I picked up a Ruger SBH, 44 magnum with a 10.5" barrel last week and plan on reloading for it. I've never loaded handgun ammo and wondered what you guys use in the way of powders, bullets and primers. The guy at a LGS said powder availability was spotty at best for handguns but I did see some CFE pistol powder. Any advice is appreciated.
44 mag reloads
- Thread starter Tnslim
- Start date
nastynatesfish
Active member
Depends what you can find. I've seen 2400 online a few times and h110 a bit. Both of those are your go to powders imo. I use unique also but it's not as fast and I run 13gr behind a 240 cast or jhp. Really biggest deal is to watch your charged cases. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHARGE/HAVE 1CHARGE ONLY before seating a bullet. I like 2400 because you can't double charge a round without spilling powder.
nastynatesfish
Active member
Look on www.3rdgss.com for some powder. Or powdervalley.com
tomcat388th
New member
I've reloaded for the 44 for quite a few years. H110, 2400 and Imr 4227 are my 3 main powders that I use for it. This was my fathers gun and i loaded 240 grain xtp for him with h110. I now shoot a lee 310 grain cast lead for myself in it now. The only bullet I would stay away from for anything larger than a coyote is nosler. Very accurate bullet but way to soft for deer size especilly if you tangle with a shoulder bone tends to splash.
Bearcat 74
New member
I use 2400 and H110 for full power loads with 240 jacketed, 275 cast, 300 cast and 310 cast.
I use Unique, AA #5 for mid range with those bullets.
I use Bullseye, Red Dot, and 700X for mild plinkers with 240-250 cast.
I use Unique, AA #5 for mid range with those bullets.
I use Bullseye, Red Dot, and 700X for mild plinkers with 240-250 cast.
Steve_in_PA
New member
I've owned and reloaded my 9.5" SRH for about 25 years now and the only things I've used has been H110/W296, CCI 350 primers, Remington brass and Hornady 240 or 300 grain XTP's.
A couple of years ago I picked up a 7.5" SBH and I use the same components, although the SBH seems to like the 200 grain XTP's the best.
A couple of years ago I picked up a 7.5" SBH and I use the same components, although the SBH seems to like the 200 grain XTP's the best.
I managed to pickup a lb of H110, a box of Hornady 240 XTP's and some Winchester magnum primers today. I also wanted some lighter bullets but only 240's were available. I'm using a single stage press and I size, prime, charge then seat one at a time just to be safe. If the weather cooperates I'll hit the range within the next week or so. Thanks for all the good info.
Rustydust
Active member
I began reloading the .44 Mag back in 1973. A pound of 2400 was around $4 as was a box of Sierra 240 grain JHC bullets. A flat of CCI 350 primers were 79 cents. And I loaded a ton of ammo. My load back then is way over what the books publish now. Over 1500 fps. Elmer Keith would have been proud.
Now, wow, much more subdued. I shoot less .44 mag a year now than what I used to shoot in a week back then even though I have 4 of them. I just cannot take the pounding anymore like I used to. Funny that, huh?
But if I wanted to load some real gee-whiz boomers now I guess that I would just go back to 2400 again. Works just as good today as it did back then and trust me- back then it worked really really well.
Now, wow, much more subdued. I shoot less .44 mag a year now than what I used to shoot in a week back then even though I have 4 of them. I just cannot take the pounding anymore like I used to. Funny that, huh?
But if I wanted to load some real gee-whiz boomers now I guess that I would just go back to 2400 again. Works just as good today as it did back then and trust me- back then it worked really really well.
Originally Posted By: nastynatesfishDepends what you can find. I've seen 2400 online a few times and h110 a bit. Both of those are your go to powders imo. I use unique also but it's not as fast and I run 13gr behind a 240 cast or jhp. Really biggest deal is to watch your charged cases. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHARGE/HAVE 1CHARGE ONLY before seating a bullet. I like 2400 because you can't double charge a round without spilling powder.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
cherokeetracker
New member
Originally Posted By: TnslimI picked up a Ruger SBH, 44 magnum with a 10.5" barrel last week and plan on reloading for it. I've never loaded handgun ammo and wondered what you guys use in the way of powders, bullets and primers. The guy at a LGS said powder availability was spotty at best for handguns but I did see some CFE pistol powder. Any advice is appreciated.
