I got my Classic Edition this weekend. It looks like it's going to need hotter loads than what I've seen posted elsewhere. Love the pistol - no problems with the recoil rods coming loose like on the Demolition Ranch YouTube video.
Gun: Auto Mag LTD .44 AMP
8.5-inch Barrel
I learned today that the old loads posted by Kent Lamont and Lee Jurras in the 70s may not be as outlandish as I thought! I'm going to have to step up the powder charges until I get consistent slide lock. I probably should have waited until my gun arrived instead of making so much ammo. Still, can't complain until the gun is broken in.
I haven't shot any groups yet, the target board at the range had been blasted into oblivion and it was way too hot for me! Just fired 5-rounds of each load to get some baseline data. I was not limp-wristing the gun, but the recoil springs are stout!
Bullet: SBR 44 AMP 240 Grain Hornady XTP (Factory)
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600 – 1.605
Average Velocity: 1503 fps
ES: 24
SD: 8
Comments: Multiple stovepipes.
Bullet: Sierra 180 gr. JHC
Powder: Winchester 296 27.0 grs.
Primer: Winchester Large Pistol
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600 – 1.605
Average Velocity: 1668 fps
ES: 200
SD: 76
Comments: Multiple stovepipes, underpowered
Bullet: Hornady 200 gr. XTP-HP
Powder: Winchester 296 26.0 grs.
Primer: CCI-350
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600
Average Velocity: 1723 fps
ES: 40
SD: 16
Comments: All five test rounds stove piped.
@john-d-owens I don't know what is going on with your pistol, but I am getting perfect function, with a charge of 21.5 grs of 296, or H110 behind both 214 and 240 gr bullets. I would never even consider loading 27 grs.
@pete-hoffert the gun needs to be cleaned and lubricated… especially at the interfaces where the bolt rotates around the pin to unlock after the rounds are fired to encourage friction free rotation.
I don't think your problem is with the load as the SBR ammo is plenty hot. I did a pull down and it is 23.5 grains of H110/296. That was from the first group they loaded and I have heard they cut it back half a grain.
The 27 grain load for 180 grain bullets is way low. It takes at least 29 grains and maybe 30 or 31. The 30 grain loads give a nasty blast and were not much fun to shoot, at least for me.
I have never loaded 200 grain bullets.
I agree, the ammo seems plenty hot enough. I’ve never tried using light-for-caliber bullets in the Auto Mag. It seems rather pointless as to enable proper function it requires such heavy powder charges that most just goes out in the form of a fireball. They are hard on the gun too.
Anything in the 22-23gr zone with 110/296 and a 240gr bullet should function your gun all day long. It needs to be lubricated properly and the action should be cycled by hand a bunch to ensure there are no problems. Then it should run easily with SBR ammo. If it doesn’t, pick up the phone and talk to the guys at Auto Mag, let them sort out the issue. Don’t try to ‘fix’ it by pouring a dump truck of powder into your cases.
Guys, I listened and obeyed! Took the barrel assembly off and oiled the bolt and locking lugs again (much more!) I noted slightly less effort in pulling the cocking piece back, so I'll test it again. Please note - I have ONLY fired 20 test rounds. I'm being careful but I love to experiment with my ammo. Please don't kill the messenger! LOL!
P.S. I ordered the charging assist tool - I need it!
FYI: I get fine ejection with 22.5gr of W296 behind a Hornady 240gr XTP using a WLP primer. I have a 6.5" gun.
When I was at the range checking the velocity on my test ammunition, I realized the Hornady 180 grain XTP-HP load was a bad fit. That big ES reading was an indication the powder charge was too low. The max charge in the Sierra Manual is 29.3 grains of 296. They used a reworked GI Case and CCI-350s. Hate to do it, but I'll probably just pull the remaining 45 rounds.
I conducted experiments with the same powder and bullet in both Starline and reworked rifle cases and there was a huge difference. The rifle brass is much thicker and delivers much higher pressures for a given powder load.
You can use your chronograph as a load development tool. Charges above the published max load will be needed to achieve published velocities if using Starline cases.
That said, those light bullets could easily be repurposed for 44 Special/44 Magnum loads. Get thee some proper 240 grain bullets and go from there. 👍
I must eat crow! I shot ten test rounds thru the gun tonight and it functioned 100%. You live and learn! Lube, lube, lube!
I was wrong about the amount of effort needed to pull back the bolt when properly oiled - it was much less. Still want the charging assist tool though.
I was only at the indoor range for a few minutes, and there is one problem with shooting a 44 Auto Mag I didn't anticipate - the amount of attention from other shooters! There's just no way to keep a low profile either.
Lubrication is the key for rotating bolts and actions. Smile, smile, smile! The stainless can be deceiving and you think you want to wipe it all down… not the case. Good job!
I think I'll make up a photo guide when I get a chance on Auto Mag lubrication (for newbies like me). There are two places I think really cut down on the effort to pull back the cocking piece. The recesses at the rear of the bolt for the bolt rotation pin, and the face of the accelerator where it contacts the bolt.
Of course... if somebody else beats me to it - I'm fine with that!
I was stumped that the SBR Factory load gave me so many stovepipes - so I broke down a couple. I'd read post by others who had broken down the factory load and it averaged 23.4 - 23.6 grains of H110/W296. The lot I am using (LOT #180715) was charged with 22.7 grains. It looks like the load was reduced at some time. I made up some test rounds using 23.4 grains of 296 and I think I've found a combo my gun really likes! No malfunctions!
Five shots offhand at 30 feet.
Bullet: Hornady 240 gr. XTP-HP
Powder: Winchester 296 23.4 grs.
Primer: Winchester Large Pistol
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600
I did a pull down of the SBR 44 AMP with 240 grain Hornady XTP's. I bought these back in either 2017 or early in 2018, Lot #180103. I got 23.5 grains of H110/296. I sent some to a friend to verify the powder for sure and he got the same.
I shot some of it in my El Monte and I really felt that it was hotter than I wanted to run in that particular pistol. I was talking to Tim Bell, Auto Mag's head Gunsmith at the time, and he agreed that the SBR stuff was probably a little hotter than the old guns need. He was shooting 22.3 grains of H110/296.
Corbon has made several runs of 44 AMP ammo through the years and I always thought that it was also too hot for the old guns.
I heard somewhere that SBR cut back on their loadings, but that is just hear-say.
Anyone been able to find source for a Case Gauge for the .44 AMP cartridge? I can always plunk test them, but gauges are faster and easier.
BW
