Best Modern Powder for 44 Mag? - Page 3

therifleman556 · August 19, 2013, 10:25 PM

Just an update:

My loads with 800X shot decent, but leading with 240 hard cast was terrible. I tried a starting load of H110 that left narry a streak of lead but accuracy was so-so. My local shop has some 2400. I think I will try that since I'm not a huge fan of shooting full-throttle loads all the time.

zxcvbob · August 19, 2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

My loads with 800X shot decent, but leading with 240 hard cast was terrible. I tried a starting load of H110 that left narry a streak of lead but accuracy was so-so. My local shop has some 2400. I think I will try that since I'm not a huge fan of shooting full-throttle loads all the time.

Have I mentioned Herco yet? About 12 grains should be good (but near max) with 240's, work your way down from there if that's still too close to "full throttle".

Powderman · August 20, 2013, 01:51 AM

I have used five different powders for the .44 magnum:

1. Hercules/Alliant Bullseye: A decent powder, but I wanted more case density.
2. Hercules/Alliant Blue Dot: Used for 3/4 to full throttle loads.
3. Hercules/Alliant Herco: An excellent powder; I have used 9.0 grains with my cast 250 grain Keith style SWC with excellent results.
4. H110/W296: When I want the BOOM and the BLAST! VERY high performance powder; needs a good load and heavy crimp.
5. Hercules/Alliant Unique: This has become my go-to powder. I don't hunt with my .44 (a Model 29), just shoot it for pleasure. I use what I have found was Elmer Keith's accuracy load for the Magnum: 8.5 grains of Unique under the 250 Keith style LSWC, cast from RCBS molds, sized to .430 and lubed with Javelina Alox. A very nice load--won't try to launch itself to the moon and is actually pleasant to shoot. Also, it is the most accurate load for my revolver.

therifleman556 · August 20, 2013, 06:10 AM

Availability, my friend. Right now I can't even find 4895. My shop has H110 and 2400, though. If 2400 could do 1200 fps at the pressures needed to keep my barrel clean with hard cast, I would consider that a good high volume load. If one were able to find Herco, where does it fall on the burn rate chart?

zxcvbob · August 20, 2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

If one were able to find Herco, where does it fall on the burn rate chart?

It's between Unique and Blue Dot -- probably closer to Unique. Not sure how it compares to AA#5 but it is definitely faster than AA#7. And it is very bulky.

Rifleman1776 · August 21, 2013, 08:34 AM

Personally, I strongly dislike trying to select the "best" of anything. It is usually an impossible goal.
What I like about reloading, and with the .44 mag. especially, is the versatility one can get. I have used many powders and loads in my maggie. To my way of thinking, there simply is not "best" powder.
However, as my shooting declined for health reasons I did settle on one powder as a comprimise, but still excellent, all-arounder powder. And that is H110.

WESHOOT2 · August 22, 2013, 03:20 PM

While MY lots of H110 and W296 differ significantly, and N110 is awesome, I reach for AA9 for less-than-nuke 44 Magnum. It offers both high velocity AND stellar accuracy.
It also doesn't much care about operating environment.

And I wouldn't be sad if I could only get 2400......

Bill56 · August 22, 2013, 06:01 PM

For hunting (read: hot) loads: 24.0 gr H110 and 240 gr XTP

For a moderate target load: 12.5 gr 800x and 240 gr Nosler SJSP

I also have some AA No. 9 and Alliant MP-300 on hand that I haven't tried yet. The MP-300 supposedly will produce hot loads like the W296/H110 without having to use magnum primers.

noylj · August 22, 2013, 10:58 PM

If you don't press the velocity/pressure envelope, then I wouldn't use 296/H110.
If you want a new powder, Power Pro 300MP.
I'm still more than satisfied with the accuracy and consistency of 2400 and 4227. I give up maybe 50 fps at the top, but I load for accuracy and not max velocity.

