Big Lube Bullets, 44 Russian , and FFFg

[Long Gulch]

I got the 44 200 grain mold for BL bullets. (Thanks DD and Mav Dutchman)

My question is: How much FFFg can I get under the bullet?

Bullets are cast, sized and lubed and ready to load.

My initial calculation is around 20 grains by volume, sound familiar?

Any experiene is appreciated.

Thanks, LG

[Dr. Bob]

I just loaded a couple hundred and got 18 grains by volume in them with moderate compression.  Worked fine.  I measure my powder from a powder flask and had an 18 grain measure.  It's not very fast, but it makes me feel comfortable since I check the level in both the spout and then the case to be sure that I have a full load.  Can't be too safe loading the Holy Black.  Measure the powder - check - fill the case - check & seat the bullet.  Know that the round is right.  Learned to check the powder on each round from my Dad. 

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy Long Gulch,

Happy to know you're taking control of your ammo supply.

I'll give you a general method for loading Genuine Black Powder, Holy Black, not sub/replica or smokeyless heathen fad powder, that will get you in the ball park with pistol caliber SASS black powder ammo in the calibers they allow.  That includes your .44 Russian.

Stand a bullet on it's base and stand a dowel next to it.  Make a mark 1/8" lower than the crimp grove.  That's your measure for a filled case.  Pour in powder till the mark is at the case mouth when the dowel is touching the powder.  Measure that amount of powder and write it down because that's your powder VOLUME for that case and bullet.  Compress the powder when you seat and crimp the bullet.

Load ammo, shoot and enjoy.

DD-DLoS

[Long Gulch]

Thanks  Gents, everything is in gear now!

I've loaded subs in the PAST and the compression thing had me a bit baffled for a moment.
I use the dowel method, but had not thought to add a second mark for the 1/8 inch compression.
After the powder depth is set, I load on a Hornady Lock-N-Load with a Hornady black powder measure and a powder check.

BTW for all you 66/73 44 Special owners. The overall length of the 44 Russian loaded with 200 Grain Big Lube Bullets crimped at the bottom end of the crimp groove is a perfect fit in the Adirondack Jack/Happy Trails carrier conversion for those rifles.

Man, the more I play this game the funner it gets! 

Thanks All, LG

[Hell-Er High Water]

With this combination of caliber (44 Russian) and bullet (200 gr Big Lube)  I load 1.3cc (approx 18.8 gr) of GOEX 3f.  These are loaded on a Dillon 550B progressive press.  Loads are shot in both Uberti 44 Special Open Tops and a 44 Special M'73 Winchester with the conversion carrier.  Great load.

HHW

[Long Gulch]

Well, Hell-Er High Water, looks like we are thinkin along the same line.
I Shoot The same OTs (5-1/2 bbls) converted to Army grips, '66 short rifle w/conversion carrier all in 44 Russian.
For SG it's the TTN, shootin Classic CB using Classic POWDER.

I did settle on 20 grains of FFFg below the BL bullet, loaded 'em up and tried a few.
They do pack a little more thump, but it just feels right.

LG

[Montana Slim]

MAX load for me is 1.26 cc volume of 3F (~21 grains) under the 200 grain bullet. fairly stiff compression with this load.
This load chrographed at 650 fps using Schuetzen powder - 1860 R-M, long barrel.
I've also used 1.18 (~18 grains) cc of 2F, same bullet. Velocity of this load was 610 fps in the same revolver.

I've had good results with 2F or 3F in this with either charge in my assorted .44's including my 1881 Smith DA.
Offhand shooting with that revolver at 50yds is quite impressive, considering my limited abilities.

Gotta Luv them .44s and the BL bullet 

Regards,
Slim

[Mako]

LG,
It's somewhere between 20.5 and 21 grains of 3F, would have to pull some bullets to tell you.  I fill the case up and try for 1/8" compression with a Mav Dutchman.  Crimp it hard to help build pressure and lessen blowback.  I use it in my '66 with an AJ/HT carrier and in Open Tops.  I will use it in my Richards Type 2 Transitions if I start shooting Frontier Cartridge again.

I use 3F to get the pressure up quickly to help obturate the case to seal it.  You might consider annealing case mouths if you get blowback.

~Mako

[Fox Creek Kid]

I've always used the 1.3 cc Lee scoop which varies in weight with powder brand. FFFg seems to work better in the .44 Russian as there is little "oomph" as it is.