Reloading help for the .44 Mag

Question

I would like to know of what powder any of you have had the best luck with, I want FULL power magnum loads, not .44 Special loadings, I've been looking at Hodgdon H110 and Winchester 296, and Lil' Gun, does anyone have any experience with these powders, by the way the gun is a Ruger Vaquero, 5 1/2" bbl. Stainless Steel, also does anyone know if the Vaquero is as strong as the Super Blackhawk/ Blackhawk?, I remember seeing in reloading manuals a few years back, sections for Ruger/TC only, and now that I've decided to start reloading I can't find these loads specifically for Rugers, I own the newest Hornady, and the newest Lyman manuals, I'm thinking of using 180-200 gr. JHPs, I like the extreme velocity/energy of the lighter bullets. Thanks in advance for any knowledge to this newbie.

Answer 1

I use unique with a 240 gr  cast bullet

Answer 2

I think you'll find both 296 and H110 very satisfactory. I don't think you're doing yourself any favors by being fascinated with velocities, though. The bullets of 260-300 grains' weight are the thing for hunting medium and larger game and will work quite well, and you can put off buying the mega-magnum.You'll also find that plain hard cast bullets will work for hunting. We forget that small-bore rifle bullets have to expand to produce a large wound channel, but forty-somethings are already that big, so there really isn't a need for it to expand.

As others have mentioned, the original Vaquero's ARE Blackhawks, but they now make a 3/4 size Vaquero, so it'll matter which you have.

Answer 3

Hey Dude, I think you're wanting to reload for the wrong reason. Sounds like you want to get the kick, not the accuracy or the velocity. Remember, reloading is dangerous, and you can hurt yourself badly if you are not sensible. If you have any doubt about what your loads should be, or the capability of your gun, back off before you have an accident. Unfortunately I have no experience with the components that you mention, but have been reloading for 35 years, and have learned some lessons. Please be careful.

Answer 4

The vast majority of my .44 RemMag reloads have been made with Unique.  I won't share the powder charge since with the reformulated Unique it is considered to be an "above maximum" load.

I've used some Win 296, and some of my friends have bragged about their results with Lil Gun and Tite Group, but Unique has always been my standard powder for the .44 RemMag, and .44 S&W SPL.

Some folks complain about Unique being a really dirty powder, but I've not had much trouble in that area.  I find that Unique burns cleaner when you use a heavy roll crimp rather than a light taper crimp.  I also don't have bullets jumping the crimp when I use a heavy roll crimp.

Doc

Answer 5

I've reloaded .44 Mag with W296, and it does a fine job.  I just rely on the load data, and haven't tried clocking the speed.  Bullets have always been some form of 240 gr. jacketed.  IIRC, velocities were in the 1200 fps range based on the data.  Also, accuracy was always quite good.

Answer 6

Alliant 2400 plainly states on the label that it is Smokeless MAGNUM handgun powder. Consult with any number of reloading manuals, or online manufacturer resources for the correct load data.

Answer 7

I reload for my 9.5 inch Super redhawk. I use H110.

The reason I use it, is that it gives me an accurate round for the handgun, and also works the best for my Marlin 1894SS.

Consult your own data for a recipe, but I put out a 280 grain rfpgc hard cast bullet(cast bought from LBT), at 1350fps. I am close to max, but can go hotter, but why. This is a hot round and very accurate.

In the Marlin, I use a 300 grain rfpgc hard cast lead(also a LBT cast), and push 1700 fps. This is an accurate deer slayer.

The reason I use two different casts to cast my bullets, is that the Marlin works better if sized to .432 as opposed to .429 in the Ruger.

I will say that the 296 works well too as does h4227, but I chose the 110 as that it is so common, and available.

If you do not cast your own, might I suggest looking into Lead Bullet Technologies casted bullets. I dont like the lighter bullets, as that they do not penitrate as deep as a heavy round flat point hard cast does.  And remember that hard cast lead produces less pressure than a jacketed bullet does under the same charge.

Don't get lost in energy. Its a mathamatical formula that does not always give the best idea of killing power. A 300 grain hard cast bullet will punch deeper going 1200fps, than a 225 going 1600 fps, and I dont care what the energy level is.  I have seen it in deer time and time again.