You have been given good advise on loads and powders. Do use the magnum primers with the H110. For powders like 2400, 4227 and Unique, and AA powders use the Winchester large pistol primers. I do not like the CFE powder, for pistols. Hodgdon did tell me in January 2015 that this was the last year that Winchester 231 was going to be made. Also that CFE was going to replace it. this sucks.
Now when it comes to the Unique loads I do not go very hot. If I want to go hot then switch powders.
H110 gives hottest loads use magnum primers
2400 medium to hot
4227 same as 2400
Unique for mild loads
Green dot 800-950 FPS loads with a 250 grain cast
Blue Dot hotter loads. use of magnum primers gives better performance especially in colder weather.
I know that the Dot powders are shotgun powders But they work well in some pistols. Actually Unique can even cross over for shotguns or pistols.Blue dot can do all three,,, shotgun, rifle, and pistol.
As you will learn, There are many variables in the pistols shooting, game or Hunting. I prefer Cast Bullets, but will not refuse to use a Hornady XTP You are going to have to do a lot of shooting, trying this powder and that powder, and this and that bullet. YOUR gun will decide what it likes best. You could be given at least 20 different favorite loads and then none of them perform well in your gun.
Start off shooting the Winchesters that come in the white box and say "made In USA" on it. This will give you and idea of what the gun will do and what to expect. If you think you want to shoot cast bullets, then start off with some good but inexpensive bullets from
mattsbullets.com He has several Keith style bullets and even a Ray Thompson bullet. 240,265,300 grain
If you are going to shoot for accuracy and are going to use a rest be SURE the BUTT of the gun is NOT sitting on the bench. It will string the shots and they will climb in a vertical string.
Getting loads perfected can sometimes be work but the rewards are great. Good luck.
You have been given good advise on loads and powders. Do use the magnum primers with the H110. For powders like 2400, 4227 and Unique, and AA powders use the Winchester large pistol primers. I do not like the CFE powder, for pistols. Hodgdon did tell me in January 2015 that this was the last year that Winchester 231 was going to be made. Also that CFE was going to replace it. this sucks.
Now when it comes to the Unique loads I do not go very hot. If I want to go hot then switch powders.
H110 gives hottest loads use magnum primers
2400 medium to hot
4227 same as 2400
Unique for mild loads
Green dot 800-950 FPS loads with a 250 grain cast
Blue Dot hotter loads. use of magnum primers gives better performance especially in colder weather.
I know that the Dot powders are shotgun powders But they work well in some pistols. Actually Unique can even cross over for shotguns or pistols.Blue dot can do all three,,, shotgun, rifle, and pistol.
As you will learn, There are many variables in the pistols shooting, game or Hunting. I prefer Cast Bullets, but will not refuse to use a Hornady XTP You are going to have to do a lot of shooting, trying this powder and that powder, and this and that bullet. YOUR gun will decide what it likes best. You could be given at least 20 different favorite loads and then none of them perform well in your gun.
Start off shooting the Winchesters that come in the white box and say "made In USA" on it. This will give you and idea of what the gun will do and what to expect. If you think you want to shoot cast bullets, then start off with some good but inexpensive bullets from
mattsbullets.com He has several Keith style bullets and even a Ray Thompson bullet. 240,265,300 grain
If you are going to shoot for accuracy and are going to use a rest be SURE the BUTT of the gun is NOT sitting on the bench. It will string the shots and they will climb in a vertical string.
Getting loads perfected can sometimes be work but the rewards are great. Good luck.
