Looking for data 300grn 44 slow slow slow

Prebanpaul

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 2, 2009
2,279
721
Akron Ohio Summit
I am looking to see if there is any rounds out there for a 300 grain bullet shot out of 44 spcl or magnum brass. I am trying to get into the 700-800fps range.

Essentially I have a 25 yard shot at a feeder for deer. I am trying to keep this as quite as possiable. Anyone out there accomplished this. Will be shooting it out of new 77/44
 
Why limit to 700-800. Why not just go off load data for 1000FPS? Is this with a can? Going to be quiet either way.
Rifle load data (NOT Hand Gun) for 1000FPS with an 18" barrel with 300gn XTP is 11.4gr of H110. If you are truly set on going even slower, you could risk downloading. I just see no point.
 
My goal is keeping the ~300gr bullets just comfortably under the transonic zone. Don't really see any benefit to going super slow, if you're trying to use HPs, they may not open very well, and if you're using jacketed you need to be careful about sticking one in a long barrel.

The 305gr below are cast HPs, the 300gr XTPs are jacketed HPs. I have also used 300gr Nosler hp jacketed bullets, including on one of my deer this year and they work well, similar velocities to the XTP for load.

These are out of my Henry X, but I get similar velocities out of my 16.5" 77/44. Pistol powders below that work well are CFEP Pistol, Win 231/HP38 and Longshot.
Screenshot_20250125-170121.png

Screenshot_20250125-165736.png

Screenshot_20250125-170105.png


Screenshot_20250125-170043.png
Screenshot_20250125-170524.png
 
Last edited:
I download 44magnum with Unique. Accurate No 9 would likely work as well. There is a ton of good published data for 44mag loads in the 900fps range
This is good advice. You want a fluffy, fast burning powder. The VV pistol powders that are extruded also work pretty well too. While not in 44 Mag, I have experimented with a variety of powders in this capacity including N340, Red Dot, Bullseye, etc and all have worked fine in 45 Colt and 300 BLK (under light bullets in subsonic loads).

Trying to load H110 at extremely reduced loads is a recipe for at best inconsistent velocities, and at worst weird ignition problems or even detonation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Emerson0311
I have been fighting 300gr XTP's in a 77/44 for 20 years. I have an integral 77/44 from the old John's Guns, John Tibbits from Palestine TX. I have 2 spots that have a 35 yd and a 53 yd shot for hogs so I am not worried about 100+ yard accuracy.

John's recommended load was 300gr XTP, 14.0 gr W296, WW case, Fed primer. I will think I have it shooting 3/4" at 50yards and then it or me pulls a wild one that opens up to 3-4". I have even tried shooting no more than 2 shots in case I am getting some thermal expansion in the suppressor. Still no joy. I will shoot it for a while and put it up for a year or 2, get the itch again and try again. I have tried 10-15 powders with no luck for a repeatable group. I have tried large rifle std primers, all case prep and trim on the brass, etc. The only thing I haven't done yet is free float the suppressor. PITA.

The factory barrel on a 77/44 is 1:20 (new listing), the older guns have been listed as 1:16.

Everything I read says try 240-250 gr with a factory barrel. Lots of people say they get good accuracy with Trail Boss. I have never gotten that powder to shoot. I had no luck with the lighter bullets either. I won't shoot lead in this because it has a ported barrel and can't be taken apart.

I picked up a 77/357, SBR'ed it and it will consistently shoot 190gr lead at about 5/8" @50 and it is a blast to shoot!
 
Op, you should be able to run a 300g bullet to 900 or 950 fps without much trouble. Likely best to use a lighter bullet meant to expand from a pistol at low velocity as long as you can take a clean shot.

Lots of good info in above posts. 900 or 950 will be quieter than typical 1050fps, so I'd be doing the same if quieter is better.

Ive had good luck on downloaded subs using 44 special cases and 44 mag cases. A cast wide flat nose bullet is good here too as well as hollowpoints intended foe low speed use. Unique, trail boss, 800x, tin star, and even red dot in some circumstances.