If you want to see what a cast can do, look at Buffalo Bore Ammunition's web site. They push a 340gr hard cast out of your Ruger at 1400 fps. WOW!!!

PS Never mind the dope who frowns on reloading. You will get the best ammo ever if you take your time.

Answer 8

The original model Ruger Vaquero is a fixed sight variation of the Blackhawk and falls under the "Blackhawk" classification, as is the Ruger Bisley version of the Blackhawk. These are cosmetic variations capable of handling the same pressure as the standard Blackhawk, and fall under the general heading of "Ruger Blackhawk revolvers." The "New Model" Vaquero, introduced at the end of 2004 primarily for cowboy action shooters (who use only low pressure loads), is built on a smaller frame--much like a Colt SAA--and is not recommended for high pressure loads (Chuck Hawks)

http://www.chuckhawks.com/high-pressure4...

http://www.reloadammo.com/44loads.htm

http://www.reloadammo.com/reload.htm

http://www.hodgdon.com/

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/P...

Answer 9

I have loaded several thousand 44 magnum rounds, and I have a pet powder for each bullet weight.  For my squid loads of  250 g hard cast I use Blue Dot because it is really clean burning.  I load up to 1000 fps for these.  I do not use 180-200 grain bullets at all.  For 240 grain hollow points, I use H110.  It seems to give consistent velocity in the 1350 range with my Ruger Redhawk, as well a excellent accuracy.  When loading the real bad boys, 300-320 g hard cast I use WW 296.  I have chrono'd 1360 without pressure signs.  One thing you have to remember, is that with true magnum loads, the cases need a firm roll crimp.  This does 2 things, keeps the bullets in the round under heavy recoil, and retards bullet exit to achieve a better burn on a magnum powder.  

You notice I did not list any powder charges.  Each gun is different with chamber size and responds different than other guns of the same make and caliber.

Read your manuals closely, and do not jump stright to the max listed loads.  Reduce by at least 10 % and work higher gradually, checking always for high pressure signs with each load.  At the top end just a 01 or 0.2 of a grain can make a big difference.  

Read about pressure signs to know what to look for.  

As info, the reason I do not use 180-200 grain bullets is that my Rugers are more accurate with the heavy bullets.  

Answer 10

I have handloaded the 44 Mag for 20 years and am a master bulletsmith.  My best velocities have been with H-110.  

However, with that tiny 5 1/2 inch barrel you will never reach full magnum potential FPS.  If you want full magnum power - you need a 7.5" barrel or longer to reach published velocities.

Your Vaquero is more a show gun - nice firearm - but not designed for heavy duty use.  That's why it has the short barrel.  It is not a Redhawk, Blackhawk or S&W 29.  You do not want to run the T/C loads through the Vaquero - unless you want to kill it.  After 400+ rounds of hot mag loads expect the timing to go off and the trigger will start to drag.  Eventually one or two cylinders will begin to bind - and that will be the end of it, until it blows up.

Handloaders/reloaders that start making thier own ammo to squeak additional performance from a gun not meant to do it -  these are the guys you read about who blow up their guns.  You are doing the right thing for the wrong reason....... I highly recommend you re-think your  logic behind handloading before you end up in the emergency room with parts of your body still somewhere at the range.

What you CAN do with the Vaquero is throw cast bullets at near magnum velocities without harming the firearm.  This is a totally different tactic - and - makes shooting the 44 Mag dirt cheap.  Lyman makes a 265 gr mould - (there are others) and when you cast the bullets with a mix of mostly lead and a little tin and nickel - you get a very heavy, hard bullet that has near magnum penetration at only 10% the cost of jacketed ammo.  Lee makes a press mounted 44 cal sizer die - $16 or so - properly used it makes casting a lot easeir without the need for a $300 sizer press and additonal dies.

Done right - cast bullets can be just as devistating in large magnum pistols as factory ammo.  

Hope this helps.

Answer 11

Asking this type of question in here tells that you have no experience in this and your going to get hurt or hurt some one else. Its best you stick with store bought shells and forget about reloading your self.  Now you can take the emtys to a pro and have it done and ask his opinion as to the reloads you want.  

I had a 44mag and if you s***w up the mix of powder and head size you will wind up with a face full of steel. It has to be right to work in the 44mags.

Try gun shops for best results of what you are looking for .