Am I inviting volume / pressure problems?

[2571]

Loading for .44Mag Super Blackhawk

Can I load for .44Sp in .44 mag cases? Considering 240 gr Speer semi-WC & 6.6 gr Unique.

[Bill H]

If you load .44 mag loads in .44 sp cases, you will have high pressure.

If you load .44 special loads in .44 mag cases, you will have low pressures. To get back to the same velocity, you will probably have to increase load a little bit.

Pistol rounds are very sensitive to case capacity, which is why seating depth is so critical.

[Litt'le Lee]

6.6 could be too LOW--

[MEHavey]

Just for grins, I ran a QuickLoad calculation on the loads mentioned.

240gr LdSW (Speer) over 6.6gr Unique with 6" barrel at normal OALs for each cartridge.

44 S&W Special case/OAL 1.475" : 16,393psi / 929fps (58% case fill)
44 RemMagnum case/OAL 1.605" : 12,773psi / 871fps (46% case fill)


As calculated, both are safe in a 36,000psi-rated 44Mag Blackhawk
The 44Sp case load, however, is Hot for a 15,500psi-rated 44Sp frame. So mark them well in case someone else gets hold of them.