Quote Originally Posted by tinbum View Post
Tomorrow I pick up my model 29 and the delivery of powder, caps and mould are due. I have two probably daft questions:

1: I am using a Lee round nose 240grn bullet, I am going for a soft firing .44 special but can find no data on the vectan site for this bullet.

1a) Can I use the data for another 240grn bullet (jacketed soft point)
1b) in a magnum rather than special case

2: The figure given for the starting load with the jacketed is around 250 ft-lb. Does that mean it gives the same recoil as a similar power .38 special, albeit with a heavier pistol?

I hope those make sense
Yes you can use the data for the lead bullet
By using the magnum cases you will get lower pressure & velocity because of the larger case volume
I would suggest starting at the min recommend powder and go up in .5 increments up to the max for the listed 44sp (which is quite a bit lower than the min load for 44mag)
You should be looking for acceptable recoil and accuracy of groups (so don’t ‘bother’about ft-lb energy).
The use of jacketed rounds would minimise lead fouling but for target loads all lead will be fine .
Hope this helps