44 Magnum and H-110 Powder test.

PALongbow · April 27, 2002, 06:56 PM

I have been playing with several different reloading setups for my 44 mg Ruger SRH revolver (scoped) . Just recently switched to H-110 powder after using IMR-4227 for a while.

I loaded some test rounds this past week using H-110 powder as my test powder. One load consisted of 23.5 grains of powder and the other with 24.0 grains of H-110 using CCI 350 large magnum pistol primers. The H-110 is diffinetly more accurate for me than IMR-4227 while using a Hornady 240 grain XTP bullet. I shot a one inch group off the bench today at 50 yards using 23.5 grains of H-110 powder. The 24.0 grain load shot a 2 inch group at 50 yards. I noticed that the 24.0 grains really seemed like a hot load with more recoil than the 23.5 load.

Anybody else try this same setup in their 44 mag revolvers? Seems to me that either H-110 or W296 now a days seems to be the most popular powder for a 44 magnum. Would that be a fair assumption?

Ron

Tom Matiska · April 28, 2002, 08:36 AM

My various books max out on H110 between 22.5 and 24.0 grs (jacket 240gr). I was very happy at 23.5 and not curious about 24.0. Great load for my 20" Marlin. Shoots great out of my 7.5" revolver, but.....

It produced much more blast than faster powders. Not like Unique was polite, but faster was a lesser evil in the shorter pistol barrel. H110 was much easier on my cases. My revolver has enough headspace that faster powders stretch the brass much more (cases expand and grip chamber wall before setback occurs?)

Mag primer and max crimp are not optional. If the "cork pops" before the charge gets burning the best that will happen is the guy next to you at the range will think you are rude.

Tom

Waterdog · April 28, 2002, 10:08 AM

I use 23 gr with a 240gr Sierras projo, out of my 16 inch Marlin. It is as accurate as I can shoot.

Waterdog

ms1200 · April 28, 2002, 12:11 PM

i have had great luck with h110 in all my .44 mags

Johnny Guest · April 28, 2002, 06:37 PM

I'm curious what sort of velocities y'all are getting with it. Have any of you chronographed these? I'd appreciate details--case brand, exact bullet, primer, and, of course, firearm brand and barrel length.

And, as moderator, I ask that you include proper cautions if your pet load is above published maximums.

Thanks, all- - -
Johnny

**Mal H** · April 28, 2002, 07:22 PM

Johnny! I'm truly surprised Jim Wilson hasn't introduced you to the beauty of H110 loads (or W296, they're about as similar as two powders can get).

My all time favorite is (load is less than max according to Hornady):

Gun: Ruger SRH - 7 1/2", 4X Leupold EER
Bullet: Hornady 180 XTP
Powder: 29.6 gr H110
Case: Starline
Primer: WLP
Avg. Vel.: 1623
SD: 14
AD: 10
Coefficient of fun: 98+

That particular one will shake the rafters or at least wake up the shooters on the rifle range.

I've tried several heavier bullets with very good results, but I keep going back to the 180 when I want noise and power.

PALongbow · April 28, 2002, 07:44 PM

According to what Hornady told me 23.5 grains of H-110 using thier Hornady 240 grain XTP in my 44 mag revolver seems to work well. I'm sticking with the 23.5 grains of H-110 using the Hornady 240 grain XTP bullet. One inch groups at 50 yards isn't anything to complain about. My general advise is to read the reloading manuals and don't exceed the maximum load recommendations.

Johnny Guest,

I'm going to be chrongraphing this load in the next week or two. I'll get back to you with the data.

Ron

Johnny Guest · April 29, 2002, 10:34 AM

- - -A while back, and I even went out and bought a pound of H-110. Used some of it in .357, but now I can't find my notes on the .44 data.

I think, truth to tell, I just chickened out. My only .44 Mag is currently a custom Super Blackhawk, which a friend heavily customized. One of the features was putting a shorter grip frame/ round-back trigger guard on it. This looks really good, and I like the gun a lot, BUT - - -I have a couple of arthritic joints, and,

, one is first joint of my trigger finger. The smallish trigger guard punished me badly with heavy loads. Before I learned a couple of techniques, I actually brought blood with some hefty loads.

