Posts Tagged ‘44 Magnum’

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Versatile Powders: W231 Load Data

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
Winchester W231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are examples of highly versatile powders - Image copyright 2013 Ultimate Reloader

Winchester W231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are examples of highly versatile powders – Image copyright 2013 Ultimate Reloader

Being able to use a single powder for multiple applications is a great benefit. This standardization can allow you to keep your powder measure loaded with the same powder, make bulk powder purchases more equitable, and generally make your life easier. One great example for pistol loaders is Winchester W231 and Hodgdon HP-38 (the same powder branded differently). I have used this powder for many different cartridges and load levels- it meters great, is super-versatile, and is a great bulk-buy in 8 lb canisters.

To show you just how versatile this powder is, I wanted to share some load data with you all for some of my “standard loads” (non-magnum).

Note: This load data is for reference only. Always cross-reference with manufacturer’s load data. Ultimate Reloader is not responsible for errors or possible issues you may have when using this load data. Use at your own risk.

W231 standard loads

Did you notice something about this load data? All of these loads use the same exact charge weight! So I can actually change over cartridges and not even have to mess with the powder measure! This brings a whole new meaning to “standard loads”. This kind of “Sweet setup” may or may not work out for you- you’ll have to make sure your autoloaders are “happy” with the bullet weights and charge weights used, but in my experience these loads work really well.

One powder, 4 different cartridges, and one charge weight. That’s handy! I just hope I don’t run out of W231/HP-38. :)

Have you guys found good powders other than W231 and HP-38 that you can use in multiple applications? Please share!

Thanks,
Gavin

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Posted in Reloading Blog | 21 Comments »

Hornady Lock-N-Load AP: Overview Part II

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

In my last post, I included a video covering some of the basic features of the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP progressive 5-station reloading press. In this post, I’ll finish the overview of this reloading press with another video covering the case feed system, and demonstrating the press in operation.

I wanted to mention again that I’m publishing a full review of the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP in Northwest Gun Magazine Issue #1, so if you are interested in more information about this press, you’ll want to check out the article for sure.

Thanks,
Gavin

 

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Posted in Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Videos, Northwest Gun Magazine, Reloading Blog, Reloading Videos | 4 Comments »

Hornady Lock-N-Load AP: Overview Part I

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

Well, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be publishing a full review of the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP in Northwest Gun Magazine Issue #1! I decided that since the last overview video I shot for the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP was uploaded over 4 years ago, it was time for a refresh! In this two part series you’ll get a more in-depth look at the construction and features of the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5-station progressive reloading press.

If you are in the market for a reloading press, and are considering the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, this video series will be helpful for making your decision. I’ll also note that I’ll be covering each of the 4 popular 5-Station progressive reloaders in the first 4 issues of Northwest Gun Magazine, so watch here for more updated overview videos!

Update: Here’s a link to Part II of this overview of the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP.

Thanks,
Gavin

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Posted in Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Videos, Reloading Blog | 11 Comments »

Powderfunnels.com universal powder-through expander Part II

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Recently, I posted an overview of the powderfunnels.com universal powder through expander. In this post, I’ve created a video (thanks everyone for the suggestion) showing how it is installed in the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP powder measure, and briefly showing it in use to load 44 Magnum. The setup is basically the same regardless of whether you’re loading 44 Magnum, 45 ACP, 9mm Parabellum, or other pistol cartridges.

I have not personally used this product with the Hornady bullet feeder, but my friend Steve Herndon has, and it has worked well for him. Hope you enjoy this video!

Thanks,
Gavin

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Posted in Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Info Center, Hornady Videos, Reloading Blog | 10 Comments »

Range Report – 44 Special Hard Cast in the Smith and Wesson 629

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

I get a lot of satisfaction out of shooting “bullseye” style when I go to the range. It’s a lot of fun to put in practice time, and to see that practice time (whether dry firing at home, or range time) translate to smaller and smaller groups. It’s also rewarding to spend time with a particular gun, and to hone in your skills with that particular weapon.

Smith and Wesson Model 629 (Author's Hiking Carry Gun) - Image Copyright 2011 Ultimate Reloader

One of my favorite guns to shoot is my 4″ Smith and Wesson 629 44 Magnum. In addition to being a go-to range gun it’s what I choose to carry while hiking in the North Cascades near where I live. If I encounter a bear, I want to have something more effective than pepper spray, or my acting skills (play dead and they’ll walk away??). This a very versatile gun, and I love the fact that I can shoot full house 44 Magnum loads with it, and also 44 Special loads (in 44 Magnum brass) for all-day shooting fun.

Today I went shooting with this gun and had great results with one of my favorite loads for this gun. I shot some full-house 44 magnum loads, and then proceeded to shoot several groups with 44 special loads using hard-cast 240 grain bullets. Semi-wadcutters are great at the range because they punch nice big and clean holes in the paper that are easy to see.

Here’s one of my best groups of the day – shooting off hand (two hand hold) at a distance of 30′

 

I really like the loads used here. Kind of a medium 44-special, but with some kick (not the super-mild variety).

Here’s the load specifics: (use load data at your own risk, always cross-reference load data against manufacturer’s published data)

Bullet: Tru-Cast 240 grain Semi-Wadcutter hard cast bullets
Brass: Starline 44 Magnum
Powder: Winchester 231
Powder Charge: 5.2 grains
Primer: Wolf Large Pistol

Tru-Cast bullets have proven to be a great value ($50/500 for these at the time of this writing) – and have performed very well – with minimal leading in a good gun. Give them a try and see what you think!

**Edit: I was just informed that Jim is not selling bullets at this time. :( I’ll let you all know if he re-opens his bullet company. Thanks.

Another good trip to the range! Hope you all are getting in some range time… Happy shooting!

Thanks,
Gavin

 

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Posted in Reloading Blog, Reloading Videos, Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

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