but larger calibers can still be shooter friendly with the right loads, and Lost River has shown in his 44 Russian loads. Ive also found single action revolvers more hand friendly compared to DA revolvers of the same chambering. I think before I went to 32s or light loads in 38 DAs for carry guns Id more likely go 45 Colt, 44 spl, or 357 in a single action and live with the understanding that reloads were less practical.

[GJM]

You might need a shorter front sight for special loads.

[Crazy Dane]

I tend to favor 900 to 1000fps but have loaded a few ight loads for my GP100s. I had a bunch of 210gr RNFP from SNS Casting and have used 5gr of HP38 for about 725fps. 5gr of Trialboss gets about the same, possibly just a hair more. I have loaded what was known as a galley load using .430/.433 round balls over 3.2gr of Unique for about 500fps. These are really low pressure and may back the primer out. If that happens you can enlarge the flash hole. Its a dirty load but fun for the women, children and those that are still a child at heart.

[Trooper224]

Forget the Special cases. A 240/250 grain bullet, over 9 grains of Power Pistol, in a Magnum case, is what you want. It clocks at 950ish fps from my 4" 29. It's accurate, burns clean, doesn't beat you or the gun up. It won't leave carbon in your chambers like using Special cases will. It's also enough to drop a bull elk. I've dropped Unique and everything else and it's now my do everything load for the .44 Magnum.

[Snapshot]

Forget the Special cases. A 240/250 grain bullet, over 9 grains of Power Pistol, in a Magnum case, is what you want. It clocks at 950ish fps from my 4" 29. It's accurate, burns clean, doesn't beat you or the gun up. It won't leave carbon in your chambers like using Special cases will. It's also enough to drop a bull elk. I've dropped Unique and everything else and it's now my do everything load for the .44 Magnum.

Good point about the Special cases.

[deputyG23]

Forget the Special cases. A 240/250 grain bullet, over 9 grains of Power Pistol, in a Magnum case, is what you want. It clocks at 950ish fps from my 4" 29. It's accurate, burns clean, doesn't beat you or the gun up. It won't leave carbon in your chambers like using Special cases will. It's also enough to drop a bull elk. I've dropped Unique and everything else and it's now my do everything load for the .44 Magnum.

Good that you mentioned this. I have used seven grains of WST in Magnum cases behind a 240 grain cast bullet for about 850 fps out of my 3" M29. I imagine that using BE-86, which I have several pounds of, would be a comparable load to yours using PP when I exhaust my supply of WST.

[Rick R]

I imagine that using BE-86, which I have several pounds of, would be a comparable load to yours using PP when I exhaust my supply of WST.

BE-86 has become my go to in 10mm and 9mm with cast or jacketed. I recently bought a 432-255 SWC mold from NOE and was contemplating about using BE-86 in my .44 loads as I’m low on Unique. I’m curious as to how it performs in low to mid range loadings. Alliant’s data looks a little peppy

[Trooper224]

BE-86 has become my go to in 10mm and 9mm with cast or jacketed. I recently bought a 432-255 SWC mold from NOE and was contemplating about using BE-86 in my .44 loads as I’m low on Unique. I’m curious as to how it performs in low to mid range loadings. Alliant’s data looks a little peppy

BE-86 is all I use in 9mm and .45acp now. I haven't shot any .44s since the craziness began, but eventually I'll try it there.

[willie]

Red Dot, Green Dot, Bullseye, and Win 231 will produce the 44 velocities sought by the op. I listed these powders if he can't find other powders. They will work in mag or special cases. Trooper has an excellent load.

[Borderland]

Forget the Special cases. A 240/250 grain bullet, over 9 grains of Power Pistol, in a Magnum case, is what you want. It clocks at 950ish fps from my 4" 29. It's accurate, burns clean, doesn't beat you or the gun up. It won't leave carbon in your chambers like using Special cases will. It's also enough to drop a bull elk. I've dropped Unique and everything else and it's now my do everything load for the .44 Magnum.

The beauty of the 44 mag is the versatility. It can be a 44 special if you want it to be. Powder is the key here. Red Dot, Green Dot and Unique will all get you reduced velocity loads. I don't have any experience with PP but it might be better just on the fact that it fills the case a little more.

I load .357 for about 900 fps. The case doesn't matter there either.

[Oldherkpilot]

You might need a shorter front sight for special loads.

Wait, my light loads always shoot high. Am I doing something wrong?

[BN]

When we were shooting cowboy, I loaded 6.2 of Unique over a 200 grain round nose flat point lead bullet. It shoots really soft out of my Rossi carbine and Vaquero. Then there was the load with 25 grains of Pyrodex P over the same bullet. ;) I think that might have duplicated the original 44 Russian load. 44 Special brass for all the loads.

