Need 44 Colt Reloading Data

[triple w]

Any 44 Colt loaders that can enlighten a new 44 Colt owner on what I need to use for both BP, BP Sub, and smokeless reloading.
All I have is 100 new Starline cases.

Thanks in advance...Triple W

[Tio Sam]

Triple W,
     If you will click on the link below and select 44 COLT, Hodgdon has several smokeless loads listed.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Regards,

Tio Sam

[Shotgun Franklin]

For black powder you load it like any other BP load. A lead bullet with a large grease grove. A fairly soft grease in said grove. No air space between the base of the bullet and the powder. Try a slight compression of the powder. However much powder fits is the correct load. I never tried a wad over the powder in a handgun load but if it may be worth experimenting with?

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[triple w]

Thaks guys...just what I wanted!

[Leverluver]

I use the Titegroup load that is smack in the middle of the range stated by Hodgdon for a 200 grain bullet.  It averages 725fps from an 8 inch barrel.  It is accurate from both my 8" Richards and 5.5" Transition.  BTW, the chamber throats measured .4312 and the barrel was just under .431 so I use .431 bullets.   
 

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I never tried a wad over the powder in a handgun load but if it may be worth experimenting with?

Waste of time with handgun loads. The best BP load for modern .44 Colt IMO is the Lee 1.6 cc dipper (25 to 27 gr.) FFg and a 200 gr. bullet lubed with good BP lube. FFg shoots better than FFFg per my experiences.

[triple w]

I use the Titegroup load that is smack in the middle of the range stated by Hodgdon for a 200 grain bullet.  It averages 725fps from an 8 inch barrel.  It is accurate from both my 8" Richards and 5.5" Transition.  BTW, the chamber throats measured .4312 and the barrel was just under .431 so I use .431 bullets.  
 

Here is my newest toy,(middle) well new to me any way! I just picked it up today and can't wait to put some lead down the tube!!

[Lone Oak]

Triple W,

Here's what I've found to work best in my '72 OT 44 Colt, 7 1/2" bbl:

BP loads with ~26gr 2fg and a Big Lube 200gr bullet of about 30:1 alloy, any good BP lube.~815fps, accurate, lots of smoke and recoil. Sends my 3/8" thick, 6" x 12" steel bottles flying from 50 ft.

3.0gr Trail Boss under a Lee 429-240-2R 245 gr bullet tumble lubed with Rooster Jacket lube.~685fps, accurate, mild to shoot and they easily send the above mentioned bottles off the railroad tie.

Either load does the job, just depends on what I'm in the mood to shoot.

L.O.

[Buffalo Bruce]

Triple W:

I have been shooting an Opentop for about 4 years in 44 Colt. It's one of my favorite match guns. I use 25gr of American Pioneer 3f with a 205gr .429 bullet. I filed a Lee Dipper so that gives me 25gr. One top of the powder I use a card wad made of milk carton. I tamp it down fairly hard and almost fill the case with grits, then seat the bullet. This make for a good deal of compression, which I have found necessary for consistency and accuracy, with AP powder. I have shot thousands of rounds of several different calibers and have found this to be true with all.

I use a standard smokeless bullet. I have never found the need for special big lube bullets in a Colt type guns, Remingtons are another story. The only quirky thing is than the only primer that does not back out are Remingtons. I have no idea why. This load has been fun to shoot and is fairly accurate 21/2"  at 25 yds, benched.  Good luke and great shooting.

Buffalo Bruce