I am looking to get a setup going with reloading for 2 calibers and I wanted to narrow down what has worked well for everyone here... there are just too many choices out there for .45ACP and .44Mag.
In .45ACP, I am looking for an economical plinking / practice round. Preferably using a 185 or 200 grain bullet (probably FMJ). Can you suggest a good power to start with? This is for a 3.5" 1911 mainly.
In .44Mag I am looking for a deer/pig loading that makes a BIG BOOM. Probably something in the heavier range - say 270 grain SWC Lead. Suggestions on bullets and powder would be appreciated. This is for a Ruger SBH Hunter (7.5"). I am willing to consider down to about 240 grain and up to about 320 grain bullets if there is a particular weight that your SBH has preferred.
Reloading components
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
If your shooting at an outdoor range then I would suggest a lead 200gr semi-wadcutter. I've come to really like Winchester 231. If your limited to indoor shooting where lead my be against range rules then I've found Rainier or Berry's 200gr semi-wadcutters to be very good and almost as cheap as lead.
Sorry, can't help with the .44 as I have no experience with that cartridge.
Sorry, can't help with the .44 as I have no experience with that cartridge.
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TX Rancher
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Houston1944
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The most accurate 45acp load I know of is 3.9gr / 4.0gr Clays with a 200gr LSWC. I have found Penn cast lead bullets to be as good as any. (http://www.pennbullets.com). I have only fired these in 5" 1911 so I cannot say how well they will perform in a short barrel 1911.
My "warm" 44mag load is 21.0 gr W296 with 300 gr XTP, chrono's at 1364 fps. Start below 21 grs and hold on tight because this one will give you the "Big Boom" you are asking for. I have used Oregon Trails 310 cast GC bullet with 19 to 20 gr of H110 but have not chrono'd them. If you want a really serious lead bullet then I would look at the Penn 320 gr cast bullet. It does not have a gas check but can go up to 1500 fps. I have not loaded this bullet but Penn will give you load data if you place an order with them. I use their 340 gr cast bullet in my 454 casull in some very hot loads and have no leading issues.
W296 or H110 are the powders of choice for 44mag hunting loads. Pick one or both, but either will serve you well.
Please note one safety statement. Not all cast lead bullets are the same. If you use data for a premium / gas check bullet in a low cost lead bullet then you might have some problems. Many of the lead bullets out there are not designed to go 1300 fps and higher.
My "warm" 44mag load is 21.0 gr W296 with 300 gr XTP, chrono's at 1364 fps. Start below 21 grs and hold on tight because this one will give you the "Big Boom" you are asking for. I have used Oregon Trails 310 cast GC bullet with 19 to 20 gr of H110 but have not chrono'd them. If you want a really serious lead bullet then I would look at the Penn 320 gr cast bullet. It does not have a gas check but can go up to 1500 fps. I have not loaded this bullet but Penn will give you load data if you place an order with them. I use their 340 gr cast bullet in my 454 casull in some very hot loads and have no leading issues.
W296 or H110 are the powders of choice for 44mag hunting loads. Pick one or both, but either will serve you well.
Please note one safety statement. Not all cast lead bullets are the same. If you use data for a premium / gas check bullet in a low cost lead bullet then you might have some problems. Many of the lead bullets out there are not designed to go 1300 fps and higher.
You might find some interesting data at http://www.reloadammo.com/ - it is dated but reliable.
In .45 ACP I've had good luck with a 200grain lead semi-wadcutter and 4.5 grains of Green Dot, or 5-5.5 grains of Unique. People say Unique is dirty but I clean my pistol and it never seems to be a problem.
You can get Bushwacker (brand name - decent quality) 200 g LSWC bullets at Powder Valley - http://www.powdervalleyinc.com - for $46.25 per thousand. They will ship using the USPS flat-rate box for $8.10 if you want. Their prices on powder and primers are very good, and they will mix powder and primers under one $20 hazardous materials fee. Best if you and some friends get together on an order - spread the haz mat fee over up to 48 pounds of powder (as I recall). If you see Rucker bullets at the gun show or whatever, they are also very good quality.
The fellow in Halletsville at Lone Star Bullet Company is, I think, still supplying T's Guns and Ammo (store in SE Houston area) but no longer selling to the public. To me this is a disaster because his quality was superb and he was only about an hour West of me, and I could drive out and get 10,000 bullets foar a 10% discount. Sorry to whine.
I do not have (or load for) a .44 magnum, but in full-power .357 magnum loads, especially for longer barrels, Vita Vhouri (yes, it is spelled wrong and I'm too lazy to look it up right now) N110 has given me very good velocities - and it burns remarkably clean. Other relatively slow powders often quoted for magnum pistol loads are 2400, H110, and 296.
Have fun!
Regards,
Andrew
In .45 ACP I've had good luck with a 200grain lead semi-wadcutter and 4.5 grains of Green Dot, or 5-5.5 grains of Unique. People say Unique is dirty but I clean my pistol and it never seems to be a problem.
You can get Bushwacker (brand name - decent quality) 200 g LSWC bullets at Powder Valley - http://www.powdervalleyinc.com - for $46.25 per thousand. They will ship using the USPS flat-rate box for $8.10 if you want. Their prices on powder and primers are very good, and they will mix powder and primers under one $20 hazardous materials fee. Best if you and some friends get together on an order - spread the haz mat fee over up to 48 pounds of powder (as I recall). If you see Rucker bullets at the gun show or whatever, they are also very good quality.
The fellow in Halletsville at Lone Star Bullet Company is, I think, still supplying T's Guns and Ammo (store in SE Houston area) but no longer selling to the public. To me this is a disaster because his quality was superb and he was only about an hour West of me, and I could drive out and get 10,000 bullets foar a 10% discount. Sorry to whine.
I do not have (or load for) a .44 magnum, but in full-power .357 magnum loads, especially for longer barrels, Vita Vhouri (yes, it is spelled wrong and I'm too lazy to look it up right now) N110 has given me very good velocities - and it burns remarkably clean. Other relatively slow powders often quoted for magnum pistol loads are 2400, H110, and 296.
Have fun!
Regards,
Andrew
Retractable claws; the *original* concealed carry