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Old August 30, 2005, 10:16 PM   #1
IM_Lugger
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best powder for .44mag?

what's the best powder for .44mag? some load info would be great too


are HP38 or HS6 any good for .44?
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Old August 30, 2005, 10:30 PM   #2
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My favorite full power load with a S&W M629 .44 uses W296 powder and a 250 H&G cast bullet at 1400 fps thru Oehler chronograph. (Some say Hodgdon H110 is the same powder.) Check Win and Hodgdon data for specific loads. I prefer not to list exact powder weights because I think one should NEVER take another person's suggested load. Hint: My full power loads typically are a grain or two under the max specified load.

Good shooting and be safe.
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ps: My mid-range loads for .44 Mag use Accurate Arms AA5 powder and 210 grain bullet at 1100 fps.
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Old August 31, 2005, 05:27 AM   #3
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ask better questions

Like "What's good for medium loads?" or "What do you like for hunting ammo?" and stuff like that.......

Help us out here.
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Old August 31, 2005, 08:13 AM   #4
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I use HP-38 for my .44 loads....I use 6.9 grains with 240 gr lrfn heads for target and I used 10.5gr with the lrfn , this is a little stronger load but still commfy to shoot and accurate too.
I shoot these loads out of a Super Blackhawk with 7 1/2 inch barrel that is magnaported......Works for me
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Old August 31, 2005, 10:19 AM   #5
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If we're talking full-power loads, I'm always amazed at the accuracy of 23.0g of H-110 powder under a 240g Hornady XTP.
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Old August 31, 2005, 12:37 PM   #6
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target shooting only...

I just want something that feels about the same (but not more) powerful as a factory .44 target load. Also .44spl power loads would be useful as well.

I’ll experiment with hot loads letter.

it would be shot out of Taurus Raging Bull
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Old August 31, 2005, 12:49 PM   #7
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Lugger: "I’ll experiment with hot loads letter. "

I do hope you are joking. Full power .44 Mag loads generally create over 40,000 pounds per square inch pressure. Loads hotter than that belong in a strong bolt action rifle. Anyone shooting loads above recognized safe max should be sure to have their spare hands and eyes close by cause they may need them. I've been reloading for 40+ years and still have my originals. If you need more power, use a bigger caliber or rifle.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
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Old August 31, 2005, 01:23 PM   #8
NorWestr
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I use both Unique and Bluedot for my light-midlevel target loads. Heres Alliants site where you'll find their data. Loads shown are MAX loads,reduce by 10 % and work up.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/
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Old August 31, 2005, 01:36 PM   #9
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LHB1, I didn't say I'll go nuts, I'm a farly cautious guy...

factory .44 loads range from 800-1200ft-lb in energy levels, so by hot loads I meant ~1000ft-lb not 1200ft-lb+
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Old August 31, 2005, 03:22 PM   #10
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Lugger,
My apologies if I misunderstood you. To me, "hot" loads mean loads ABOVE RECOGNIZED SAFE MAX as published in std reloading manuals. If loads are at/within published safe limits, I refer to them as "full power" to distinguish. Lower level loads are called "field" loads, "target" loads, and the lightest are called "powder puff" loads. Be extra careful with both full power loads and powder puff loads as both can cause problems .

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
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Old August 31, 2005, 04:51 PM   #11
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Actually SAAMI specs out the .44 mag at 36,000 psi average pressure. There are a few (Buffalo Bore, Garrett, etc.) that go beyond that...36,000-40,000 psi, but there is no SAAMI spec that recognizes +P or any other designation above or beyond the standard limit. Standard pressures can become dangerously high due to the many variables involved in shooting...(weather, firearm tolerances, sloppy maintenance,), to name a few, so the major ammo makers, intentionally load below the cartridges full potential, to compensate for all those variables that could push their products above the limit. Of course, when it comes to reloading...all bets are off. Hopefully knowledge, and common sense will prevail...
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Old August 31, 2005, 05:20 PM   #12
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Try some 2400 for 44 mag.I use it for 357 and have had great results.It was made for heavy magnum loads.As for load data I would go to the powder makers and use the data that they provide.They will be happy to send it to you or you in most cases you can download it.Also I would pick up a copy of Lymans pistol load book as I have found it to be most helpful.
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Old August 31, 2005, 05:39 PM   #13
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Full power loads= H-110
Most other loads= Unique

I use Unique more than anything else.12 grs. behind a 180 gr. Hornady XTP for general use. A pound of powder lasts forever at these charge levels, and that load is a perfect blend of accuracy and recoil. Plus it will do 90% of what I need my .44 for. For the other 10%, I use a near max charge of H-110 with a 300 gr. XTP, 270 gr. Gold Dot, or a cast 310 gr. flat point.
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Old August 31, 2005, 05:46 PM   #14
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PowerPistol for 44 mag target loads.

