Subsonic 44 mag. Load for deer?

[Mgderf]

Update on the process.

300gr XTP, CCI MAGNUM #350, Alliant 2400, 1.60" COAL

Loaded 15gr of the 2400 trying to get the velocity down to the 1080 range.

Averaged 1258fps.

Going to check out 44 special loads to see if I am going to be safe with 13gr.

This is tough because I have yet to find a 44 special load with a 300gr. JHP.

Any advice from the local reloaders would be greatly appreciated!

From the Hodgdon reloading pages,

.44magnum

300gr JHP
1.60" C.O.L.
Titegroup
Start 8.6gr 1079fps 34,200 C.U.P.
Max 9.6gr 1186pfs 38,400 C.U.P.

It's a load for .44magnum, not special, but right at the velocities you're looking for.

Please verify these numbers for yourself.

Hodgdon Reloading | Home

 

[bobjones223]

I checked out Alliant website and they have a 240gr 44 Special load at 13gr...980fps out of a 5.5" barrel so I am thinking 13-13.5 out of a 10" should get me where I want to be?

Going to start at 13gr since I am running a 10" barrel I should generate some additional speed and the #350 primers are probably adding another 10-20.

Once I get to the velocity I am looking for I may switch back to a standard CCI LPP just to see what it does to the velocity and then start playing with the accuracy if needed.

The TC Contender with a scope has shown me one thing though....I am not as steady with a pistol as I used to be... SHAKY!!!

Not sure how to fix that but I am sure more time shooting it will only help.

 

[sht4brnz]

Would you hunt deer with a 45ACP?
If so, every 230 grain round bought in the store will be sub sonic

 

[bobjones223]

Would you hunt deer with a 45ACP?
If so, every 230 grain round bought in the store will be sub sonic

Well last time I checked 45 ACP was not a legal deer round. Yes 45 ACP is subsonic but typically run less than 900fps out of a pistol with a 230 gr projectile.

The goal here was deer hunting in an urban area. This is why I am looking at the 300gr 44 mag.. It will give me 70 gr. more at the down range and equate to more foot pounds of energy on target.

 

[bobjones223]

So the last tests were very promising.

300gr XTP driven by 13gr of Alliant 2400 with a COAL of 1.60" using CCI LPP "Magnum" #350.

1st Round - 1094fps
2nd Round - 1097fps
3rd Round - 1099fps
4th Round - 1101fps
5th Round - 1101fps

Average was 1098fps with a variance between high and low of 7fps....I WILL TAKE THAT!!!!!

On a side note just for my knowledge I packed up five with standard CCI LPP #300 just to see what it did to the speeds...I will keep you posted.

That is giving me 806 foot pounds of energy at 15' from the muzzle and in response to the above post the 45 ACP runs around 405 foot pounds so this load is close to double the energy of the 45 ACP.

 

[bobjones223]

So that was interesting.

300 XTP with 13gr of Alliant 2400 with a COAL of 1.6 using standard CCI LPP #300.

1st Round - 1037
2nd Round - 1055
3rd Round - 1030
4th Round - 1059
5th Round - 1013
Avg. - 1038
Spread - 46 fps

So Alliant's load data currently says to use standard LPP #300 with the 2400 but from my understanding the old data for 2400 called for the "Magnum" primers, not sure why they changed?

I was surprised that there was a +-60fps drop just by switching out the primers and the feet per second spread really opened up.

I am thinking that with the standard LPP I am not getting a complete burn on the powder before the projectile exits the barrel, any thoughts?

Well long story short I am going back the the 13gr of 2400 and "Magnum" primers since it really shined for what I am looking for.

I find this part of reloading the most fun, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to get what you want (can't buy this round off the shelf). To me this is a whole lot more fun than sitting there cranking out 9mm or 45acp rounds for hours on end!

The only question I still have sitting in the back of my head is how the 300gr XTP will expand now that I have slowed it down? I will probably do a water jug test just to get a better idea of what is going on down range (don't want to jack with jell or clay).