The painful memory has faded somewhat, and I'm about ready to try again. Most of that H-110 is still on the shelf, and this string got me to thinking about it again. I may try your load - - -Never loaded any 180 gr. .44s before. Friend Richard Griffith used to shoot 'em all the time from his 8-3/8 bbl Mod 29, and I've seen him make some fantastic shots with that combo. Don't recall his load data, though.

PALongbow---I'll look forward to seeing your velocities with that load. I tend to favor the 240 and 255 gr. bullets.

Thanks, both--
Johnny

**Mal H** · April 29, 2002, 10:50 AM

Johnny, like you I probably shoot more 240's and 255's (Kieth) than the 180's, but they really don't have the same "Coefficient of fun" - probably somewhere around 94 for them.

Here's a good H110 load for a 240, same gun:

Bullet: Nosler 240 HP
Powder: 23.8 gr H110
Case: Starline
Primer: WLP
Avg. Vel.: 1512 (!)

birdman · April 29, 2002, 12:36 PM

Johnny, I've been experimenting lately with H110 using the Hornady 240 gr XTP bullet in my 4 3/4" SBH. So far results have been good ------ accuracy 1 1/2" 25 yd groups at about 1200 fps using 23 gr. of powder. The recoil seems like more of a push than quick and snappy (was using 2400). The only downside is you have to be really careful in regard to crimp and down loads are not an option. As a comparison I'm loading 20 grains of 2400 behind a Winchester 240 gr. JHP in my 4" 29 Smith and getting about 1150 fps. These short tubes are not too good at achieving maximum velocity, naturally. regards, birdman

keano44 · April 29, 2002, 01:57 PM

My pet load for my 7.5" Ruger SBH comes right out of the Hornady manual. The 240 gr. XTP bullet, with 24.3 gr. H110. Primer is WLP, Rem or W-W case. Average velocity is right at 1400 fps. This load is .5 gr below max listed in this manual, work up to it. Personally, I have never seen a need to try to go beyond published maximum loads.
Once, on a hot August day, I chronographed this same load at 1500 fps. after the bullets had been sitting outside on the bench long enough to warm up to 100 degrees. It is never that hot when I use them for hunting, though. This load is very accurate in my SBH, and I use the same load in my Ruger Carbine.

Johnny Guest · April 30, 2002, 10:06 AM

- - - Now you guys have gotten me fired up to mess around with .44 Magnum again. I don't have time, guys, I really don't!

I felt as if a good, hot, .44 Spl load and a VERY moderate mag load with W-231 were all I needed. And now you all have started me to thinking about all that latent power . . . .

Really, as far as large revolvers go, I can do about all I need with my .45 Colt Mountain Gun. But there IS something about that short-barrelled, Old Model Ruger, settin' high in a Thad Rybka holster, and wandering around in the rocks and sand - - - -

Appreciate the information--
Best,
Johnny

PALongbow · April 30, 2002, 10:35 AM

Johnny,

I took a long break from shooting a revolver and reloading (almost 13 years) and just got back into it by purchasing a Ruger SRH 44 mag. I'm back into big time and having fun playing with different loads and shooting every weekend. I plan on hunting during our firearms season here in PA solely with my revolver, the rifle is staying home this year.

Just by playing around trying to increase accuracy is the most fun for me. I took my groups from four inches at fifty yards to one inch groups at 50 yards just by testing different powders and load variations. I'm having alot of fun and through this board I have learned alot from these folks.

