44 magnum Factory Load

cottonmouth · March 13, 2008, 10:44 PM

I currently do not reload my own ammo. I may get into it soon though.

Does anyone know who manufactures a good clean shooting 240 gr. 44 magnum in the neighborhood of 1000-1200 fps? I really don't care about the exact velocity. I would like to find a factory load to practice with, plinking and punching paper mostly.

I really like the Hornady 240 gr XTP for my hunting purposes. I think it is around 1350 fps. Very expensive to practice with, yet it shoots wonderfully in the 629 PC Hunter Plus.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mosin44az · March 14, 2008, 12:58 AM

Winchester White Box 240 grain JSP may be a little faster than 1200, but not too much, check it out.

CCI Blazer 240 gr. JHP kicks a bit less that the White Box, so could be in the range you describe. Aluminum case has caused no problems for me.

king.460 · March 14, 2008, 07:26 AM

Federal.

king.460 · March 14, 2008, 07:31 AM

How do you like the little Aimpoint? I have a 9000 SC on my .460 and I hear there is very little difference in how they perform. If so, compact is better!

cottonmouth · March 14, 2008, 07:44 AM

Thanks Mosin, I think I will try the CCI aluminum cased rounds next. I've shot them in my 45 colt goverment model with very good results.

Tried some Magtech just the other day and those were good also. Gun shop near our range sells them for $26 box of 50, not to bad a price. They grouped real well for that price ammo.

King, I am really liking the aimpoint micro, I got the R-1 model. Very easy installation and it seems to be holding zero perfectly. I did not use locktite when I installed it the other night. Thinking about reinstalling it with just a smidgin of the stuff on the threads.

Do you use locktite on you aimpoint mounted on 460? Tell me about the federal ammo. Is this your hunting load or is this a load that just shoots real well for you?

I am really impressed with the Hornady 44 magnum 240 gr. XTP ammo. It seems to shoot very tight groups, and is very consistent. There about a dollar per shot though. Box of 20, around $21.00. Worth every penny though for the outstanding performance that they provide.

john1911 · March 14, 2008, 08:24 AM

The only factory loaded .44 mag ammo I shoot is Magtech. I've found it to be as good as anything on the market and the lowest priced. The brass is good for reloading too.

Doyle · March 14, 2008, 12:42 PM

I second the Magtech. I prefer a SJSP for hunting. On pigs, I don't need a bigger hole - I need guaranteed penetration.

44 Deerslayer · March 14, 2008, 01:05 PM

I've always felt that Aluminum 240 grain Blazer .44 mag had the least recoil and it was always the easiest to shoot out of my 3" 629. I've talked to quite a few others that thought the same. I've never chronographed it but I've shot a lot of .44 and it does feel like it's a lower velocity round.

king.460 · March 14, 2008, 01:42 PM

I am a Hornady guy

also. I shoot the .460 200 gr SST. I was looking into buying an S&W 629 a while back and several reputable dealers swore by the Federal 240 gr. as their ammo choice for the .44. That's why I threw the name out. As for Loc-tite, used it on XVR but not the PC.
By the way, that's a beatiful gun you have there!

funon1 · March 14, 2008, 05:00 PM

But I think your idea about reloading is best. You will be able to dial the ammo in to your exact liking instead of trying to get factory ammo to fit.

Funon1

salvadore · March 15, 2008, 10:00 PM

What? The copper washed winchesters aren't available now? I gotta get out more often.

tstone · March 16, 2008, 05:16 PM

I roll my own 44 ammo, but have yet to come up with a load to beat the Hornady 240 gr factory loads. I can match it, just not beat it.

cottonmouth · March 17, 2008, 04:36 AM

Thanks tstone, that makes me feel good and tells me a lot as far as choosing the hornady 240 gr. xtp .

With you being a reloader, I would like to ask, do you consider the Hornady 240 gr. xtp to be a hot load ? I have been practicing with the magtech 240 gr. SJSP and I believe that particular magtech is listed at 1178 fps & 739 ft. lbs. of energy as it exits the barrel, while the Hornady 240 gr. xtp is humming along at 1350 fps.

I have a SW performance center 629-5 Hunter plus that I picked up used from cabela's gun library in practically NIB condition, that I intend on using next hunting season and I constantly fret over the longevity of the gun. Hence my question, "is the hornady 240 gr. xtp considered to be a hot load? and while we are at it, is the 180 gr. bullets or light bullets with higher velocities more abusive to the firearm? (don't want to shoot the smith loose ya know)........

Thanks in advance for any and all comments.

tstone · March 17, 2008, 08:37 AM

While I consider the Hornady 240's to be rather warm, I'd dare say that a lifetime (yours) of shooting them will not harm the gun. Blast away!

March 14, 2008, 07:31 AM	#4
king.460 Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2007 Location: Hale County, AL Posts: 103	Cottonmouth How do you like the little Aimpoint? I have a 9000 SC on my .460 and I hear there is very little difference in how they perform. If so, compact is better!

