.44 mag reloading

[lokidog]

I'm getting a Super Blackhawk this Spring and am thnking about reloading, since I can't seem to find any ammo.    

Has anyone used the Hornady 265 gr SP's?  It looks like these can be loaded to around 1400 depending on powder.  I'd like to bring this gun along in case I can get close to a bear this Spring.

I'm also looking at the 300 gr xtp's but like the higher velocity/energy of the others.

Thanks for any help.

[bear hunter]

I would use the 300 gr for bears. I use extra hard solid lead bullets for bear. It brakes bones and penetrates deep.  My  I also use 300 gn copper jacketed SP. HSM makes good bear loads in 44 mag at a good price.

[gasman]

I load 300gr for hunting and 240gr for plinking.

the 300gr has got a hell of a kick but it will stop about any thing, thats for sure 

Get the Houge grip for it, it makes a difference when shooting those 300's  and it extends the handle a little, making for a better grip on the gun.

[bear hunter]

I load 300gr for hunting and 240gr for plinking.

the 300gr has got a hell of a kick but it will stop about any thing, thats for sure 

Get the Houge grip for it, it makes a difference when shooting those 300's  and it extends the handle a little, making for a better grip on the gun.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I'm loading 300 xtps with 2400 powder. Right at max load. Hard hitter, thats for sure.

[sirmissalot]

I'm with gasman. 240s for practice 300 ls for killers. I've been packing the Barnes busters for the last couple years, have yet to put one in a bear fortunately. Mines only got a 2 1/2 inch barrel so all I do with it is sidearm mainly for bears (grizzly country in wyoming) and bigfoots.

[Huntbear]

Look at the Sierra 300 gr. JSP bullets.

They designed that bullet for bears and hogs.  It WILL NOT EXPAND on a deer rib.. but will pass clear thru.. same hole going in as going out... 

But if you want something that will hammer a bear, a hog or even an elk, it will do the job.

Load with a healthy dose of H110, seat to the cannelure, crimp good, and hang on, because they will rock your world. 

I load 240 gr. XTPs for deer and cougar type loads...   

[bugs n bones]

i use 300xtp over max load of hodgon 110 a very powerful but accurate load. killed a muley at 90 yds with it.

[mountainman]

Killed several bears up close with the XTP's, both in a .44 ruger, and loading in the .444 Marlin. will definetly do the trick!

[smdave]

I only load the Hornady 265 in my .44 Cal. I could never get the 300 to shoot accurately. I purchased some of the new 265gr FTX to try this year.

[ing]

300 grain XTP's are the most accurate out of both of my Super Blackhawks.  I've been loading 320 grain Cast Performance LBT's with great accuracy also.

[hillbilli]

I've shot deer with the xtp in 300gr.. but I have them as light as 200 as well. a lot of my .44 shooting is done with the 200gr cast ld flatpoint.. same velocity as .44-40 out of a carbine, easy recoiling. for deer size game you dont need 300gr.. but they are good to have when big critters are around. I have some 300gr belt mountain punch bullet.. never seen a  .44 bullet that penetrates more.

[lokidog]

I only load the Hornady 265 in my .44 Cal. I could never get the 300 to shoot accurately. I purchased some of the new 265gr FTX to try this year.

I might take your advice Dave, but it doesn't look like you do much with .44's.....     

Now, if I could just find some H110.....      Seems like a lot of the loads use this powder.

[carpsniperg2]

I use h110 in every one of my revolver's. It is a fantastic pistol powder.

[gasman]

I use Winchester 296 in my .44 reloads but to find more now is the problem. Only have enough for about 50 rounds 

[high country]

In a 44, if its going over 1200ish.....dont worry, regardless of size or makeup.

[buck man]

In a 44, if its going over 1200ish.....dont worry, regardless of size or makeup.

 

I killed a bear with my 240 grain xtps and it worked great. 264# er to boot at 40 yards. One shot kill. 240 grainers are more than sufficient.

[Bigshooter]

Tons of good bullets for the 44.  But probably more game has been killed with  remington 240gr softpoint than everything else combined.

[high country]

Tons of good bullets for the 44.  But probably more game has been killed with  remington 240gr softpoint than everything else combined.

But, but.....those are not 300 grain catchy named bullets. After watching the good ol' Winchester white box jsp 240's make a pass through on a buck I hit at 80ish yards and the ensuing damage, and killing another the following year with a 325gr big fat meplat hardcast.....and remembering the two hit with 300gr xtp's.....unless I was in true big bear country (Alaska) I would worry less about color and more about accuracy, reliability and function in my gun.

[lokidog]

Anyone used the Underwood Ammo?  I'm thinking of buying a box or two to use until I can find powder for reloading, oh and bullets.      I'm looking at the 240gr xtp which they are pushing at 1400fps for 1000+ ft-lbs.

