.44 Mag 240gr and IMR 4227

Bruce_Hunter00 · February 18, 2015, 01:20 PM

As you all know finding handgun powder at a reasonable price is difficult these days.

Cabela's had some IMR 4227 so I though I'll give it a try.
My favorite load is 23.4 grains of Lill-Gun.
I use a Lee turret press with a double disk powder measure.

So I used the recommended disk for the same load.
When I actually measured the powder it was really about 22.5 grains.
So I did some research and found this VMD calculator below.

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/xls/

So I entered in my data and WOW the drop load is 22.5 grains this is exactly what I measured.

Thanks ranchdogoutdoors!

I is nice to know you can teach an old dog new tricks.

T. O'Heir · February 18, 2015, 03:21 PM

IMR4227 is one of the go-to .44 Mag powders. Hodgdon gives 22.0 to 24.0 for a jacketed 240.
IMR4227 does astounding things with a 110 HP out of the .30 Carbine too.

Nick_C_S · February 18, 2015, 03:33 PM

Quote:

T. O'Heir said: "IMR 4227 is one of the go-to.44 Mag powders."

T. O'Heir is right. It is among THE most respected propellants for the application. I've never used it personally, as I'm a W296 guy. For the application, the two powders have a bit of a rivalry relationship - a bit like Ford n Chevy, if you will.

sawdustdad · February 18, 2015, 09:47 PM

I used to load .44mag with 2400 and W296, both near max recommended loads. This year I switched to 4227 and tried loads from 13g to 20g. I like 4227 in this cartridge (I'm using 240g plated or jacketed bullets) because you can load it down or up as you wish safely.

Bruce_Hunter00 · February 20, 2015, 09:07 AM

Have you used Max loads with IMR 4227?
I loaded one 24gr load and when it warms up I'll test for over pressure.

rclark · February 20, 2015, 02:59 PM

Quote:

For the application, the two powders have a bit of a rivalry relationship - a bit like Ford n Chevy, if you will.

Not quite.... The 110/296 basically has a 'stuck' wide open throttle (very narrow load band), where-as the 4227 has a totally normal throttle and can throttle down to where you may want to be! I've tested 17g up to 23g under 240g SWC and it worked fine, but for my use, I've settled on Unique, Universal, or 20/28 for general purpose loads and 2400 when I need a little warmer load. Where I live I don't need the hot stuff. I really liked 4227 for .45 Colt, but found it a bit expensive for General shooting (20.0g vs say 7.0g of another powder).

Nick_C_S · February 20, 2015, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Not quite.... The 110/296 basically has a 'stuck' wide open throttle (very narrow load band), where-as the 4227 has a totally normal throttle. . .

Heh, okay. Fair enough. Perhaps my Ford/Chevy analogy was a bit thin.

mxsailor803 · February 23, 2015, 11:53 AM

I like to use 4227 and W296 in my .44's. These powders are some of my favorites overall. Now, if you are wanting a light recoil, range load, try Trail Boss. I love using that stuff in my light loads. Makes a .44mag kick like a light .38spl.

madmo44mag · February 23, 2015, 11:54 AM

IMR 4227 is great in 44 at mag velocities.
It has never performed well for me in any of my 44's when under loaded.

February 18, 2015, 01:20 PM	#1
Bruce_Hunter00 Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 8	.44 Mag 240gr and IMR 4227 As you all know finding handgun powder at a reasonable price is difficult these days. Cabela's had some IMR 4227 so I though I'll give it a try. My favorite load is 23.4 grains of Lill-Gun. I use a Lee turret press with a double disk powder measure. So I used the recommended disk for the same load. When I actually measured the powder it was really about 22.5 grains. So I did some research and found this VMD calculator below. http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/xls/ So I entered in my data and WOW the drop load is 22.5 grains this is exactly what I measured. Thanks ranchdogoutdoors! I is nice to know you can teach an old dog new tricks.

February 18, 2015, 03:21 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	IMR4227 is one of the go-to .44 Mag powders. Hodgdon gives 22.0 to 24.0 for a jacketed 240. IMR4227 does astounding things with a 110 HP out of the .30 Carbine too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 23, 2015, 11:54 AM	#9
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	IMR 4227 is great in 44 at mag velocities. It has never performed well for me in any of my 44's when under loaded. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

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February 18, 2015, 09:47 PM	#4
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	I used to load .44mag with 2400 and W296, both near max recommended loads. This year I switched to 4227 and tried loads from 13g to 20g. I like 4227 in this cartridge (I'm using 240g plated or jacketed bullets) because you can load it down or up as you wish safely.

February 20, 2015, 09:07 AM	#5
Bruce_Hunter00 Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 8	Have you used Max loads with IMR 4227? I loaded one 24gr load and when it warms up I'll test for over pressure.

February 23, 2015, 11:53 AM	#8
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	I like to use 4227 and W296 in my .44's. These powders are some of my favorites overall. Now, if you are wanting a light recoil, range load, try Trail Boss. I love using that stuff in my light loads. Makes a .44mag kick like a light .38spl.