Favorite .44Special plinking load?

Moonpie · Post by **Moonpie** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:27 pm

Got a 44 Special the other day.

Need some load recipes.

What's your favorite loads for plinking w/ cast boolits?

Houston1944 · Post by **Houston1944** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:02 pm

My S&W Mod 24 performs very well with 7.5 Power Pistol and a 180 bullet. I use 180 gr Hornady XTP and either Penn or Oregon Trail Laser Cast 180gr LFP. The Hornady has a slight edge for accuracy but due to cost I shoot mostly lead bullets.
What Model 44 special do you have?

Moonpie · Post by **Moonpie** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:53 am

Smith&Wessson 624 w/ 3inch barrel.

shooter1911 · Post by **shooter1911** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:24 pm

I've been plinking with 7.5gr of Unique and a hard cast 240gr LSW for years. Very mild and quite accurate out of my Ruger SBH and Mod 629 Mountain Gun as well.

Norm Lee · Post by **Norm Lee** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:53 am

Caliber Bullet Powder Charge fps
Weight

44 Spl 240 SWC Unique 5.5
44 Spl 240 SWC Unique 6.9 767.53
44 Spl 240 SWC Unique 7.5 910.76
44 Spl 240 SWC Unique 7.8 1002.00
44 Spl 240 SWC 2400 14.0 800.00
44 Spl 240 SWC 2400 15.5 1111.30
44 Spl 240 SWC Universal 7.5 917.50
44 Spl 240 SWC Universal 7.0
44 Spl 240 SWC Universal 6.0
44 Spl 240 SWC Universal 8.0 1002.50
44 Spl 215 SWC Unique 7.7 975.00
44 Spl 215 SWC Unique 8.9 1095.00
44 Spl 240 SWC WW 231 7.0 650.00
44 Spl 240 SWC WW 231 6.5
44 Spl 240 SWC WW 231 6.0
44 Spl 180 jhp WW 231 6.5 689.00
44 Spl 240 SWC H110 14.5
44 Spl 240 SWC H110 15.0 797.42
44 Spl 240 SWC H110 16.0 872.80
44 Spl 240 SWC H110 16.5
44 Spl 240 SWC H4227 14.5
44 Spl 240 SWC H4227 15.5
44 Spl 240 SWC H4227 15.5
44 Spl 240 SWC H4227 16.5 850.00
44 Spl 240 SWC H4227 17.5
These all worked well in my 624. The best all around performer was the 6.9 gr of Unique pushing a 240 LSWC. 231 is worth experimenting with at target velocities. There doesn't seem to be a lot to be gained using H110 and many modern sources caution its use at reduced charge weights.

Cheers,

Norm