Clark · August 25, 2013, 12:12 AM

Modern 44 mag loads must compensate for global warming

"Speer 3" 1959 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 6" 1964 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 7" 1966 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 8" 1970 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1521 fps
"Speer 9" 1974 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........19.5 gr. 2400 1344 fps
"Speer 10" 1979 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 22.2 gr. 2400 1392 fps.
"Speer 11" 1987 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 22.2 gr. 2400 1452 fps
"Speer 12" 1994 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 17.7 gr. 2400 1271 fps
"Speer 13" 1998 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 21.0 gr. 2400 1434 fps
"Speer 14" 2007 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 21.0 gr. 2400 ???? fps

image above same as link below

JawjaBoy · August 26, 2013, 03:51 PM

H110 and W296 are definitely HOT powders in the .44 Mag., but I personally don't care to shoot many of them at a time. Why? Because the recoil seems to be much sharper than my loads with 2400. And my chronograph shows that all I gain is +/-100 fps or so depending on the load. The real deal maker with 2400 for me is accuracy. Nothing I've tried has matched the load to load accuracy of good old 2400.

I do want to try some MP-300, but I have not been able to find it anywhere in my area.

oley55 · September 13, 2013, 01:10 PM

not to hijack this thread but the thread falls close to my question:

Can I safely use Large pistol primers with H 110 for 44mag loads?

grabbed up some H110 cause it was available at a gun show. when I got home I realized I didn't have any large pistol magnum primers.

these damn shortages of everything is beyond tedious

Real Gun · September 13, 2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Can I safely use Large pistol primers with H 110 for 44mag loads?

I believe you're stuck, but primers are showing up here and there. Check all your local resources for even a single pack.

WESHOOT2 · September 14, 2013, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Can I safely use Large pistol primers with H 110

No.

Brutus · September 14, 2013, 02:40 PM

I don't know if someone mentioned this, if they did I missed it, but 296 and H110 are exactly the same powder in different marketed cans. You can't beat 2400 it's a great powder with more flexability, you can load it up or down.
My two most accurate hand loads for both .44mag. and .357mag. use it.
296/H110 and lil'gun seem to come into their own when using heavier for caliber bullets up in the 300/350gr. range. At least that's what I've used them for in .44mag. and .45 Colt hunting loads.

WESHOOT2 · September 15, 2013, 07:11 AM

In the old(er) days, they were decidedly different.

My current stock of each show marked individual physical and performance characteristics (W295?).

bluetopper · September 15, 2013, 10:49 AM

Anymore, all I use in all my magnum handgun calibers is Accurate 4100.

Great accuracy and performance at full charge loads, can be downloaded a lot with no ill effects, and no magnum primers are required. And it's the finest grained powder you will ever use.

57K · September 15, 2013, 05:36 PM

And, AA #4100 is identical to Ramshot Enforcer and their load range is similar to 2400's in that they can be safely loaded down where Hodgdon recommends that you don't reduce charges with W296/H110 below 3% of a Max. Charge. The various load manuals differ on Hodgdon's recommendation but W296/H110 are at their best at near Max. or at Max. charges. 4100 and Enforcer are spherical with higher volumetric density than 2400 that's a flake powder. Alliant does have a new Spherical called 300-MP that's getting some good reviews, but I don't find any need to use anything other than Enforcer for full power magnum loads and True Blue for mid level loads up to the level where Enforcer is better used.

August 20, 2013, 01:51 AM	#53
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,166	I have used five different powders for the .44 magnum: 1. Hercules/Alliant Bullseye: A decent powder, but I wanted more case density. 2. Hercules/Alliant Blue Dot: Used for 3/4 to full throttle loads. 3. Hercules/Alliant Herco: An excellent powder; I have used 9.0 grains with my cast 250 grain Keith style SWC with excellent results. 4. H110/W296: When I want the BOOM and the BLAST! VERY high performance powder; needs a good load and heavy crimp. 5. Hercules/Alliant Unique: This has become my go-to powder. I don't hunt with my .44 (a Model 29), just shoot it for pleasure. I use what I have found was Elmer Keith's accuracy load for the Magnum: 8.5 grains of Unique under the 250 Keith style LSWC, cast from RCBS molds, sized to .430 and lubed with Javelina Alox. A very nice load--won't try to launch itself to the moon and is actually pleasant to shoot. Also, it is the most accurate load for my revolver. __________________ Hiding in plain sight...

