Anyone loading 44 Special or Russian?

[38ExtraSpecial]

Just started loading loading 44 Special and realized with the new carrier I can cycle 44 Russians in my 1894.
Anyone have pet loads?

So far I think I was going with RCBS 44-250K and 6.9 grains of unique.
Nice and light shooting. I’ll have to chrono them tomorrow night.

I figured it would be cool to load some 44 Russian just for something different.

 

[Knob Creek]

I use 4.5 Gr of Tightgroup with a 240 Gr. SWC for plinking in a Revolver.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

I use 4.5 Gr of Tightgroup with a 240 Gr. SWC for plinking in a Revolver.

Special or Russian?

 

[Knob Creek]

Special or Russian?

Special

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

Special

I have a little titegroup left. I’ll have to load a batch.

 

[gerrycaruso]

I've used Unique and Titegroup for a long time but lately I've been using BE-86. It seems to be very similar to Unique but meters much better.

 

[NavelOfficer]

Since I sold my Redhawk, I'm not loading .44 anymore. I know I have some .44 Russian brass hanging around.
There is a source for MP-75 powder that is comparable to TiteGroup apparently.
I used to load the Lee 208 WC and most other bullets (180g to 240g) in .44 Special, but never had a specific pet load. Usually, I loaded book loads with whatever suitable powders that I had on hand.
I don't think Lee still lists the 429-208-WC mold.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

I've used Unique and Titegroup for a long time but lately I've been using BE-86. It seems to be very similar to Unique but meters much better.

I've been meaning to try that powder. Looks like a winner for sure. Slow enough to do all the middle magnum work.

Since I sold my Redhawk, I'm not loading .44 anymore. I know I have some .44 Russian brass hanging around.
There is a source for MP-75 powder that is comparable to TiteGroup apparently.
I used to load the Lee 208 WC and most other bullets (180g to 240g) in .44 Special, but never had a specific pet load. Usually, I loaded book loads with whatever suitable powders that I had on hand.
I don't think Lee still lists the 429-208-WC mold.

@1919FAN Has a nice 200ish wadcutter mould that I need to borrow. Also the pointy 429303 AKA Hi-Velo-Pen designed to shoot through steel such as car doors.
Lyman 429303

 

[NavelOfficer]

Don't know about the Lyman 429303, but the semi-jacketed bullets in .30 caliber make interesting shapes on lead ingots...

 

[Gusp]

I've used Trail Boss, W231, and Unique, and mostly use Unique. The burning characteristics seems well-suited to the cartridge and the large flakes work well in the big case. Powder coated and plated RNFP both work well. I'm not sure whether to standardize on 200 or 240 grain bullets, but my Bulldog seems to shoot closer to point of aim with the 240 gr. so far. I still want to do some experimenting.

 

[NavelOfficer]

Just looking through cast bullet data on Shooter's World load data...(Clean Shot):

__________________min. fps pf__ COL max. fps
44 Special 200gr RN 2.00 446 89 1.430 5.40 927 14,769

 

[TrashcanDan]

Data's not in front of me, but I was having real good luck with unique in .44 spl with 240 gr anything. I want to say it was close to 7 gr?
Out of a 6 inch 629, my wife would shoot them all day long.
For a carbine and a longer barrel, maybe try something slower burning?
One of the books I have has specific load data for carbine rifles, Hornady and maybe the lymans cast.

 

[EddieCoyle]