Anybody got loads for 44 mag -Red Dot Powder-250 Cast? Trying to work up mild load. Can't find a lot on this. Would like to know if any one has had experience working up Red Dot loads...(have a lot on hand).
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Anybody got loads for 44 mag -Red Dot Powder-250 Cast? Trying to work up mild load. Can't find a lot on this. Would like to know if any one has had experience working up Red Dot loads...(have a lot on hand).
Alliant's Reloaders' Guide lists under cowboy loads for .44mag:
240gr cast bullet
RDOT 4.8grSTART to 5.6grMAX 680-757fps
I suspect that the lack of information in other sources is because it is simply not the best powder choice for the cartridge/bullet weight. I wonder about accuracy, but of course only actual testing will give you your revolver's opinion, the only one that really matters. A mere .8gr really isn't much of a weight range to play with. Let us know how it works.
I'd keep the Red Dot in 38 specials. It is too dirty and fast burning for a 44.
iirc bryan pearce had published a load in handloader mag some time ago using red dot with the same cast boolit weight you are using.
it was definately not a low pressure cowboy load more like 7 grains.
but i am going from memory here.
my old alliant book shows a 240 with gas check going to 8.8 at 35k pressure
and a 265 jaxketed at 7.1 for the same pressure both in the 1100 fps range.
This is all I could find. I'll have to assume that these are maximum loadings. You will have to interpolate between the data for two bullet weights. No starting load was given.
240 gr. JSP 7.7 gr. 1090 FPS 35,000 P.S.I.
265 gr. JFP 7.1 gr. 1000 FPS 34,800 P.S.I.
THis data is from a 1995 Alliant reloader's guide. Probably about 7.3 gr. for your bullet should work but consider that the max. Red Dot is awfully fast for a .44 magnum.
Paul B.