How much FFg or FFFg in a .44 R&M?

[John William McCandles]

I've tried a search with no luck so I am asking, if you don't want to put this info on the forum please PM me.

I am loading .44 special rounds for my Uberti 1860 R&M conversions using a 200 grain LRNFP bullet to be used in both these and my '66. I am using a Lee 1.9cc dipperfor a charge of (27.5gr) FFg black powder giving me 1/16"-1/8" of compression. Is this to stout a load for my R&M's? Also I have alot of FFFg and would like to use it in the .44 loads should I reduce the load or stay with the same volume and compression?

Thanks
JW

[Pettifogger]

The nice thing about real BP is that you really can't overload a pistol cartridge.  Your load is fine and you can use 3f with the same combo with no problem as well.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I have found in my experiences that FFg shoots better in my guns than FFFg for the most part and only use FFFg in .44 Russian. When I get a new gun I always test it with both powders and a couple different primers at CAS ranges. IMO Goex FFg and CCI Magnum primers almost always give the best accuracy in revolvers.  

Glad to see that you are shooting historically correct BP in your hogleg. 

[John William McCandles]

I do thank you.
Yes, I use real black powder in these and my reenactment blanks.

Regards
JW

[Crow Choker]

I've been shoting a '72 Open Top calibered for 44 Spec for several years. Since purchasing it, I've shot 44 Spec loads using only smokless and 44 Colt loads using only black powder. Reasoning, I always know the 44 Spec's are loaded with SL and the 44 Colt are loaded with BP(also more period for the gun using black, but I'm not a stickler for all that). I started out trying/using 25.0, 25.5, and 26.0 grains of Goex FFF black in the 44 Colt loadings, settling in with the 25.0 grain load. Accuracy was no better or worse with the higher grains, although I never checked any with velocity instuments. Bang and smoke were there to for high fives. Last fall I started using FF in the same 25.0 grain loading after reading some of Fox Creek Kids comments on it. So far seems to work good. With the taller 44 Spec case and more volume, the 27.5 grain load you mentioned JWC should not be a problem(ie Pettifogger and Fox CK comments), try some a half grain or one full grain below the 27.5 to compare with accuracy and compression. Should be others on the forum who can give their two-cents on loading 44 Spec with black powder.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Come to think of it, I use the Lee 1.3 cc for .44 Russian & the 1.6 cc for .44 Colt if I recall correctly.

[John William McCandles]

Come to think of it, I use the Lee 1.3 cc for .44 Russian & the 1.6 cc for .44 Colt if I recall correctly.

I use the 1.6cc dipper for my .44 Colt blanks and had been for bp loads but got to having extraction problems when using the .44 Colt rounds in my '66. That's why I reamed my R&M's to .44 spl. That way I can use the same round in both firearms.

The 1.9cc dipper worked out well for the .44 spl casings to get a good compression.

One other thing, I'm running low on bullets, who cast a good 200 gr RNFP bullet with black powder lube?

Thanks
JW

[Coffinmaker]

JWM,

Try Mark Wythe at mwytheleatherworks.  Casts nice big lube bullets w/BP lube.

Coffinmaker

[River City John]

I'll second recommending Mr. Whyte. I get my .45 and .38 slugs from him. Excellent quality control, price and packaging.

RCJ

[Mako]

JWM,
Coffinmaker and River City John are wise and you should take their advice and give Springfield Slim (Mark Whyte) the business.

http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/BigLube.html

A more honest businessman and cowboy is not to be found... You're going to love the trouble he goes to in packaging.

Regards,
Mako