Looking for 44 Magnum Midrange Loads

jmak · July 7, 2010, 10:32 PM

I am looking for suggestions for a clean burning mid range powder that is accurate over a wide temperature range (0 - 90 degrees, NY state hunting ) and meters well in a Uniflow powder measure. I plan on using Hornady 200 gn XTPs at around 1200 fps out of my 5.5" SBH for whitetail hunting. Will 2400 work for this application? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
jmak

qualfang · July 7, 2010, 10:40 PM

I have found VV powders excellent. I prefer the N350 for heavier bullets in a given chambering. 200gr is towards the lighter end, but i was looking for greatest velocity. Try N330 or N340 (not sure if all versions are still made), they will work excellent all the way up to full loads, and i found that VV powders consistantly give me the least variation in bullet velocities- regardless of load. The canister / cylindrical powder shape meters out well.

Keep your ammo OAL consistant, use a medium to heavy roll crimp in the revolver ammo, and your ammo will be highly consistant.

Ben Shepherd · July 8, 2010, 12:41 AM

2400 won't work well. Loaded at mid-range pressures it will burn pretty dirty. Try Clays universal out if you have it. That should work wonderfully for what you're trying to do.

zxcvbob · July 8, 2010, 12:55 AM

10 grains of either Unique or 231. Neither is anywhere near a max load, but they should be hot enough to burn cleanly. (Are you sure that's a heavy enough bullet for hunting?)

bamaranger · July 8, 2010, 01:58 AM

I shoot the very same bullet, but out of a carbine. Velocity is likely 1800 fps, w/ a hefty dose of 2400. (longer bbl) . The bullet holds together, expands wildly and deer get very dead. Sometimes I do not get exits, but find the slug, nickel sized, on the off side. I have used 180's but they are a bit soft and fragment at carbine velocity.

I cannot advise on a specific load for your application. But the bullet, though not conventional, is up to the task ( and then some) . Just a quick glance at a speer manual leads me to believe that 17-18 grains will get you near the velocity you want. That is about a 3/4 power load to my way of thinking. sort of a hot .44 spl, +P+, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Unique, though I use it plenty, has always been a dirty powder for me.

I use 2400 for all my up powered .44 loads. One advantage is that it is near impossible to double charge a case w/ any reasonable load. Even if you go as light as 15 grains, you cannot double it w/ out topping out the case.

AlaskaMike · July 8, 2010, 10:52 AM

From a revolver I agree that 2400 will burn a little dirty with that bullet weight and velocity. I'd either use Universal or Power Pistol. I've had great results with Power Pistol, and it would be my first choice.

Mike

azredhawk44 · July 8, 2010, 10:58 AM

I absolutely love AA #7 for mid-range loads in my .44's.

I fling around 240gr LSWC's with it, probably around 1100fps. Nice and soft recoiling compared to stuff done with 296/H110. I'd imagine that a 200gr @ 1200fps with a good crimp would be nice.

Mr Kris · July 8, 2010, 11:18 AM

I also load 200gr XTP's for 44magnum, and have been using Universal Clays for a long time. (Have used it with 180 and 240gr XTP's as well.) I haven't chronoed my load, but it should be in your neighborhood based on published load data. (Load is just under the published magnum starting loads, but above special.)

Shoots VERY cleanly out of my 8.5" 629.

Mr Kris · July 8, 2010, 11:19 AM

Oh, and to add to that... Universal meters well in my cheapo Lee Perfect measure, and it meters well in my Uniflow with the smaller metering chamber (haven't used the larger metering chamber for it).

jmak · July 8, 2010, 02:55 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

Mr. Kris,
Is Universal Clays the same as Universal? Is this the published magnum starting load that you are referring to;

200 GR. NOS JHP Hodgdon Universal 10.0 grains 1303 fps 30,700 CUP

totaldla · July 8, 2010, 04:20 PM

I don't see why 2400 wouldn't work. As it is a flake, it should meter very well from any Culver-type dispenser. Power Pistol is also a flake, and will meter very well. It will give you a wide loading lattitude for "mid-range" loads. Actually there are a lot of mid-range powders that will give you the velocity you want from that 5.5" barrel. I played with a bunch for 4" barrel 44 mag - you might find the info useful.

jmak · July 8, 2010, 05:06 PM

totaldla,
I sent you a PM

BigJimP · July 8, 2010, 06:27 PM

Hodgdon TiteGroup is a better powder than Hodgdon Universal in my opinion in handgun cartridges .... and its formulated to ignite well in a case like a .44 mag that is not full of powder.

