44 mag/44 special loads

[Johnnyjr]

Never having loaded ammo for a lever rifle before. Are the revolver loads the same for the Henry BB rifle. I have some data using bullseye powder..200 he cast bullets.Are those loads safe to use¿¿

[JEBar]

for hunting ammo we've loaded 44 Mag Nosler 240 gr JHP and JSP bullets with 23.8 gr of W296 or H110 since the mid 60's ... same loads hunted with in rifles and revolvers .... Nosler's newest manual still calls for this load for both rifles and hand guns .... with this being the case for max loads, I see no reason it wouldn't be safe for lighter loads as well

[Travlin]

Watch out for Bullseye powder . The pressure comes up very quickly and a half of a grain can make a big change in the pressure curve. Red Dot is just about the same. You would be better off with some Unique if you can find some..

[Pitchman1968]

20 years ago I bought a S&W Model 29 Classic revolver and tried several reloading recipes finally ending up with 19 grs of Accurate #9 below a 240 gr Hornady XTP bullet. At 50 yards using a benchrest that load consistantly shot 5" groups. 6 years ago I bought a .44 Mag BB and my most accurate load with it is a Beartooth 250 gr hard cast lead bullet atop 18 grs. of #9 powder. Once I switched from the factory installed Marble sights to a Skinner Express peep sight, at 75 yards I now shoot 4" groups with an occasional flyer.

[fortyshooter]

Alliant 2400 works well for .44 Mag loads and Unique makes for some nice mid range loads too. Any .44 Mag load within .44 Mag SAAMI specs in load manuals will work fine in the Henry. Just keep an eye on the COL length that will feed in the Henry.

[Johnnyjr]

Appreciate the replies. Today I made a couple dummy rounds,44.mag 250 gr.cast swc,only to find out they are to long to feed thru the action. The 200 grains feed great. I am wondering if the 200 gr will work for deer hunting. But there's plenty of time. Any thoughts ?

[JEBar]

there has been considerable discussion as to the bullet weights used in Henry 44 Mags .... its been reported that Henry uses a barrel twist that is set for 240 gr bullets .... having hunted with 44 mag rifles and revolvers since the late '60's, I have taken boar, deer and black bear with our 240 gr bullets .... if your rifle likes 200 gr'ers, I have no doubt they will do the job on deer out to a hundred yards or so

[Johnnyjr]

I appreciate the reply. Thinking that the 240 grain will still do the job with 44 special as this feeds great in the Henry.

[JEBar]

within its effective range, a 240 gr'er out of a 44 Special will most certainly take down a deer .... I don't know what that range would be

[Johnnyjr]

Me neither, maybe 75 yards.

[Johnnyjr]

The 240 grain is too long for my Henry. Odd they set the rifleing for the 240 if it doesn't feed. At least not in mine.

[JEBar]

all I can say is ours has literally fired well over 10,000 rounds like the one below .... never have trimmed a case and crimp in the ring on Nosler's 240 gr JHP's

[Johnnyjr]

But that's a jacket bullet. I'm talking about cast bullets.

[JEBar]

But that's a jacket bullet. I'm talking about cast bullets.

correct ... its my understanding that the length of the bullet sticking out of the casing is supposed to be the same

[Johnnyjr]

What is the oal of that bullet combination.. thanks

[Shakey Jake]

Hodgon states a .44 spcl with a cast 240 gr bullet should have an OAL of 1.450 and a .44 mag an OAL of 1.620.
Jake

[Johnnyjr]

What about for lever action ?. My 240 he cast are to long to feed in my bb 44...that's the wad cutters design.. But the same booklet in 44 special feeds very well. Thanks..

[Shakey Jake]

They work fine in my .44 Marlin. I don't have a Henry in .44. so can't address that.
Jake

[fortyshooter]

What bullet do you have? I shoot a bunch of the Missouri Bullets "Keith" style 240 gr. cast bullets loaded at a 1.605 COL thru my .44 Mag Henry Carbine.

[Johnnyjr]

Not sure where I got these without looking.