I used to use Unique. Since I always have a pound or two of PowerPistol around for 9mm and 357 Sig I've been working up some 44 Mag loads as well. Try starting around 11 grains with a 240 grain JHP and working up. Probably not the ideal powder for this application but it works well.

For full power loads I've used Hodgdon H110 with 240 and 270 grain bullets.
Take Care
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Old August 31, 2005, 06:30 PM   #15
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I use Unique w/240 gr. jhp in my Magnaported super black hawk 71/2". I can't remember the grains for sure so I won't tell you. They shoot very well and are light.
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Old August 31, 2005, 06:47 PM   #16
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Target: 7-10ish grains of clays or unique. HS-6 MAY work(don't know for sure but it works well in 38 special, so it should be ok for a plinker pressure load in 44 mag).

Serious stuff: Around 17.5 to 20.0 grains of 2400 under a 245 slug should work well. If you want heavy try 17.5 to 20.0 grains of 296 under a 300 grain hornady XTP. These are "full snort" loads, but still in spec with most manuals. However the top loads listed are at or close to max in most curent manuals. WORK UP SLOWLY, and cross check at least two manuals for data accuracy.

Also lighter charges of slow powders like a good crimp to work consistently. Good shooting!!
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Old September 1, 2005, 08:05 AM   #17
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I've used this for the last 20 years: H110 powder, 28.0gr with a large pistol magnum primer and 180gr JHP bullet (Remington bullets, purchased in bulk through Midway). Used it to shoot at bowling pins at 200yards using a red dot sight....held half the size of the pin high, off hand, and knocked pins down to the point that a fellow shooter (stranger) got inquisitive about what I was doing. Found him in the gun shop the next week buying the same rig I had..........
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Old September 1, 2005, 11:35 AM   #18
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For full-power ammo I really like W-W296, a WLP primer and a 240gr Hornady XTP. I've only found one .44 Magnum so far that didn't shoot better than average with this combo. Look at the freebie Winchester manual for the exact charge, but it IS the max listed. I don't recall it, so I won't cite it, for I haven't loaded that combo for a while. My estimate is that at max charge it is good for 1300-1400fps out of a 6" revolver. While I don't find it uncomfortable, I do know a few shooters who cannot manage this level. (Needless to say, I don't give these guys any 300s! ) I've also found 240gr Winchester JSP or HSP to work well in my pistol.

As far as general plinking and practice, I have a real fondness for .44 Specials and moderate-level .44 Magnums. These I load with W-W231, either a CCI-300 or WLP and some 240gr cast SWC I find locally. I load to about 1100fps with the magnum brass and around 750 with the Special brass, this out of a 6" revolver. Not quite as accurate as the full-house loads, but more economical and easier to shoot for extended periods.
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Old September 1, 2005, 01:51 PM   #19
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Com'on, you guys. Practice with .454 Casull then go out with your full-power .44's.............no problems with flinching then...........
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Old September 2, 2005, 10:58 PM   #20
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Old September 5, 2005, 08:29 PM   #21
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Feed the animal what it likes!!!!!

I got a S&W 29 6 1/2" barrel and ProPoint that does not like, for accuacy purposes, the hottest loads. I have tried many combinations over the years and have found a couple of really good loads.
The Sierra FPJ 250 over 21.5grns of W296 and a WLP primer is my most accurate, about 1" or less at 50yds. My hunting load is 21grns of H110 with a Rem 2 1/2 primer and a Sierra 240grn JHC. It will hold under 1 1/2 at 50yrds everytime.
I have tried Hornady and Speer but didn't get the groups like I do with Sierra. Haven't tried Nosler yet. Did try some 2400 and some quicker powders but again not near the luck. I do give the bullets a good squeeze with a roll crimp just to make sure they aint gonna move.
We do 24" saw blades at 200yrds hanging from a cable. The "ring" of them is cool and they don't leave a mess. We also do some "mulching" shooting at log rounds, 3-4" dia and 10 to 14"s long, hanging next to the blades.


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Put em in at the bench and get rid of them down the barrel
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