I've had very good luck with TiteGroup ...it meters well, its clean ....

AlaskaMike · July 8, 2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

I don't see why 2400 wouldn't work. As it is a flake, it should meter very well from any Culver-type dispenser.

Are you sure 2400 is a flake type? I always thought it was either a flattened spherical or some type of extruded.

Not that it matters for this discussion though--I absolutely agree that it meters wonderfully...

zxcvbob · July 8, 2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Are you sure 2400 is a flake type? I always thought it was either a flattened spherical or some type of extruded.

I think they are flakes, but they are tiny dense flakes, and the charge weights are significant. So the stuff measures great.

Mr Kris · July 8, 2010, 09:41 PM

Yup, "Universal Clays" (or is it "Clays Universal?" haha) is often referred to as just "Universal."

I've never used Titegroup myself but have only heard good things. I use Universal in a lot of different cartridges, and for the one I load the most, Universal achieves a higher velocity. So that's what leads me to just keep that one on hand.

Looks like in 44 mag though, the published data has higher velocities for Titegroup with the 200gr rounds.

Ben Shepherd · July 8, 2010, 10:16 PM

For clarity's sake-

2400 is a slightly flattened sphere powder, it's not a true flake powder by any means, in fact it's actually closer to a ball powder than a flake.

totaldla · July 8, 2010, 11:25 PM

2400 is either extruded or a flake - i'm looking at the stuff as I type. It is not a flatten spherical. Culver-type dispensers can have a leakage problem with the very fine portions of spherical powders, like AA#9, W296/H110, LilGun, Enforcer, etc. But 2400 is coarse enough that it meters fine from an El-cheapo Lee Perfect.

sc928porsche · July 8, 2010, 11:59 PM

Thats an easy one. IMR 4227. Ive been using it for over 20 years for my 255gr GC Kieth. Also works good with jacketed. A little less pop than Win296. Burns clean too.

AlaskaMike · July 9, 2010, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Thats an easy one. IMR 4227. Ive been using it for over 20 years for my 255gr GC Kieth. Also works good with jacketed. A little less pop than Win296. Burns clean too.

Sorry, as much as I like IMR 4227, there's no way it's going to burn remotely clean in a .44 mag revolver with a 200 grain bullet at 1200 fps. Remember, clean burning in the original poster's situation was one of his criteria for powder suggestions, and using a 200 grain bullet vs. your 255 grain Keith.

I spent many, many hours trying to figure out the fascination many have with the load of a 280 grain SWC (RCBS 45-270-SAA) in .45 colt using 18.5 grains of (H or IMR) 4227. Keep in mind, the pressures are going to be similar to the bullet weight and target velocity that the original poster is looking for (.44 mag / 200 gr. bullet / 1200 fps). These relatively low pressures using IMR 4227 resulted in very good accuracy, but extremely dirty powder burn. I shot a large number of strings of these loads in the early spring on my range where there was still some snow and ice on the ground, and I could swear someone dumped a full pepper shaker on the ground in front of me after I was done. Clean burning it was not. Again, admittedly, accuracy was very good. However I can get the same accuracy with Power Pistol and other powders with a much cleaner result, and much, much better powder economy.

Mike

Ben Shepherd · July 9, 2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

2400 is either extruded or a flake - i'm looking at the stuff as I type. It is not a flatten spherical.

You're right. I just dumped a bit out on a white paper plate and got out a magnifying glass. Looks like it's a very short cut extruded powder. I stand corrected, and as a huge fan of 2400, I'll admit it's embarrassing that I'm just now figuring this out after 3 decades of using it.

jmak · July 10, 2010, 10:13 AM

Thanks for all the responses. It looks like Universal, Power Pistol, and Titegroup would all be good choices for me.

doug66 · July 12, 2010, 06:30 PM

I like 11.5gr. Herco under a Lee 240gr. SWC.

jmak · July 17, 2010, 11:29 AM

Does anyone have any experience with HS-6. Chuck Hawk's website recommends it for midrange loads using a Winchester WLP primer.

