Note that they are using rifle brass. Expect velocities about 100 FPS lower if using Starline pistol brass. Loads can be increased accordingly AFTER having first established safe (or insufficient) pressures if using Starline brass.
@pantera-mike Thanks for the data pantera-mike. Looks to be nearly identical to the 9th edition.
The Saeco #431 looks like it was designed for the 44 Auto Mag! Plan to load one test round at a time until slide lock is achieved.
I guess I should have paid more attention to Kent Lomont's advice, not enough power to lock back the bolt. Good feeding though!
Bullet: Matt’s Bullets Saeco #431 (.430 255 Gr. Flat Nose Gas Check)
Powder: Hodgdon H-110 22.1 grs.
Primer: Federal 155
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.595
@john-d-owens looks very good, let us know if you see any leading issues, I am interested to see if the gas checks can keep up with these loads. I'm betting that is going to be very accurate also.
I guess one should pay heed to the writings of Kent Lomont! Perfect function with this load and no leading, recoils just like the SBR factory load minus the muzzle flash. Hope to send test groups and chronograph results if the weather permits.
Bullet: Matt’s Bullets Saeco #431 (.430 255 Gr. Flat Nose Gas Check)
Powder: Hodgdon H-110 23.6 grs.
Primer: Federal 155
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600
Shot a couple of five round test groups at 30 feet, no malfunction, no leading and accurate!
First five shots (offhand)
Finally got some good weather for using my chronograph! Here are the results for my 44 AMP cast bullet load (10-shot string).
Bullet: Matt’s Bullets Saeco #431 (.430 255 Gr. Flat Nose Gas Check)
Powder: Hodgdon H-110 23.5 grs.
Primer: Federal 155
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600
Average Velocity: 1466 fps
ES: 52
SD: 16
Not what I expected, I thought I would get some extra velocity using a cast bullet. No leading at all...
I was curious about using Barnes Bullets in my 44 AMP. I was only able to find some Barnes 225 gr. XPBs and of course there was no load data to be found! One thing I'd didn't consider was the length of copper bullets compared to more conventional jacketed bullets. As you can see in the picture the Barnes bullet takes up a lot of powder space - I didn't think it was going to work. When I compared it to the Hornady 300 grain XTP it was very similar in length, nose to crimp, and shank length. I decided to give it a try and surprisingly - it worked! Still more work to do, hopefully the final load will have enough velocity to make it suitable for hunting hogs or whitetail. For Science!
Bullet: Barnes 225 gr. XPB
Powder: Hodgdon H-110 20.1
Primer: Federal 155
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.615
Comments: Compressed powder charge.
Left to right.
44 AMP round with Barnes 225 gr. XPB, Barnes 225 gr. XPB, Hornady 240 gr. XTP-HP, Sierra 240 gr. JHC, 44 AMP round with Hornady 240 gr. XTP-HP
Chronograph results for the previous load (I did change to the Winchester Large Pistol Primer)
Bullet: Barnes 225 gr. XPB (all copper hollow point)
Powder: Hodgdon H-110 20.0 grs.
Primer: Winchester Large Pistol
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.615
Average Velocity: 1357 fps
ES: 64
SD: 23
I think I might test Ramshot Enforcer with this bullet. I really like this load, functions 100% with lighter recoil.
P.S. I don't think it's a compressed load but the powder reaches to the bottom of the bullet for sure...
So John, Lehigh Defense makes a 220 grain .429 solid copper bullet dubbed the penetrator. Do you think your reloading data would correlate to that bullet which is similar in weight and material?
I did look at the Lehigh bullets but I was worried they might not feed. My load wasn't anywhere near a maximum load - if the bullets are similar in bearing length it should work. The grooves in the Lehigh bullet should keep pressures down too.
