310 gr Hardcast Load Data in .44 Mag?

Zastava223rem

Zastava223rem

Member
Got a box of 310 gr Hardcast .44 cal bullets somewhere along the line and was gonna load them for a 5" Smith 629. I don't need Tyrannosaurus Rex level power but want to make use of them for what they are intended for.

My problem is I cant find any good load data for the bullet. I want to use H110/W296 and it can be quite finicky. 0.5 grain one way or the other and it can get dangerous quick so I dont want to pick a 325 gr load and start from there like I normally would.

Anybody on here with experience or know of any good links?
 
Lyman cast bullet reloading Manuel has loads of good info.
I use a Lyman 300 gr mold for my 44 and load the same powder works good very accurate.
 
I have loaded pounds and pounds of H110/296 over the years in 44 magnum. I never found it to be spikey.
Heavy loads in a SW will wear on it a lot faster than say a Ruger.

Imho “hard cast” are way over rated for the most part for 99% of usage for most hunting applications. The label was meant more for selling than anything.
Proper size will go way further towards accuracy than hardness, when cast bullets are used.
I and a close friend along with many others have found the hard cast to skid into the rifling rather than grab, grip and spin, you then have the start of a leading problem. A softer alloy will slug up and grab, even if +or- sized.

Not wanting to run full tilt “magnum loads” has not been a good use for H110/296 in my findings. It likes and thrives on pressure.
I would advise to look at another powder. I would point you towards 2400 myself, a proven performer in the 44 magnum since an interesting gent name of Elmer Keith came up with the 44 Magnum. I would say 14-15 grains would show you 11-1200 FPS.
Also, you may want to load a dummy or two and make sure you have enough cylinder length. I have seen some mold designs that are a hair to long for a SW cylinder. Don’t be afraid to crimp them either.

Some say 2400 is dirty. I have yet to figure when folks quit cleaning their firearms. A little Hoppe s #9 and will come right off.
 
Originally Posted By: jsh An interesting gent name of Elmer Keith came up with the 44 Magnum.

Actually, old Elmer (and others) were wanting some ammo maker to factory produce his favorite load of 17.5 grains of 2400 with his 250 grain LSWC bullet in the .44 Special. But ammo makers had lawyers back then too and they did not want anyone blowing up any old guns with that stout of load. So Remington and S&W got together and said why dont we just make the case a wee bit longer, like the .357 Mag is to the .38 Special, and just go for a bigger stronger gun? Remington said if you make the gun we well make the ammo and S&W said if you make the ammo we will make the gun and the rest is history. I guess that Keith had some influence with it, but there were a lot of gun writers that wanted something like this. 65 years ago now since the first one came out. I guess that it will be around a while longer.
 


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