"For practice shooting and varmint hunting I load a 200 grain Speer JHP bullet in front of 11.0 grains of HS6 powder for a MV of about 1000 fps. This load uses Winchester WLP primers and is, in effect, a ".44 Special +P" load in Magnum brass. Recoil is moderate and the trajectory is flat enough for most purposes. 13.0 grains of HS6 powder will give a 200 grain JHP bullet a MV of 1197 fps, and 15.5 grains of HS6 will give a MV of 1516 fps (max load). "

Other recommended powders from the same web;

44 Magnum Midrange loads, 180-200 grains - Accurate No. 7, Unique, HS6, Ramshot True Blue

Thanks,
jmak

rc · April 18, 2011, 06:35 PM

Blue dot is a good mid magnum powder for revolver length barrels. H110 will give lower velocities in 6 inch barrels with mag loads than Blue dot. 800x doesn't meter as well but works great also especially if you like to weight each charge with an electronic powder measure. 800x is less prone to pressure spikes at the upper end than blue dot. Unique also works but is not as bulky for these kinds of loads.

July 7, 2010, 10:32 PM	#1
jmak Member Join Date: June 24, 2010 Location: Southern Tier of NY Posts: 17	Looking for 44 Magnum Midrange Loads I am looking for suggestions for a clean burning mid range powder that is accurate over a wide temperature range (0 - 90 degrees, NY state hunting ) and meters well in a Uniflow powder measure. I plan on using Hornady 200 gn XTPs at around 1200 fps out of my 5.5" SBH for whitetail hunting. Will 2400 work for this application? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance, jmak

July 7, 2010, 10:40 PM	#2
qualfang Member Join Date: June 28, 2010 Location: Chicago-ish Posts: 57	.44 loads I have found VV powders excellent. I prefer the N350 for heavier bullets in a given chambering. 200gr is towards the lighter end, but i was looking for greatest velocity. Try N330 or N340 (not sure if all versions are still made), they will work excellent all the way up to full loads, and i found that VV powders consistantly give me the least variation in bullet velocities- regardless of load. The canister / cylindrical powder shape meters out well. Keep your ammo OAL consistant, use a medium to heavy roll crimp in the revolver ammo, and your ammo will be highly consistant.

July 8, 2010, 12:41 AM	#3
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	2400 won't work well. Loaded at mid-range pressures it will burn pretty dirty. Try Clays universal out if you have it. That should work wonderfully for what you're trying to do. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

July 8, 2010, 12:55 AM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	10 grains of either Unique or 231. Neither is anywhere near a max load, but they should be hot enough to burn cleanly. (Are you sure that's a heavy enough bullet for hunting?) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

July 8, 2010, 01:58 AM	#5
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	200's I shoot the very same bullet, but out of a carbine. Velocity is likely 1800 fps, w/ a hefty dose of 2400. (longer bbl) . The bullet holds together, expands wildly and deer get very dead. Sometimes I do not get exits, but find the slug, nickel sized, on the off side. I have used 180's but they are a bit soft and fragment at carbine velocity. I cannot advise on a specific load for your application. But the bullet, though not conventional, is up to the task ( and then some) . Just a quick glance at a speer manual leads me to believe that 17-18 grains will get you near the velocity you want. That is about a 3/4 power load to my way of thinking. sort of a hot .44 spl, +P+, which is nothing to sneeze at. Unique, though I use it plenty, has always been a dirty powder for me. I use 2400 for all my up powered .44 loads. One advantage is that it is near impossible to double charge a case w/ any reasonable load. Even if you go as light as 15 grains, you cannot double it w/ out topping out the case.

July 8, 2010, 10:52 AM	#6
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	From a revolver I agree that 2400 will burn a little dirty with that bullet weight and velocity. I'd either use Universal or Power Pistol. I've had great results with Power Pistol, and it would be my first choice. Mike

July 8, 2010, 10:58 AM	#7
azredhawk44 Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 6,465	I absolutely love AA #7 for mid-range loads in my .44's. I fling around 240gr LSWC's with it, probably around 1100fps. Nice and soft recoiling compared to stuff done with 296/H110. I'd imagine that a 200gr @ 1200fps with a good crimp would be nice.

July 8, 2010, 11:18 AM	#8
Mr Kris Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 111	I also load 200gr XTP's for 44magnum, and have been using Universal Clays for a long time. (Have used it with 180 and 240gr XTP's as well.) I haven't chronoed my load, but it should be in your neighborhood based on published load data. (Load is just under the published magnum starting loads, but above special.) Shoots VERY cleanly out of my 8.5" 629.

