44 RIFLE LOADS

[indianabob]

Anybody care to share favorite 44 mag rifle loads with say a 250 xtp? looking for 100 yard groups and muzzle velosity

Thanks, Bob

 

[Meister]

Never used that bullet but from testing 240's in a Ruger it likes H110 powder. Lower recoil as well.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Uh, there is no 250XTP in .44.

The 240 XTP is probably one of the best bullets out there for .44 Mag. H110/W296/AA#9/5744/2400 are your best choices for powder. Most members here will not quote their load data - Work it up. All of these powders perform best at or near max, and H110/W296 is especially troublesome in reduced loads.

 

[Aaronhome27]

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Hum, got that out of the way. I can tell you I tried all kinds of loads and my H&R is very accurate with 23.5 Gr of H110 under a 240 XTP using a Winchester LP primer. This is not close to max load but if I went with more powder it was dirty and less accurate. Out of my rifle this load does extremely well with 1" +/- moa at 100 yards.

 

[indianabob]

thanks for the replies...i actually meant 240 gr for the 44 cal...i shoot a 250 grain in my savage ml10 duplex load of smokeless powder and it rocks..

 

[jghelton]

Disclaimer: You assume all risk, responsibility and liability whatsoever for any and all injuries (including death), losses or damages to persons or property (including consequential damages), arising from the use of any data, whether or not occasioned by publisher's negligence or based on strict liability or principles of indemnity or contribution. I neither assumes nor authorize any person to assume for it any liability in connection with the use of any data.

Hum, got that out of the way. I can tell you I tried all kinds of loads and my H&R is very accurate with 23.5 Gr of H110 under a 240 XTP using a Winchester LP primer. This is not close to max load but if I went with more powder it was dirty and less accurate. Out of my rifle this load does extremely well with 1" +/- moa at 100 yards.

aaron had to bump up my load another 1 gr didnt ya lol

 

[hammer24]

I shoot 24.5 gr. or 25 gr. H110 with the 240xtp. *APPROACH WITH CAUTION* I've seen max book of 24.5-25.5. Do a load workup and start with about 23 gr. work up in .5 gr. increments and see what works best. My rifle didn't start grouping well until I got above 24 gr.

 

[kludge]

As mentioned, H110 (and W296... same powder different can) is a great powder for max loads, and it works best at/near max. It's also best to use magnum primers... all the load books I have seen use magnum primers for H110. It might not matter at temps in the 70's, but when it's below freezing, you don't want a squib or a hangfire that could ruin your hunt.

2400 is a more forgiving powder and work with standard primers, but usually runs ~100fps behind max H110/W296 loads.

Check your rifle twist. The Marlins for instance have a 1:38" twist and won't stabilize anything heavier than say a 260-ish grain bullet. If your twist rate is more like a handgun twist (say 1:18" to 1:20") you will be able to use the 300gr XTP. As far as I know all rifles are made with the 1:38 twist rate which is a big mistake, IMO

Hodgdon lists 23.0gr to start and 24.0gr max of H110 (or W296) for the 240gr Nosler JHP for 1750-1817fps from a 20" barrel. Alliant lists 20.0gr max (18.0gr start) of 2400 for the 240gr Gold Dot JHP.

 

[indianabob]

thanks for the info!!! i have a m7744 and am not overly impressed at my groups at 100 yrds this is the second m7744 i have had i gave the first one to my dad for fathersday and i know it shot tons better...was thinking of going with a encore rifle with the 44 mag should be tighter groups

 

[rimfire_crazed]

thanks for the info!!! i have a m7744 and am not overly impressed at my groups at 100 yrds this is the second m7744 i have had i gave the first one to my dad for fathersday and i know it shot tons better...was thinking of going with a encore rifle with the 44 mag should be tighter groups

Possibly, but T/C is not chambering rifle length barrels in .44 Mag. You'll have to order one from Match Grade Machine, SSK, Bullberry, or another custom manufacturer. MGM's run $350+shipping.

And yes - I want one, too.

I suspect you'll probably be able to get your 77/44 around 1.5 inches with some careful load development.

 

[snapping turtle]

Don't forget lil gun powder in the 44 mag. Magic pixie dust in several calibers of mine.

If you are thining of a new barrel in an encore wait a bit until the new rules go into effect. Might give us a little more case lenght and 460 ruger will be legal.

 

[Aaronhome27]

aaron had to bump up my load another 1 gr didnt ya lol

........

 

[Skip]

Actually, Blythe's in Griffeth has (had) a bunch of Pro Hunter 44Mag carbine barrels. I know, I got mine from there several months ago.

I use the 240gr XTP with a MILSURP powder, WC820 for my Encore and M77/44. My lot loads to H110/W296 data but, I have taken it a bit higher than most published loads I have seen. 25gr of WC820, from my lot anyway, gives me right at 1780fps from the Encore and just about the same from the M77/44

Here is a group shot @ 100 yards with the Encore:

Just a bit over MOA. If my eyes were younger...........................

With the M77/44 I have had varying results, most nowhere near as good as that!

I also have a Marlin 1894 that has driven me absolutely CRAZY trying to get lead bullets to shoot well in. Finally got that mastered and here is the group from it 2 100 yards:

This is the bullet that I cast for it:

That load is a maximum load of AA#9 for a 240gr lead bullet. Delivers 1800fps from the 20" barrel.

I shot a ground hog with this load @ 50 yards. Needless to say, it kind of stayed right there!

 

[Broom_jm]

Don't forget lil gun powder in the 44 mag. Magic pixie dust in several calibers of mine.

If you are thining of a new barrel in an encore wait a bit until the new rules go into effect. Might give us a little more case lenght and 460 ruger will be legal.

The 480 Ruger was already legal. I think you might have been referring to the 460 S&W, which will be legal next fall. A couple friends of mine have them, one in an Encore, the other a Ruger #1, and they are very effective out to 200 yards and more. They have a fair amount of recoil but still better performance than a slug gun.