March 14, 2008, 07:44 AM	#5
cottonmouth Member Join Date: February 18, 2007 Posts: 44	Thanks Mosin, I think I will try the CCI aluminum cased rounds next. I've shot them in my 45 colt goverment model with very good results. Tried some Magtech just the other day and those were good also. Gun shop near our range sells them for $26 box of 50, not to bad a price. They grouped real well for that price ammo. King, I am really liking the aimpoint micro, I got the R-1 model. Very easy installation and it seems to be holding zero perfectly. I did not use locktite when I installed it the other night. Thinking about reinstalling it with just a smidgin of the stuff on the threads. Do you use locktite on you aimpoint mounted on 460? Tell me about the federal ammo. Is this your hunting load or is this a load that just shoots real well for you? I am really impressed with the Hornady 44 magnum 240 gr. XTP ammo. It seems to shoot very tight groups, and is very consistent. There about a dollar per shot though. Box of 20, around $21.00. Worth every penny though for the outstanding performance that they provide. Last edited by cottonmouth; March 14, 2008 at 07:55 AM. Reason: added comment again

March 14, 2008, 08:24 AM	#6
john1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: The relatively sane part of IL Posts: 383	The only factory loaded .44 mag ammo I shoot is Magtech. I've found it to be as good as anything on the market and the lowest priced. The brass is good for reloading too. __________________ Almost any problem can be solved by a liberal dose of .45 230 gr JHPs.

March 14, 2008, 01:05 PM	#8
44 Deerslayer Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2005 Location: MN Posts: 337	I've always felt that Aluminum 240 grain Blazer .44 mag had the least recoil and it was always the easiest to shoot out of my 3" 629. I've talked to quite a few others that thought the same. I've never chronographed it but I've shot a lot of .44 and it does feel like it's a lower velocity round. __________________ Ron NRA Life Member

March 14, 2008, 01:42 PM	#9
king.460 Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2007 Location: Hale County, AL Posts: 103	Cottonmouth I am a Hornady guy also. I shoot the .460 200 gr SST. I was looking into buying an S&W 629 a while back and several reputable dealers swore by the Federal 240 gr. as their ammo choice for the .44. That's why I threw the name out. As for Loc-tite, used it on XVR but not the PC. By the way, that's a beatiful gun you have there!

March 14, 2008, 12:58 AM	#2
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Winchester White Box 240 grain JSP may be a little faster than 1200, but not too much, check it out. CCI Blazer 240 gr. JHP kicks a bit less that the White Box, so could be in the range you describe. Aluminum case has caused no problems for me.

March 14, 2008, 07:26 AM	#3
king.460 Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2007 Location: Hale County, AL Posts: 103	Federal.

March 14, 2008, 12:42 PM	#7
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I second the Magtech. I prefer a SJSP for hunting. On pigs, I don't need a bigger hole - I need guaranteed penetration.

March 14, 2008, 05:00 PM	#10
funon1 Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: WA state Posts: 361	I'd stick with Hornady too good bullet low cost for factory But I think your idea about reloading is best. You will be able to dial the ammo in to your exact liking instead of trying to get factory ammo to fit. Funon1

March 15, 2008, 10:00 PM	#11
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	What? The copper washed winchesters aren't available now? I gotta get out more often.

March 16, 2008, 05:16 PM	#12
tstone Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: MS Posts: 25	I roll my own 44 ammo, but have yet to come up with a load to beat the Hornady 240 gr factory loads. I can match it, just not beat it.

March 17, 2008, 04:36 AM	#13
cottonmouth Member Join Date: February 18, 2007 Posts: 44	Thanks tstone, that makes me feel good and tells me a lot as far as choosing the hornady 240 gr. xtp . With you being a reloader, I would like to ask, do you consider the Hornady 240 gr. xtp to be a hot load ? I have been practicing with the magtech 240 gr. SJSP and I believe that particular magtech is listed at 1178 fps & 739 ft. lbs. of energy as it exits the barrel, while the Hornady 240 gr. xtp is humming along at 1350 fps. I have a SW performance center 629-5 Hunter plus that I picked up used from cabela's gun library in practically NIB condition, that I intend on using next hunting season and I constantly fret over the longevity of the gun. Hence my question, "is the hornady 240 gr. xtp considered to be a hot load? and while we are at it, is the 180 gr. bullets or light bullets with higher velocities more abusive to the firearm? (don't want to shoot the smith loose ya know)........ Thanks in advance for any and all comments. Last edited by cottonmouth; March 17, 2008 at 04:51 AM. Reason: spelling, added comment

March 17, 2008, 08:37 AM	#14
tstone Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: MS Posts: 25	While I consider the Hornady 240's to be rather warm, I'd dare say that a lifetime (yours) of shooting them will not harm the gun. Blast away!