Widow maker 223
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: DoublessOriginally Posted By: nastynatesfishDepends what you can find. I've seen 2400 online a few times and h110 a bit. Both of those are your go to powders imo. I use unique also but it's not as fast and I run 13gr behind a 240 cast or jhp. Really biggest deal is to watch your charged cases. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHARGE/HAVE 1CHARGE ONLY before seating a bullet. I like 2400 because you can't double charge a round without spilling powder.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Looks fine to me.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Looks fine to me.
biggen0_8
New member
Originally Posted By: Widow maker 223Originally Posted By: DoublessOriginally Posted By: nastynatesfishDepends what you can find. I've seen 2400 online a few times and h110 a bit. Both of those are your go to powders imo. I use unique also but it's not as fast and I run 13gr behind a 240 cast or jhp. Really biggest deal is to watch your charged cases. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHARGE/HAVE 1CHARGE ONLY before seating a bullet. I like 2400 because you can't double charge a round without spilling powder.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Looks fine to me.
Not for Unique it isn't. Look again.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Looks fine to me.
Not for Unique it isn't. Look again.
Originally Posted By: Widow maker 223Originally Posted By: DoublessOriginally Posted By: nastynatesfishDepends what you can find. I've seen 2400 online a few times and h110 a bit. Both of those are your go to powders imo. I use unique also but it's not as fast and I run 13gr behind a 240 cast or jhp. Really biggest deal is to watch your charged cases. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHARGE/HAVE 1CHARGE ONLY before seating a bullet. I like 2400 because you can't double charge a round without spilling powder.
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Looks fine to me.
You didn't give the name of the manual (or the edition...) but that appears to be from the Hornady #2 manual. If so, that manual has since been revised about six times.
I would sincerely suggest you check the newest manual and look at the loadings from it... Pressure testing and cartridge pressure determinations have come light years since the time of the second edition (if that is what it is...), and the numbers have been adjusted down accordingly.
Be safe, and have fun! But BE SAFE!
Please tell us which manual you are loading from. I have checked three of mine, and the heaviest powder charge I can find for Unique and a 240-grain projectile of any kind is 10.3 grains. If that is correct, you are at almost a 30% overload, just begging for trouble.
Looks fine to me.
You didn't give the name of the manual (or the edition...) but that appears to be from the Hornady #2 manual. If so, that manual has since been revised about six times.
I would sincerely suggest you check the newest manual and look at the loadings from it... Pressure testing and cartridge pressure determinations have come light years since the time of the second edition (if that is what it is...), and the numbers have been adjusted down accordingly.
Be safe, and have fun! But BE SAFE!
I was always happy with my 265gr cast Keith boolit and a heavy dose of H-110 with magnum primers. The Beartooth LBT 300-310gr pills shot very well too.
A friend of mine has been using Accurate #9 and he claims it shoots very similar to 2400.
The .44 magnum is a good one to start with, it's very versatile.
A friend of mine has been using Accurate #9 and he claims it shoots very similar to 2400.
The .44 magnum is a good one to start with, it's very versatile.
Originally Posted By: Lefty SRHHS-6 shot well also but make sure you only drop one charge. An accidental double charge won't spill out of the case.
I use a single stage press. I size and prime however many rounds I intend to do. Change from sizing to seating die, measure and weigh each load, dump weighed powder into case then seat bullet. If you follow that regimen no mistakes.
I use a single stage press. I size and prime however many rounds I intend to do. Change from sizing to seating die, measure and weigh each load, dump weighed powder into case then seat bullet. If you follow that regimen no mistakes.
joed
New member
Originally Posted By: Doubless
Pressure testing and cartridge pressure determinations have come light years since the time of the second edition (if that is what it is...), and the numbers have been adjusted down accordingly.
Be safe, and have fun! But BE SAFE!
Did you know that SAAMI revolver data is not fired in a vented barrel? Because of that they lowered the pressure.
Powders burn faster? If that were the case they would have to change the name of the powder.
I'm not defending hot loads but I'd bet those older manuals still have good loads in them, as long as you work up to it.
Pressure testing and cartridge pressure determinations have come light years since the time of the second edition (if that is what it is...), and the numbers have been adjusted down accordingly.
Be safe, and have fun! But BE SAFE!
Did you know that SAAMI revolver data is not fired in a vented barrel? Because of that they lowered the pressure.
Powders burn faster? If that were the case they would have to change the name of the powder.
I'm not defending hot loads but I'd bet those older manuals still have good loads in them, as long as you work up to it.
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