August 22, 2013, 03:20 PM	#57
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	there is no "best" While MY lots of H110 and W296 differ significantly, and N110 is awesome, I reach for AA9 for less-than-nuke 44 Magnum. It offers both high velocity AND stellar accuracy. It also doesn't much care about operating environment. And I wouldn't be sad if I could only get 2400...... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 13, 2013, 01:10 PM	#62
oley55 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2013 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 377	Large Pistol Primers with H110? not to hijack this thread but the thread falls close to my question: Can I safely use Large pistol primers with H 110 for 44mag loads? grabbed up some H110 cause it was available at a gun show. when I got home I realized I didn't have any large pistol magnum primers. these damn shortages of everything is beyond tedious

September 14, 2013, 02:40 PM	#65
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	I don't know if someone mentioned this, if they did I missed it, but 296 and H110 are exactly the same powder in different marketed cans. You can't beat 2400 it's a great powder with more flexability, you can load it up or down. My two most accurate hand loads for both .44mag. and .357mag. use it. 296/H110 and lil'gun seem to come into their own when using heavier for caliber bullets up in the 300/350gr. range. At least that's what I've used them for in .44mag. and .45 Colt hunting loads. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

September 15, 2013, 07:11 AM	#66
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	perhaps In the old(er) days, they were decidedly different. My current stock of each show marked individual physical and performance characteristics (W295?). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 19, 2013, 10:25 PM	#51
therifleman556 Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 43	Just an update: My loads with 800X shot decent, but leading with 240 hard cast was terrible. I tried a starting load of H110 that left narry a streak of lead but accuracy was so-so. My local shop has some 2400. I think I will try that since I'm not a huge fan of shooting full-throttle loads all the time.

August 20, 2013, 06:10 AM	#54
therifleman556 Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 43	Availability, my friend. Right now I can't even find 4895. My shop has H110 and 2400, though. If 2400 could do 1200 fps at the pressures needed to keep my barrel clean with hard cast, I would consider that a good high volume load. If one were able to find Herco, where does it fall on the burn rate chart?

August 21, 2013, 08:34 AM	#56
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Personally, I strongly dislike trying to select the "best" of anything. It is usually an impossible goal. What I like about reloading, and with the .44 mag. especially, is the versatility one can get. I have used many powders and loads in my maggie. To my way of thinking, there simply is not "best" powder. However, as my shooting declined for health reasons I did settle on one powder as a comprimise, but still excellent, all-arounder powder. And that is H110.

August 22, 2013, 06:01 PM	#58
Bill56 Member Join Date: February 14, 2013 Posts: 28	For hunting (read: hot) loads: 24.0 gr H110 and 240 gr XTP For a moderate target load: 12.5 gr 800x and 240 gr Nosler SJSP I also have some AA No. 9 and Alliant MP-300 on hand that I haven't tried yet. The MP-300 supposedly will produce hot loads like the W296/H110 without having to use magnum primers.

August 22, 2013, 10:58 PM	#59
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 858	If you don't press the velocity/pressure envelope, then I wouldn't use 296/H110. If you want a new powder, Power Pro 300MP. I'm still more than satisfied with the accuracy and consistency of 2400 and 4227. I give up maybe 50 fps at the top, but I load for accuracy and not max velocity.

August 26, 2013, 03:51 PM	#61
JawjaBoy Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Posts: 56	H110 and W296 are definitely HOT powders in the .44 Mag., but I personally don't care to shoot many of them at a time. Why? Because the recoil seems to be much sharper than my loads with 2400. And my chronograph shows that all I gain is +/-100 fps or so depending on the load. The real deal maker with 2400 for me is accuracy. Nothing I've tried has matched the load to load accuracy of good old 2400. I do want to try some MP-300, but I have not been able to find it anywhere in my area.

September 15, 2013, 10:49 AM	#67
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Anymore, all I use in all my magnum handgun calibers is Accurate 4100. Great accuracy and performance at full charge loads, can be downloaded a lot with no ill effects, and no magnum primers are required. And it's the finest grained powder you will ever use.

September 15, 2013, 05:36 PM	#68
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	And, AA #4100 is identical to Ramshot Enforcer and their load range is similar to 2400's in that they can be safely loaded down where Hodgdon recommends that you don't reduce charges with W296/H110 below 3% of a Max. Charge. The various load manuals differ on Hodgdon's recommendation but W296/H110 are at their best at near Max. or at Max. charges. 4100 and Enforcer are spherical with higher volumetric density than 2400 that's a flake powder. Alliant does have a new Spherical called 300-MP that's getting some good reviews, but I don't find any need to use anything other than Enforcer for full power magnum loads and True Blue for mid level loads up to the level where Enforcer is better used.

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