I also found some 240 xtp's but a little spendy.  Noone has these bullets in stock, except as ML sabots.  I found some $7/20 which is only $35/100, not too bad compared to "normal" prices.  If purchaased, I could always use them in my ML as well.

[smdave]

240 xtp's are a good bullet in the 44. Good luck on the powder hunt.

[gasman]

Midway has .44 bullets in stock, just no powder 

[lokidog]

Midway has .44 bullets in stock, just no powder 

Only the 300gr xtp and flat nose 265gr in the Hornadys.    

[gasman]

Midway has .44 bullets in stock, just no powder 

Only the 300gr xtp and flat nose 265gr in the Hornadys.   

225 LEVERevalution. Nosler in 240 and 200 gr. along with an assortment of Barnes and Sierra 

Beggars cant be choosers right now 

Hell, how about some plastic or rubber bullets to take for bear   

 


 

[lokidog]

Not sure where you see 240's other than in 50 cal sabots, and I have found those for half the price of Midway's.  I have a 30-06 I can use instead of plastic bullets.     Closest thing would be the flat nose 265s but I am buying a box of 240's and would like to reload those if they shoot well.


I have a line on 16# OF WIN 296.  The guy says the seals are loose on both cans.  Would that be a problem if the lids have been tight?  Anyone interested in some powder if I can get a hold of this, I don't think I would use 16# in a lifetime of shooting the 44.     Please PM me and let me know what you would be willing to pay per pound so I know if I should take this guy up on it if he makes me an offer of the powder.

[smdave]

296 in the classifieds
$30.00 a pound its high but what are you going to do when you cant find it.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,120966.msg1595671/topicseen.html#new

8#'s will run you probably no less then $160.00, regular prices were $135.00 to $155.00

[lokidog]

296 in the classifieds
$30.00 a pound its high but what are you going to do when you cant find it.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,120966.msg1595671/topicseen.html#new

8#'s will run you probably no less then $160.00, regular prices were $135.00 to $155.00

Thanks

[jasnt]

265's are great,I load them with blue dot, as said the 300xtp does hold together great!!!!, I load them with w296. For plinking I load 240 swc's with 8gn of red dot pleasure to shoot.

[Bwana Bob]

Will hard cast 240gr bullets loaded between 1,100-1,200fps? work well on deer  out to 50yd? Will the Hornady 240 XPT expand at these vel's? I have a S&W 29 and don't want to beat it up shooting 300gr bullets or heavy loaded 240's.

[high country]

Will hard cast 240gr bullets loaded between 1,100-1,200fps? work well on deer  out to 50yd? Will the Hornady 240 XPT expand at these vel's? I have a S&W 29 and don't want to beat it up shooting 300gr bullets or heavy loaded 240's.

Yes th hardcast will work well.....go fat on the meplat. The xtp, I have killed with the 300 in the 1300 range and never recovered a bullet.....so my guess is absolutely.

[Bwana Bob]

Thanks HC. I've been shooting a lot of hard cast at 850-950fps so my girlfriend can shoot it. 8gr of unq and the 240gr cast shoots very well. shot some hand loaded 240 xpt's @ 1350fps and they shot well. I'm not opposed to shooting more of them for practice for hunting. I just don't want to loosen my Smith prematurely. Its a gun made in the late 70's.

[lokidog]

100 rounds of 240 gr xtp from Underwood at 1400 fps arrived yesterday.  Now if only I had the gun here to try them out....  Can't wait for turkey season for my trip to the eastside to get my gun.

[b23]

Used to shoot a Ruger Redhawk .44mag quite a lot back in the late 80's and the best bullet I ever used was Hornady 240gr. Silhouette bullets with 22.8gr of 2400 powder.  It was a pretty stout load but very accurate.  I'm not sure if Hornady still makes that bullet but the 240's I shot back then were very tough construction and would punch thru 1/2 steel plate as if they were drilled out by a drill press.  I remember shooting some 180's but they didn't shoot nearly as well as those 240's did.  My load was pretty stout, so I don't think I would start off with 22.8gr of 2400.  Always best is you work up to your load.

I've got a Win. model 94 Trapper in 44mag that I have always wanted to try some of those loads in but I'm a little concerned that Win. 94 receiver isn't strong enough.

[JackOfAllTrades]

For both my 7 1/2" Bisley SBH and my 5" RH I shoot Sierra 240hp, 240sp, 250fpg and 300gn SP with great accuracy from 296, 2400 and my favorite AA#9 powders. AA#9 is cleaner, meters better than anything, and you can load it to the hilt. Kesselring has AA#9 on the shelf.  I shoot hard cast lead pushed by 2400 for plinking (An Elmer Keith load), and only use the jacketed spendy stuff for hunting.  Even if you hit a rib or two, at 15yds, a hot loaded 300gnSP Sierra will go through a good sized blackbear. Two blood drains!
 
-Steve