44 mag loads

[Old 454]

I have a new 300 grain MP mold it will cast HP, WFN and a dish nose gas checked.
Powders that are have for magnum loads #9, Blue Dot.
I am all out or nearly all out of H110, W296
So I am seeing new powder out like 11FS, 300 MP etc so what do you think of the new powders (new to me anyway) for 44 mag.

These loading will be used in a Colt Kodiak

Thank you in advance for the info

[Nathan]

First, I would be concerned if my sights can be adjusted to shoot 300gr full power loads…..and can I shoot them well. In my case, I’m more proficient with 3/4 power 240gr loads in a medium sized 44mag….629 5” for me.

I have loaded full power 300gr 45 Colt. I needed a taller front sight to be on paper.. I found 300gr at 1300fps to be alot….so now I load 255gr at like 1150fps.

[Unclenick]

With revolvers, unlike self-loaders, bullet weight does more to determine the vertical point of impact than the powder charge does, so you can test with some modest loads of any bull's-eye load powder to see where it hits. If you feel you can compensate for short-range high POI by aiming low for the field, you may want to see at what longer range the sights are timed correctly for the drop. If you have accurate BC's for the design, once you have the short-range number of inches above the point of aim that it impacts, an exterior ballistics program will tell you where that will be. Or, you can shoot at, say, 25 yards and 100 yards and fiddle with the BC until you get a match for the different points of impact at those ranges relative to POA, and then use that BC to find the sight timing range.

[Mike / Tx]

Honestly, I've gotten somewhat away from the 269/110 loads for my magnums. I found that AA-9, 4227 or N110 work just as well or better due to not having to adhere to such a narrow charge weight.

The N110 is the newest powder I have switched over to. I just like to find something that works and stick with it. I picked up a couple of jugs of #9, and 2400 before prices and availability went stupid.

I do remember meeting some shooting team, either Olympic or NRA, years ago who leaned me towards the AA-9 and the 300gr Sierra. They were shooting insanly tiny groups with open sight revolvers at 200yds. They were using the then brand new Super Redhawks. My standard RH sheared the scope mounting screws after 4 rounds with the 300's, but the recoil wasn't actually bad.

[44 AMP]

My standard RH sheared the scope mounting screws after 4 rounds with the 300's, but the recoil wasn't actually bad.

FELT RECOIL wasn't actually all that bad FOR YOU.

If the gun breaks during recoil, it really IS that "bad".

[totaldla]

Well I use 18gr of Enforcer behind a 300gr cast for 1030fps 4" barrel. I've also used 17gr of AA9 and 2400 for exactly the same velocity with a 300gr hardcast pill.

Sorry, but I have never used AA11 or MP300.

[Old 454]

I love ya Unclenick, I didn’t understand a word of it lol but I am going to look up all those big words and I will be the more wiser for it.
Thank you sir

[Old 454]

Oh for cast bullets 2400 in my use is the best powder for cast bullets in magnum recolver
I also have a couple jugs of #9 and a jug of blue dot also and a few of the older powders IMR 4227 and such

[Mike / Tx]

FELT RECOIL wasn't actually all that bad FOR YOU.

If the gun breaks during recoil, it really IS that "bad".

Absolutely ^^

I suppose a better phrase might have been that the recoil impulse was more of a shove than the palm stinging slap I was accustomed to from the 180 thru 240gr nuclear loads I had been shooting.

I have grown in both age and wisdom since those days and now load to a totally different conservative level. I still have a load or two that might reach those levels, but they aren't on the steady diet menu anymore.

[jimbo4]

I got some 240 grain zero bullets to try l got H110, Heavy Pistol ,Accurate 4100 , Hs-6 , unique . 1st time loading for 44 mag

[44 AMP]

I don't know the others, but I do know Unique and H 110. Unique will get you into the 1200fps range (if your barrel is long enough) but hits the pressure wall before the very highest possibly velocities are reached.

H 110 will get you more velocity than Unique, but doesn't play well with less than full power loadings.
edit to add:
I'm talking about velocity with 240/250 gr bullets, NOT 300gr bullets.

[Dillonhelp]

AA 1680 works well with 300 grain hardcast lead bullets in a 44 magnum. The longer the barrel the better, as it is slower than H-110 or W-296. I used it in a 7 1/2" Ruger Redhawk. Great for hogs!

[Old 454]

Also on the MP 44/444 300 grain cast bullet, this bullet has three crimp groves and correct seating is a must, I have to figure out what one, I am inclined to believe it’s the bottom or second from bottom

[44 AMP]

Insert a bullet into a case, and measure the OAL at each of the three grooves.
Then determine which groove is the best one to use for your gun(s).

Lever guns are notorious for not being very tolerant of extra long rounds, and I've seen a few that don't like to feed "flat nose" bullets, or even SWCs unless everything is "just right".

A revolver, on the other hand doesn't care as much and as long as the loaded rounds don't extend beyond the cylinder face, the gun will work.

[RC20]

For what its worth, in my experience both H110 and 2400 are good full load powders but as noted, they are for the upper velocity end and I would use magnum primers if I had them.

Still shooting old Unique, B Eye, AL-8, H110, 2400 in the 41 magnum. All good powders for various velocities. I found 44 mag powders I used early on were equally good in the 41 mag.

[44 AMP]

H 110 and W296 don't play well when loaded down, and are best used for full house magnum loads.

2400 is more flexible, behaving well at moderate speeds as well as upper end magnum loads.

Note that there are .44 Special loads for 2400. You don't see H110 or 296 loads in .44 Special, often if ever.

Also note that while a magnum primer is nearly always recommended, Elmer Keith's classic load (which was what he developed the .44 Magnum with) used a standard primer and 2400 powder.

Also note that his load is hotter than what is listed in current reloading manuals.

[Nathan]

I wonder how Enforcer or IMR 4227 would treat you?? Too bad H4227 is gone from the world.

Also, how is AA#9 loaded down?

[ammo.crafter]

Check with manufacturer when using Blue Dot at mag levels.

[flyer898]

Full powerloads for the Redhawk call for WW296 and medium power loads call for Hercules (now Alliant) Unique.
I started reloading in 1980 and while there are newer powders, I have more than a liffetime supply of the powders that work for me, so I do not see any reason to change.

[Tony2Shot]

from the "newer" powders 300 MP for full power in the 44 mag and Longshot for moderate loads are outstanding powders, here are my loads for 9.5" SRH:


Bullet ft/lbs Powder Diam. C.O.L. Grs. fps CUP
305 gr 1250e 300-MP .430" 1.730" 18.7 1350 36,500
300 gr 900e Longshot .430" 1.620" 10.5 1160 37,900
350 gr 850e Longshot .430" 1.730" 9.7 1050 35,800

handloading 45+ years