[Boxcarman]

Oregon Bullets have informed me that my bullets are on the way. I do have a few of the powders you guys have suggested like Red Dot, Blue Dot, Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol and a couple more. One other thing, I was wondering about using the .44 special cases in the mag cylinder because of the carbon buildup. I was thinking .44 special cases because of powder capacity in the larger mag case would not be desirable. But with bulkier powder that may not be an issue. Maybe I will stick with the mag brass. Boy this is going to be great playing with all of these powder/ bullet combinations. I'll be shooting for weeks. LOL. I also have a nice selection of primers, so do any of you prefer one over the other? I doubt a mag primer will be necessary for any of these loads. I did have a gun once that produced light strikes and switched to federal primers and the problem went away. Once again thanks for all of your suggestions and loads you have provided. It's appreciated.

[revchuck38]

I don't think the gun's going to care which cases you use, just be careful to load the Specials with Special data and the Magnums with Magnum data. I've got one .44 Special and one .44 Magnum and enough brass for each to have its own load. This thread has reminded me that I need to burn through my old .44 Mag hunting loads so I can download the Mag cases to more reasonable levels for my 69-year-old self who no longer hunts.

Concern about residue from shooting Special ammo in Magnum chambers is overblown, IMHO. It comes out easily with a chamber brush.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I have a model 29 that I enjoy shooting very much, but after a few rounds of 240grs at 1100-1200 I have to set it down for awhile. I picked up a couple of hundred .44 Special brass in the hopes of coming up with a reduce load that will allow me to shoot this revolver more. To reduce the recoil I have settled on Oregon Trails 200gr cast bullet. Looking on the net I've only seen three powders that guys have recommended Red Dot, Titegroup and Power Pistol. You guys that shoot the .44 Special, what combination do you use? I was hoping to find a load that's accurate in the 700 to maybe 850 f.p.s. range. Any and all suggestions or advise is welcomed. Thank you. BCM

Outpost75 should have some very solid information for you when he sees this!

[Outpost75]

I have a model 29 that I enjoy shooting very much, but after a few rounds of 240grs at 1100-1200 I have to set it down for awhile. I picked up a couple of hundred .44 Special brass in the hopes of coming up with a reduce load that will allow me to shoot this revolver more. To reduce the recoil I have settled on Oregon Trails 200gr cast bullet. Looking on the net I've only seen three powders that guys have recommended Red Dot, Titegroup and Power Pistol. You guys that shoot the .44 Special, what combination do you use? I was hoping to find a load that's accurate in the 700 to maybe 850 f.p.s. range. Any and all suggestions or advise is welcomed. Thank you. BCM

There is no need to use .44 Special brass unless you want to use it for positive load identification. The .44 Magnum has very close to the same powder capacity as the .44-40 Winchester and the same mild loads recommended for older .44-40 revolvers and black powder action rifles can be used without issue in .44 Magnum brass, provided you use bullets of proper diameter which "fit" the cylinder throats.

Soft alloy of 8-10 BHN will work best. While 200-grain bullets will reduce recoil, point of impact in revolvers will be lower.

5.5-6.0 grains of Trail Boss, Bullseye, TiteGroup, 700-X, WST or Red Dot are all safe minimum starting loads with 200-230-grain bullets giving about 750-800 fps from typical revolvers. I do not recommend slower-burning flake powders such as Unique in minimum reduced load applications below 14,000 psi because ignition will be erratic, given the amount of free airspace in the case, and combustion will not be complete.

The above charges can also be used in .44 Special brass for use in a strong revolver like your S&W Model 29, but in the smaller-capacity case should be considered "full charge" loads.

[sparkyv]

I loaded up 200 rounds of 44Spcl before I realized I could load essentially the same load using 44Mag brass. I'm done loading 44Spcl once I'm done shooting those up.

Forget the Special cases.

44RM Cat Sneezes: 200gr Brazos Precision RNFP over 6.9gr Universal gives me 775fps in my 6.5" M629, and is pretty accurate for me. I use them to warm up for full house magnum loads.



Nope. Slower velocity = longer barrel time. Projectile stays in the rising barrel longer, so POI is high.

Wait, my light loads always shoot high. Am I doing something wrong?

[Lost River]

Lost River



As long as you scrub your gun every now and then, it won't care in the least bit about whether or not you are using Russian cases, Special cases, or Magnum cases. I use all three , and just like shooting .38 Specials in .357s for decades, it has never been an issue.

There are a BUNCH of powders that will do what you ask.

5 grains of Titegroup will get you about 775 FPS with a 200 grain bullet and recoil will be like shooting light .38 wadcutters.

6 grains of Unique is another good one, at around 775, depending on barrel length



Also you may find this thread of value:

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?46855-How-to-turn-a-44-Mag-into-a-45-ACP!


It is about loading light .44 Russian loads for .44 mags/Specials.

https://i.imgur.com/v6ltHLv.jpg?1



https://i.imgur.com/IsmU8QR.jpg?1