(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter,FP=Flat Point, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point, (JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)
Loads for .44 Magnum:
(Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Bullet sizes vary from .429" for jacketed to .432" for some lead in diameter. Due to different barrel lengths,
type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors,
you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
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180 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Bullseye 11.5 gr. 1,520 FPS
Unique 13.0 gr. 1,550
2400 23.3 gr. 1,760
Universal 12.5 gr. 1,519
HP38 10.0 gr. 1,307
HS6 16.5 gr. 1,663
No. 2 11.1 gr. 1,444
No. 5 16.4 gr. 1,615
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200 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Bullseye 11.0 gr. 1,420 FPS
Unique 13.0 gr. 1,475
2400 23.2 gr. 1,665
Universal 12.0 gr. 1,409
HP38 9.4 gr. 1,220
HS6 15.5 gr. 1,516
No. 2 11.0 gr. 1,342
No. 5 15.8 gr. 1,532
231 11.5 gr. -----
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215 grain Lead SWC or RN + Gas Check
HP38 6.9 gr. 954
HS6 13.0 gr. 1,240
HS7 17.0 gr. 1,541
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225 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Bullseye 9.5 gr. 1,270 FPS
Unique 10.7 gr. 1,290
Unique 9.1 gr. 940 (Accuracy load)
2400 20.5 gr. 1,510
Universal 11.5 gr. 1,356
HP38 8.4 gr. 1,090
HS6 13.5 gr. 1,239
No. 2 10.5 gr. -----
No. 5 15.0 gr. -----
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240 grain Lead SWC or RN + Gas Check (GC)
Bullseye 9.8 gr. 1,175 FPS
Unique 11.8 gr. 1,255
2400 20.6 gr. 1,510
Universal 8.0 gr. 1,045 (no GC)
HP-38 7.0 gr. No chrono, mild target load
No. 2 10.0 gr. 1,280
No. 5 14.0 gr. 1,400
A 5744 24.0 gr. 1,446
231 11.0 gr. 1,285
296* 25.0 gr. 1.560*
* use magnum primers
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240 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) or JSP
Bullseye 8.9 gr. 1,215 FPS
Unique 10.3 gr. 1,250
2400 18.7 gr. 1,440
Universal 10.8 gr. 1,257
HP38 7.4 gr. 1,032
HS6 12.0 gr. 1,211
No. 2 10.0 gr. 1,250
No. 5 14.4 gr. 1,383
No. 9 20.8 gr. 1,318
A 5744 24.0 gr. 1,413
231 11.2 gr. 1,280
296* 24.0 gr. 1,430*
* use magnum primers
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250 grain Lead SWC or RN + Gas Check (GC)
Unique 8.7 gr. 925 fps
Clays 8.5 gr. 944
HP38 6.4 gr. 881
HS6 12.0 gr. 1,176 (use gas check)
HS7 13.0 gr. 1,237 (use gas check)
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250 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) or JSP
HP38 7.0 gr. 944 FPS
HS6 13.5 gr. -----
HS7 14.0 gr. -----
Universal 10.2 gr. -----
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265 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) or JFP
Bullseye 8.3 gr. 1,110 FPS
Unique 9.3 gr. 1,125
2400 17.0 gr. 1,300
Universal 10.0 gr. 1,160
HS6 13.5 gr. 1,287
HS7 14.0 gr. 1,295
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300 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) or JSP
Bullseye 7.5 gr. 955 FPS
Unique 8.3 gr. 955
2400 15.9 gr. 1,190
Universal 9.5 gr. 1,048
No. 2 9.8 gr. 1,108
No. 5 13.0 gr. 1,220
A 5744 20.0 gr. 1,191
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310 grain Lead SWC or RN + Gas Check (GC)
Bullseye 6.8 gr. 975 FPS
Unique 7.2 gr. 965
2400 13.5 gr. 1,150
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Discussion: Unique is about the best all around powder, but if you want a slower burning
powder, I suggest 2400. It can also be used effectively in rifle cartridges, like the 30-06, so it's
a good one to have for the magnum pistol loads and for rifle.
Accurate now has reintroduced XMP-5744, a slow burning, bulky powder and is good in magnum pistol loads. Get a copy of their booklet and check this powder out. It may be the best of all.
Hodgdon's Universal, HP6, HP7 and HP38 are good powders for this cartridge. Also, Accurate's #2 and #5 work well. Winchester suggest their 231 or 296. Use a magnum primer with 296. I prefer the Unique, and I also use it for .44 special, just less of it. If you have a lightweight .44 or older gun, you may want to start with 1.0 gr. less than amounts listed above, and work up to the full loads. - - - Below, are two loaded rounds. For lead bullets near 900 FPS, I recommend a GC (Gas Check), the little copper bottom on the lead bullet as below (5th item from left). For any loads over 1000 FPS, I suggest GC for sure or using a jacketed bullet. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the rifling, but it's better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot.
*
Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6, HS7 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WMR, WSF, WST, WSL, 760, 748, 231, 296 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet - - Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders' Guide (1995) - - Hodgdon's Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) - - Speer Reloading Manual, #12 - - Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition - - Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. - - VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) - - Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.
