Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .44 S&W Russian with .43 | 220gr | Sierra FPJ FN bullet and 3 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon TrailBoss and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 4.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 92% | 12,546 psi | 87% | 722 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,894 psi | 89% | 755 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 64% | 12,154 psi | 84% | 705 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | 3.2 gr | 60% | 6,527 psi | 45% | 551 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 3.3 gr | 60% | 6,237 psi | 43% | 548 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,950 psi | 76% | 679 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 2 powders for .44 S&W Russian loaded with the .43 | 220gr | Sierra FPJ FN. ReloadSwiss RS 14 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 755 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 722 fps to 755 fps. ReloadSwiss RS 14 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 2 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (100 MPa), the top charges use 87–89 %, leaving at least 11 % headroom. ReloadSwiss RS 14 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .44 S&W Russian with the .43 | 220gr | Sierra FPJ FN they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.