meborder
08-17-2010, 03:15 AM
Hello all,
I'm new here and fairly new to handloading, but having a lot of fun learning!
I would like some input on 44 mag hand loads. I am currently loading a hard cast 240gr LSWC by sutter's choice (from scheel's), Alliant Blue Dot powder (14.0gn) and CCI primers. (I'm using blue dot only because i had it for some shotgun loads i was working up and saw it would work for the 44mag)
These are being shot through two different pistols with very different results.
#1 - Ruger Vaquero 5.5" bbl (fixed sight)
#2 - Taurus 44SS4 4" ported (actually 3")
in the Ruger, the blue-dot loads solved my pistol's tendency to shoot off POA, so that's good. But they seem rather soft in comparison to any of the better store bought loads (I've tried remington 180's, federal 240's, Winchester 240's, and Blazer 240's). I'd actually compare them to the blazer's as far as power (noticeably softer).
in the Taurus, they appear to be melting lead and depositing it on the front sight adjacent to the ports (very hard to clean off). Also, with the shorter barrel, there are often flakes of un-burnt powder left on your hands after shooting. it also seems rather "smokey" when shooting.
going by my Lymann reloading manual (The current one sold at scheel's) for a LSWC 240gr 14.5gn of blue dot is the Max load for this combo.
I had thought about using Accurate Arms #9 powder, but it is a slower powder than the blue dot. Ive heard some rave about H110, unique, and 2400.
The goal is to "clean up" the way the taurus shoots (not leading the front sight would be a major plus), and still shoot well through the ruger. I don't need a Max Effort load, but a "full power" comparable to a Winchester or Federal would be quite fine.
thought? recommendations, different powders or charge weights to try?
thanks for the help!
Mike B
I'm new here and fairly new to handloading, but having a lot of fun learning!
I would like some input on 44 mag hand loads. I am currently loading a hard cast 240gr LSWC by sutter's choice (from scheel's), Alliant Blue Dot powder (14.0gn) and CCI primers. (I'm using blue dot only because i had it for some shotgun loads i was working up and saw it would work for the 44mag)
These are being shot through two different pistols with very different results.
#1 - Ruger Vaquero 5.5" bbl (fixed sight)
#2 - Taurus 44SS4 4" ported (actually 3")
in the Ruger, the blue-dot loads solved my pistol's tendency to shoot off POA, so that's good. But they seem rather soft in comparison to any of the better store bought loads (I've tried remington 180's, federal 240's, Winchester 240's, and Blazer 240's). I'd actually compare them to the blazer's as far as power (noticeably softer).
in the Taurus, they appear to be melting lead and depositing it on the front sight adjacent to the ports (very hard to clean off). Also, with the shorter barrel, there are often flakes of un-burnt powder left on your hands after shooting. it also seems rather "smokey" when shooting.
going by my Lymann reloading manual (The current one sold at scheel's) for a LSWC 240gr 14.5gn of blue dot is the Max load for this combo.
I had thought about using Accurate Arms #9 powder, but it is a slower powder than the blue dot. Ive heard some rave about H110, unique, and 2400.
The goal is to "clean up" the way the taurus shoots (not leading the front sight would be a major plus), and still shoot well through the ruger. I don't need a Max Effort load, but a "full power" comparable to a Winchester or Federal would be quite fine.
thought? recommendations, different powders or charge weights to try?
thanks for the help!
Mike B