Don't ask why I'm using a 320gr bullet in a .44 magnum, I don't want to start a cartridge war here or a hot thread on hunting load philosophies. Anyway, there is almost no load data for that particular bullet, and I'm trying to load these with imr-4227, but I'm unsure of what my starting load should be at. My lyman manual suggests 16.5 gr of imr-4227 as a starting load for a 300 gr linotype , 21.5 gr for a 240 gr linotype, and 20.2 gr for a 255 gr linotype. Now my logic is telling me that they are using less powder for a starting load as the bullet gets heavier, but how does bullet length and seating depth affect pressure levels inside the case? The load data listed in my reloading manual implicates that the pressure gets lower as the bullet size goes up and the powder charge goes down. Since I have no suggested starting load for the 320gr bullet, I was thinking with the trend the loading manual shows I should perhaps load the 320gr a bit less than what they are showing as the starting load for the 300gr linotype. My fear is that I will start with too weak a load and get a squib load or even worse develop excessive pressure and crack a forcing cone or worse. Do you guys think 15 gr of imr-4227 is too light a starting load for the 320gr wlngc? The other thing that i was wondering about was that while the 300 gr linotype is charged with 16.5 gr, the load manual shows a 300 gr jsp loaded up to 18.5 gr as a starting charge. Is this due to the fact that the jacketed bullet with a smaller diameter (.429 jacketed vs the .430 cast lead) is going to somehow develop more pressure in the barrel due to the bullet being softer and perhaps expanding inside the barrel and creating a tighter seal? Wouldn't a jacketed bullet have less drag? I hope someone can shine some light on this issue for me so I don't blow my hand off or worse ruin a pistol when i try out these loads.

Don't know anything about a "Cast Performance" bullet, seeing as how this is a Beartooth Bullets web site.

Might suggest you go to the Loadswap site on the BTB home page and check out the various loads for the 44 Mag.

Well, I never claimed to have a good bedside manner, but it does take a lot of gall to come on to Beartooth Bullets and ask about some other cast bullet!
I hope the poster did not realize that this was Marshall's website and he sold bullets!
Regards, James

Thanks for the suggestion! I just found this forum through a google search and figured someone here would have some experience or insight. In the loadswap site someone actually had load data for the same bullet, cast performance's lbt style 320gr wlngc, only he was charging them with h110. h110 seems to be a favorite max load powder for the .44 magnum, and I believe it burns faster than the imr-4227. Im beginning to feel like I should have bought some h110 because it seems like everyone prefers to load with it despite my reloading manual suggesting 2400 and imr-4227 as the most popular powders for .44 mag. Since I already have 10 rounds seated & crimped with my possibly under-charged 15 gr loads and I don't want to waste any more lead or powder in bum loads, I'll fire a few & check for the warning signs then perhaps up the charge to 15.2 or 15.3 and go from there. I'll let you guys know how my m629 holds up.


p.s. Gosh I'm so rude! I didn't realize this forum was run by a bullet manufacturer and I'm asking for information about a competitor's product. Sorry for the offense, I just don't know where to look for good handloading info on the net and this forum seemed like a good place to ask.

You should be fine with the powders and the loads you have selected. I went thru the same agony many years ago and worked it out for me. The 2400 and 4227 worked well with the heavy lead but this is the only place I found W296 excelled. I don't remember the numbers so I won't give you anything to start with. Until you find a starting number for the H110 I wouldn't even bother with it. I think you will end up around the 20gr mark with what you are using now.
But wait there's more. I just remembered. http://stevespages.com/429p_3_330.html
Steve's loading data is sometimes a little zealous but this is the same loading area I worked around.
On another note I don't use this heavy stuff in my M29, only in my Rugers. Chief aka Maxx Load

I'd be interested to see the velocity data when you test those loads.

And yes, I'd suggest H110 / WW296 for such things. Go easy on that Smith....

The basic pressure relationship is that as a bullet seats deeper in a case there is less room for the gases being generated by the propellant early in the burn. This speeds up the burn and raises the peak pressure.

Don't worry about mentioning other bullet brands. A quick search will show a lot of that happens here. Beartooth bullets specializes in high quality extra-grade, hardened cast bullets, emphasizing accurate and hard hitting hunting performance. A lot people post questions about cheap plinking bullets or about some other brand they already have or that are in a weight or configuration the board's sponsor doesn't make. So, we don't try to limit that. But if you need a source of high quality cast bullets, especially for hunting and especially if you've slugged your bore and know the exact diameter needed for your particular gun, then the sponsor is the place to go to. You might want to pick up a copy of Marshal's technical book (http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm) and give it a read? Instructions for slugging and learning your nominal bullet size are described in detail.

21.5 gr of 296/H110 is the classic load for the 320 gr bullets. Gives 1200 fps in 5-6 inch barrels. Havent used anything else as this load works so well for me.

Well the verdict is in. 15 grn is WAY too light of a starting load :D I loaded a few with 16.25gr and got a partial squib on my 2nd shot (halfway in the forcing cone halfway in the casing). 1st one kicked like a .44 special. My friend at the range who helped me unjam the pistol said the bullets I was using were too big. .429 is the standard diameter for a .44 mag bullet right, but is .430 really too big to fire from a model 629 or similar revolver? I may discard the lot i have and buy some lead sized for .429 and start over, but if anyone out there is firing .430in bullets from their revolvers without problems let me know! I think i should take the charge up from 16.25 to about 18.5 gr to generate sufficient pressure.
On a side note, I am also loading 240gr jfp's with 18.8 gr of 2400 using winchester's large pistol primers which are advertised as 'for standard or magnum pistol loads' which i think is BS. I'm getting a lot of unburned powder in these loads, would cci's #350 primers ignite more powder? Or can this issue be caused by some other factor in my reloading process?

I've always used WLP primers without any difficulty. Most likely if you are getting unburnt powder your loads are just too low. 2400 has a reputation for doing that, anyway.

As far as 0.430" bullets.... you need to measure the cylinder throats before you pass judgement. Can you push them through with your fingers?