.44 Mag load question

4T4MAG · July 4, 2011, 06:54 PM

I am loading a .44 mag 240grn HDY/XTP with 23.75 grns of H110. I use the same load in my Ruger SBH and Redhawk. I am using a Federal Premium large mag. match primer. After firing, I am getting a few little golden/yellow grains of power that are not burning. What am I doing wrong? I am not using a progressive loader and clean my brass every time.

TXGunNut · July 4, 2011, 07:37 PM

Barrel length? Slow powders don't have time to git-r-done in the shorter barrels.

4T4MAG · July 4, 2011, 09:04 PM

7.5" bbl length on both.

GeauxTide · July 4, 2011, 09:47 PM

H-110 is dirty. I've had good results with CCI Large Pistol Magnum primers. I use 23 grains and still have some unburned. One thing that helped me was to bell the case only enough to start the bullet and be sure that the entire cannelure was filled by the case mouth. You should be able to see the outline of the bullet in the case. The other is to ensure that your sizing die sizes to minimum spec.

Steve in PA · July 4, 2011, 10:51 PM

I use 24.0gr of H110, CCI 350 large Pistol Mag Primers and 240 XTPs out of my 9.5" SRH. No unburnt powder.

I'd advise trying a mag primer and making sure you have a good crimp.

TXGunNut · July 4, 2011, 10:55 PM

Mag primers worth a try, back off the powder just a bit when you make the change.

4T4MAG · July 5, 2011, 11:06 AM

I have been using the Federal Mag Match Pistol primers. I am using what I think to be a fairly heavy crimp. I will try a little more on the crimp and set it right at the top of the cannelure. I can see a pretty good outline of the bullet when it is set in the case. I use a 3 set Redding die set.

BruceM · July 5, 2011, 11:19 AM

Heavy crimp is not the same thing as tight bullet pull (neck tension). Be sure that the expander is at least .003" smaller than the bullet diameter. If it is, try a different magnum primer. I've shoot thousands of rounds of .44 magnum handloads using 24.0 grains of H110 with Lyman 429421 or the Sierra 240 grain JHC with no unburned powder thru various Smith 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" M29's or 629's. The key is very tight bullet pull +a heavy roll crimp and the crimp is the last line of defense in keeping the bullet from jumping the crimp and complete powder combustion, not the first.

Bruce

crowbeaner · July 8, 2011, 05:17 PM

I use the same load that Steve in PA uses. Try this- use a 41 mag expander to flare the case mouth just enough to start the bullet. This will increase the neck tension on the bullet somewhat and may help reduce the unburned powder.

Clark · July 10, 2011, 11:18 AM

I load 60 different cartridges, and the load changes every time I load, except 44 mag, that has been 24 gr H110, 240 gr JHP for the 13 years I have been handloading. It does not burn clean like Blue Dot in a 223, but it is not as dirty as old Unique.

H110 does require a good roll crimp for everything but the stiffest of loads.

Rifleman1776 · July 10, 2011, 12:15 PM

I do similar loads in my Ruger Redhawk .44 mag.
Use standard primers. Give a pretty good crimp.
I like 110 and get good results.

July 4, 2011, 06:54 PM	#1
4T4MAG Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Posts: 162	.44 Mag load question I am loading a .44 mag 240grn HDY/XTP with 23.75 grns of H110. I use the same load in my Ruger SBH and Redhawk. I am using a Federal Premium large mag. match primer. After firing, I am getting a few little golden/yellow grains of power that are not burning. What am I doing wrong? I am not using a progressive loader and clean my brass every time.

July 4, 2011, 07:37 PM	#2
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Barrel length? Slow powders don't have time to git-r-done in the shorter barrels. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

July 4, 2011, 10:51 PM	#5
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	I use 24.0gr of H110, CCI 350 large Pistol Mag Primers and 240 XTPs out of my 9.5" SRH. No unburnt powder. I'd advise trying a mag primer and making sure you have a good crimp. __________________ Steve

July 4, 2011, 10:55 PM	#6
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Mag primers worth a try, back off the powder just a bit when you make the change. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

July 8, 2011, 05:17 PM	#9
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I use the same load that Steve in PA uses. Try this- use a 41 mag expander to flare the case mouth just enough to start the bullet. This will increase the neck tension on the bullet somewhat and may help reduce the unburned powder. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

July 4, 2011, 09:04 PM	#3
4T4MAG Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Posts: 162	7.5" bbl length on both.

July 4, 2011, 09:47 PM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,426	H-110 is dirty. I've had good results with CCI Large Pistol Magnum primers. I use 23 grains and still have some unburned. One thing that helped me was to bell the case only enough to start the bullet and be sure that the entire cannelure was filled by the case mouth. You should be able to see the outline of the bullet in the case. The other is to ensure that your sizing die sizes to minimum spec.

July 5, 2011, 11:06 AM	#7
4T4MAG Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2009 Posts: 162	I have been using the Federal Mag Match Pistol primers. I am using what I think to be a fairly heavy crimp. I will try a little more on the crimp and set it right at the top of the cannelure. I can see a pretty good outline of the bullet when it is set in the case. I use a 3 set Redding die set.

July 5, 2011, 11:19 AM	#8
BruceM Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2006 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 285	Heavy crimp is not the same thing as tight bullet pull (neck tension). Be sure that the expander is at least .003" smaller than the bullet diameter. If it is, try a different magnum primer. I've shoot thousands of rounds of .44 magnum handloads using 24.0 grains of H110 with Lyman 429421 or the Sierra 240 grain JHC with no unburned powder thru various Smith 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" M29's or 629's. The key is very tight bullet pull +a heavy roll crimp and the crimp is the last line of defense in keeping the bullet from jumping the crimp and complete powder combustion, not the first. Bruce

July 10, 2011, 11:18 AM	#10
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I load 60 different cartridges, and the load changes every time I load, except 44 mag, that has been 24 gr H110, 240 gr JHP for the 13 years I have been handloading. It does not burn clean like Blue Dot in a 223, but it is not as dirty as old Unique. H110 does require a good roll crimp for everything but the stiffest of loads. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

July 10, 2011, 12:15 PM	#11
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I do similar loads in my Ruger Redhawk .44 mag. Use standard primers. Give a pretty good crimp. I like 110 and get good results.