July 8, 2010, 11:19 AM	#9
Mr Kris Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 111	Oh, and to add to that... Universal meters well in my cheapo Lee Perfect measure, and it meters well in my Uniflow with the smaller metering chamber (haven't used the larger metering chamber for it).

July 8, 2010, 02:55 PM	#10
jmak Member Join Date: June 24, 2010 Location: Southern Tier of NY Posts: 17	Thanks for all the replies. Mr. Kris, Is Universal Clays the same as Universal? Is this the published magnum starting load that you are referring to; 200 GR. NOS JHP Hodgdon Universal 10.0 grains 1303 fps 30,700 CUP

July 8, 2010, 04:20 PM	#11
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,295	I don't see why 2400 wouldn't work. As it is a flake, it should meter very well from any Culver-type dispenser. Power Pistol is also a flake, and will meter very well. It will give you a wide loading lattitude for "mid-range" loads. Actually there are a lot of mid-range powders that will give you the velocity you want from that 5.5" barrel. I played with a bunch for 4" barrel 44 mag - you might find the info useful. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

July 8, 2010, 05:06 PM	#12
jmak Member Join Date: June 24, 2010 Location: Southern Tier of NY Posts: 17	totaldla, I sent you a PM

July 8, 2010, 06:27 PM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Hodgdon TiteGroup is a better powder than Hodgdon Universal in my opinion in handgun cartridges .... and its formulated to ignite well in a case like a .44 mag that is not full of powder. I've had very good luck with TiteGroup ...it meters well, its clean ....

July 8, 2010, 09:41 PM	#16
Mr Kris Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 111	Yup, "Universal Clays" (or is it "Clays Universal?" haha) is often referred to as just "Universal." I've never used Titegroup myself but have only heard good things. I use Universal in a lot of different cartridges, and for the one I load the most, Universal achieves a higher velocity. So that's what leads me to just keep that one on hand. Looks like in 44 mag though, the published data has higher velocities for Titegroup with the 200gr rounds.

July 8, 2010, 10:16 PM	#17
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	For clarity's sake- 2400 is a slightly flattened sphere powder, it's not a true flake powder by any means, in fact it's actually closer to a ball powder than a flake. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

July 8, 2010, 11:25 PM	#18
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,295	2400 is either extruded or a flake - i'm looking at the stuff as I type. It is not a flatten spherical. Culver-type dispensers can have a leakage problem with the very fine portions of spherical powders, like AA#9, W296/H110, LilGun, Enforcer, etc. But 2400 is coarse enough that it meters fine from an El-cheapo Lee Perfect. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

July 8, 2010, 11:59 PM	#19
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Thats an easy one. IMR 4227. Ive been using it for over 20 years for my 255gr GC Kieth. Also works good with jacketed. A little less pop than Win296. Burns clean too. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

July 10, 2010, 10:13 AM	#22
jmak Member Join Date: June 24, 2010 Location: Southern Tier of NY Posts: 17	Thanks for all the responses. It looks like Universal, Power Pistol, and Titegroup would all be good choices for me.

July 12, 2010, 06:30 PM	#23
doug66 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 116	I like 11.5gr. Herco under a Lee 240gr. SWC.

July 17, 2010, 11:29 AM	#24
jmak Member Join Date: June 24, 2010 Location: Southern Tier of NY Posts: 17	Does anyone have any experience with HS-6. Chuck Hawk's website recommends it for midrange loads using a Winchester WLP primer. "For practice shooting and varmint hunting I load a 200 grain Speer JHP bullet in front of 11.0 grains of HS6 powder for a MV of about 1000 fps. This load uses Winchester WLP primers and is, in effect, a ".44 Special +P" load in Magnum brass. Recoil is moderate and the trajectory is flat enough for most purposes. 13.0 grains of HS6 powder will give a 200 grain JHP bullet a MV of 1197 fps, and 15.5 grains of HS6 will give a MV of 1516 fps (max load). " Other recommended powders from the same web; 44 Magnum Midrange loads, 180-200 grains - Accurate No. 7, Unique, HS6, Ramshot True Blue Thanks, jmak

April 18, 2011, 06:35 PM	#25
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,768	Blue Dot Blue dot is a good mid magnum powder for revolver length barrels. H110 will give lower velocities in 6 inch barrels with mag loads than Blue dot. 800x doesn't meter as well but works great also especially if you like to weight each charge with an electronic powder measure. 800x is less prone to pressure spikes at the upper end than blue dot. Unique also works but is not as bulky for these kinds of loads.