Who reloads the Dirty Harry (44 Magnum)

[psharon97]

I've been doing computer work on the side and a client prefers to pay in guns. I was looking for a Sig p250SC in 9mm, however, it seems everyone in middle ga went ahead and bought them all. Long story short, I've been looking and planning on buying a Smith and Wesson 629 in 6". What's the best powder you guys use in for 'the most powerful handgun in the world' lol. Do you guys use large pistol primers or does it work best with 44 large pistol magnum primers? Thanks in advance

[scope eye]

I use LilGun in mine for all bullet weights, and when I let some one shoot it. I use Trail Boss loads.

Dean

[justinp61]

H110/Win 296 and CCI magnum primers.

[03mossy]

Plinking stuff I use large primers WSF powder and 200 grain lead bullets. My get your attention bear loads are mag primers, h110 and 310 grain hard cash bullets.

[snowgetter1]

Trail boss or unique, if you can find it, are great with lead loads. I really only use accurate #9 for jacketed hunting loads with 240gr.

[Hammer]

Look up Elmer Keith -- the Father of the 44 Magnum

There are loads referred to as "Keith loads".

[bigedp51]

If you remember Dirty Harry in "Magnum Force" at the practice range he told the young cops he uses .44 special light loads for better control.

I use the light loads below in my five inch 629, please notice all the powder is burnt at 2.4 inches.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/bigedp51/fastpowder_zps6bd696c6.jpg

If you plug in a maximum load of 296/H110 in Quickload using a 20 inch barrel the 95% and 100% powder burnt reference marks are still off scale and not visible.

[35Whelenshooter]

H110, 2400, 296, AA#9, IMR 800X.I use this in Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5 and a S&W 629-4 Classic 7.5 all work great.

Respectfully
Mike

[psharon97]

Thanks for the advice. The shop threw in a box of 50 magtech 44 magnum 240g. This gun is a shooter. I haven't had to adjust the sights. I've already ordered dies, brass, and bullets. I went with these for target practice and plinking: http://bullets.com/products/-44-Cal-429-240-Grain-FP-Bullets-Box-of-500/BL1216

These are for hunting: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/224132/hornady-xtp-bullets-44-caliber-430-diameter-240-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-100

I'll run to the store to buy powder and primers. I'm thinking I might start with large pistol magnum primers and Alliant 2400. I've read really great things about them for the 44 magnum. I've read that with the H110/296 both need to be near maximum loads. I've never been a fan of loading for maximum in any of my guns. (My 30-30, before I traded it in for this, was loaded .1gr below starting charge for what the book said). I'll update this post with some result next weekend if everything comes in on time.

Thanks for the advice fellas

[Cnsane]

Blue Dot and LP Mags under 200 JHP.
I run an 8 3/8 29 and could only imagine the thunder and roar of 110/296 in a 6" tube. I've shot handgun silly-wets with 300 gr XTP's out of a 9 1/2" Super Red, but in the long run your wrists will thank you for light bullets

[justinp61]

For plinking I load cast bullets over Herco.

[psharon97]

I mistyped, this is a 5" 44.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764951_-1_757770_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

[mech1369dlw]

I use these bullets sitting on top of 9 grains of Unique powder with large pistol primers. The only pistol rounds that must have magnum primers is the .357 mag.
http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=103&category=5&secondary=12&keywords=

[sharpshooter]

When using H110, or W296 you will need a heavy crimp.

[Cnsane]

And sunglasses. Preferably ones that cover your eyebrows. It's exaggeration for the point of illustration but still. The muzzle blast of 110/296 (same powder) is truly horrendous in a short barrel due to the fact it burns so slowly and must be loaded to the maximum for safety

[Rock4gzus]

After using a lot of magnum loads, I have come to prefer shooting light target loads. My favorite is 240 grain cast bullets, Winchester Large Pisrol Primers and 7 grains of W-231 or HP -38 powder in a S&W Model 29 or 629 Classic. These bullets also perform well out of a Browning 92.

[psharon97]

About the only powders I could find locally was 296. So a couple of cans of 296 and CCI large pistol primers followed me home.

[GaCop]

Hard to beat a good 240 grain SWC and Unique in the 44 Mag.

[Hotolds442]

200gr JHP over a stout load of WW296 in my Ruger Redhawk and my 1969 Winchester 94 Magnum works well for me. I've taken many blacktails with those two guns out to a whopping 125 yards. Anything further than that just bounces off the hide and spanks them pretty good.

[scope eye]

If you just feel like plinking, or let some one shoot that might not be able to handle a 44 Mag. 8gr of trail boss with 200 or 240gr bullets works great.

Dean