Gents,

I'm looking for a substitute for my ultimate pet .44 load. Fact is, I can't find any Federal brass for the .44 Rem Mag.

My pet was 18.0 gr A2400 with a 250gr GC Lyman Devastator HP in FC brass with a CCI 350 primer. Avg 1275 fps from a 6.5" S&W.

I'll be switching to RP brass, because I have a bunch of it. It holds about a grain more water in a fired case than my FC brass.

I'm guessing that with a little extra volume, I can work up to about .3 to .5grains more powder in the case and switch over to a softer WLP primer and hope for good consistent burn at a similar velocity.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

With that load I'd run the same load over your chrono and see what it will do. I would doubt if you will see much difference.

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Bob from Idaho

that's good advice, find the alternative brass that you like and work up with the chrony to the same velocity. most likely it will work just as good. from my experiences the bullet/bore combination is the most critical factor in the equation.

i think i would just make the switch
i just tested a 19gr load in a 24" bbl where all i changed was the brass
there was 50fps difference between 4 different cases.
but this was in my gun.

About 15 years ago I did the same thing only going from WW to Reminton brass. I was shooting H-110. Don't recall the exact numbers but there was a noticeable drop in velocity. H-110 is kinda picky about charges.

Though I never had any failures, the thinner Rem brass bothered me for any max loads. For a mid range load with 2400, I think you'll see minimal changes. Let us know what the chrono tells you.

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Against the wind...

I knew there was a reason I asked...

I just picked out my notes and found a test I did with just switching the brass. Now I know a 5 shot string isn't a good sampling, but I wanted to share with you what I found:

Velocity (fps) 18.0 gr, CCI 350 primer and:

Federal brass
1) 1277, 2) 1286, 3) 1271, 4) 1279, 5) 1292, 6) 1279, 7) 1267, 8) 1273, 9) 1265, 10) 1292

R-P Brass
1) 1137, 2) 1188, 3) 1222, 4) 1245, 5) 1228

I think the dispersion is worth noting, even with only 5 shots.

I am planning on starting with 18.0gr, and working 5 shot strings with both WLP and CCI primers in .3gr increments to 18.6gr. If I get up early enough to head out to the outdoor range, I'll bring the chrony. Otherwise I'll shoot for accuracy and then chrono whatever gives me my best groups.

In reality, I'm hunting with my 629DX from a tree stand with a red dot mounted on it, so all of this isn't worth a hill of beans, but hey. This IS my therapy after all ...

I will keep you all posted, thanks for your interest.

EMC2

Well, I was able to go to the indoor range today and check the loads for accuracy. Your suspicions were correct, as the accuracy differences at 25 yards were minimal and the diviation is potentially indistinguishable from shooter error and load:

5 shot group from a S&W 629DX and a Red Dot scope, off sandbags at 25 yards, 250gr Lyman Devastator GC (BHN 15), R-P Brass charged with A2400 and;

1) [Control] Federal Brass, 18.0gr, CCI 350 = 1.4"

2) 18.0gr, CCI 350 = 2.75" [4 @ 1.35" + 1]
3) 18.3gr, CCI 350 = 2.1" [4 @ 1.3" + 1]
4) 18.6gr, CCI 350 = 1.75"

5) 18.0gr, WLP = 1.7"
6) 18.3gr, WLP = 2.3"
7) 18.6gr, WLP = 1.5" [3 in 1 hole +2]

As I mentioned in a previous post, since (a) these are not "hot" loads, (b) I have a scope on the revolver, and (c) I'll be hunting deer from a tree stand at a distance not to exceed 50 yards, I'll just sight in 2.5" high at 25 yards, and feel comfortable.

However, since I am in love with this hobby, I will load 10 of each of #'s 3 & 7 and report back the next time I can get to the outdoor range.

Thank you all for your input.

EMC2