Starting point for a 44 load

[Chomper]

Looking for a load for plinking. Have a 44 B.B. Steel on order. Do the 240 Elmer Keith type from Missouri bullets work well in the B.B's ? Hopping to work up one load for both my new Henry and my 6in. S&W 29 .

[Squatch]

Unique works well for light loads in the 44 mag. I've been experimenting with that for over a year. But be careful as Unique doesn't take up much space in the case so the potential to double load is very real. I just loaded up some rounds to try with Trail Boss powder. It's made for high fill volume for light cowboy action style loads. Data on the Hodgden site. I haven't shot them yet.

I've had good luck with both Missouri Bullet Company coated bullets and Berry's 240 gr copper plated.

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2213

For really light loads I've been using this data.
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

Just remember when you start playing with really light stuff. Make sure the round hits what you are aiming at. If not or if anything seems amiss. Run a cleaning rod down the bore to make sure it is clear before firing another round.

[BigAl52]

I also use unique for 44 mag loads. I dont have a Henry in 44 but I do have a Ruger in 44. I dont use any other powder other than unique becasue 10 grains of unique and a 240 or 250 wad cutter will do everything I need to do with a 44. The big loads of h110 just dont interest me in shooting at all whrether for fun or target practice. I as well have had good luck with Missouri cast bullets and there is a guy in St John Ks Leadheads who cast a 250gr keith bullet that shoots very well in my pistols. I like that bullet alot. I would also suggest making a dummy round to make sure your BBS will cycle the bullet before loading any. Al

[Steve51]

For my Ruger Super Blackhawk, I really like the 250 grain Keith hard cast SWC over 7.5 grains of Unique (a Skeeter Skelton preferred load). I have also used the load BigAl52 mentioned - 10.0 grains of Unique with a 240 or 250 LSWC in my rifle and handgun. The 250 grain LSWC (Keith) bullets are too long and will not feed in my Henry but the MBC 240 grain LSWC bullet will feed fine. For my .44 rifle, I prefer 19.6 grains of 2400 over the Hornady XTP JHP but I don't consider this a plinking load.

I have also used Trailboss. Trailboss was originally designed for lead bullets and they are mild to shoot. Very suitable for wives and grandchildren. In a .44 magnum case I use 7.2 grains of Trailboss and in a .44 special case I use 5.5 grains of Trailboss. These loads will leave a very small air space between the powder and bottom of the bullet.

[DWD445]

For mild loads I've been using CFE pistol, mainly because it's able to be used in most HG calipers that I shoot. 240g MBC or Berry's and 11.5-11.9g powder. I use the coated MBC also with hot H110 loads.

[Chomper]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[DAVIDF]

Chomper,

The problem you may run into with Missouri bullets is their diameter. According to Henry, .44 Big Boy Brass barrel's groove diameter is .431. I didn't clarify with them whether all Henry .44 barrels are manufactured with a groove diameter of .431 or just earlier Big Boy's like mine. I also measured it with a round fishing weight and my measurements confirmed what they told me.
Missouri sizes their .44 cast bullets at .430. For best accuracy with a cast bullet, it should be sized at or .001 greater than the groove diameter. Last year, I called Missouri Bullets and asked if they could size at .432. I was told that they were going to have one of molds sized large enough and that their bullets sized at .430 or even .431 would not be suitable for my rifle. I called back later and was told that they would not be getting molds sized large enough. Maybe if enough of us ask, they will have incentive.

I got poor accuracy with Laser Cast 240gr SWC sized at .431 with 10gr of Unique and 23gr of H110. Such poor accuracy that I gave up trying different powder charges. I have gotten some decent accuracy with them over 6.5gr of Red Dot at close range off hand. I have not tried them off of a bench yet at 100 yards to confirm whether that load is actually accurate or not. The velocity on that load is only about 1100fps out of my rifle.

I have ordered cast bullets from Penn Bullets that are sized at .432. Hopefully, I will have them soon and let you know how the accuracy is.

Also, a RNFP will feed better in the Henry than a SWC. SWC do very well in Henry lever actions, but a RNFP will feed even smoother.

I have had great accuracy with X-treme Bullets 200gr RNFP plated bullets over 6.8gr to 7.2gr of Red Dot in Starline Brass and WLP primers. I have been able to get just over an inch group at 100 yards with open sights when everything is perfect, such as cloud cover so I can get a perfect and consistent sight picture. These are very light, very clean, very quiet loads at probably 1150fps or a bit more out of my 20" barreled Big Boy. I like Red Dot for light loads in .44 Magnum.

[DWD445]

I've had no accuracy issues with .429 Berry's or .430 MBC coated. I don't use SWC.
What diameter are factory loads like Federal or Winchester ??

[Chomper]

Just picked up my rifle today. Got looking at my ammo supply, I have some cast slugs (430) 240 gr. 6.2 of 231 , x treat 200 gr. Also 6.2 231 and 240 gr 240 jhp 23. Of 296. So I see now these work. Assuming the rain stop soon are I can stop building my rack.

[Chomper]

That should have read stop building my arck