Ron

keano44 · April 30, 2002, 01:26 PM

PAL,
Leaving the rifle home is the right thing to do if you really want to get one with the handgun. I carried both rifle and handgun (Rugers, Carbine and SBH, .44) together for a few years, with the idea that I would shoot a deer with the handgun if the opportunity ever presented itself. It was always best to use the rifle, with the scope, for one reason or another. When I finally got serious about getting one with my handgun, I set my own limitations that I would hold myself to, left the rifle home, and killed my first deer with the SBH.
Working up the load which I use in both .44's was a blast, too. (pun intended)

April 27, 2002, 06:56 PM	#1
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	44 Magnum and H-110 Powder test. I have been playing with several different reloading setups for my 44 mg Ruger SRH revolver (scoped) . Just recently switched to H-110 powder after using IMR-4227 for a while. I loaded some test rounds this past week using H-110 powder as my test powder. One load consisted of 23.5 grains of powder and the other with 24.0 grains of H-110 using CCI 350 large magnum pistol primers. The H-110 is diffinetly more accurate for me than IMR-4227 while using a Hornady 240 grain XTP bullet. I shot a one inch group off the bench today at 50 yards using 23.5 grains of H-110 powder. The 24.0 grain load shot a 2 inch group at 50 yards. I noticed that the 24.0 grains really seemed like a hot load with more recoil than the 23.5 load. Anybody else try this same setup in their 44 mag revolvers? Seems to me that either H-110 or W296 now a days seems to be the most popular powder for a 44 magnum. Would that be a fair assumption? Ron

April 28, 2002, 06:37 PM	#5
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Never Having Used H-110 in .44 Mag myself - - - I'm curious what sort of velocities y'all are getting with it. Have any of you chronographed these? I'd appreciate details--case brand, exact bullet, primer, and, of course, firearm brand and barrel length. And, as moderator, I ask that you include proper cautions if your pet load is above published maximums. Thanks, all- - - Johnny

April 29, 2002, 10:34 AM	#8
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	MalH--Well, Jim DID try - - - - - -A while back, and I even went out and bought a pound of H-110. Used some of it in .357, but now I can't find my notes on the .44 data. I think, truth to tell, I just chickened out. My only .44 Mag is currently a custom Super Blackhawk, which a friend heavily customized. One of the features was putting a shorter grip frame/ round-back trigger guard on it. This looks really good, and I like the gun a lot, BUT - - -I have a couple of arthritic joints, and, , one is first joint of my trigger finger. The smallish trigger guard punished me badly with heavy loads. Before I learned a couple of techniques, I actually brought blood with some hefty loads. The painful memory has faded somewhat, and I'm about ready to try again. Most of that H-110 is still on the shelf, and this string got me to thinking about it again. I may try your load - - -Never loaded any 180 gr. .44s before. Friend Richard Griffith used to shoot 'em all the time from his 8-3/8 bbl Mod 29, and I've seen him make some fantastic shots with that combo. Don't recall his load data, though. PALongbow---I'll look forward to seeing your velocities with that load. I tend to favor the 240 and 255 gr. bullets. Thanks, both-- Johnny

April 30, 2002, 10:06 AM	#12
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Oh, Great! EXACTLY what I need - - - - - - Now you guys have gotten me fired up to mess around with .44 Magnum again. I don't have time, guys, I really don't! I felt as if a good, hot, .44 Spl load and a VERY moderate mag load with W-231 were all I needed. And now you all have started me to thinking about all that latent power . . . . Really, as far as large revolvers go, I can do about all I need with my .45 Colt Mountain Gun. But there IS something about that short-barrelled, Old Model Ruger, settin' high in a Thad Rybka holster, and wandering around in the rocks and sand - - - - Appreciate the information-- Best, Johnny

April 28, 2002, 08:36 AM	#2
Tom Matiska Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Posts: 1,029	My various books max out on H110 between 22.5 and 24.0 grs (jacket 240gr). I was very happy at 23.5 and not curious about 24.0. Great load for my 20" Marlin. Shoots great out of my 7.5" revolver, but..... It produced much more blast than faster powders. Not like Unique was polite, but faster was a lesser evil in the shorter pistol barrel. H110 was much easier on my cases. My revolver has enough headspace that faster powders stretch the brass much more (cases expand and grip chamber wall before setback occurs?) Mag primer and max crimp are not optional. If the "cork pops" before the charge gets burning the best that will happen is the guy next to you at the range will think you are rude. Tom

April 28, 2002, 10:08 AM	#3
Waterdog Junior member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,236	I use 23 gr with a 240gr Sierras projo, out of my 16 inch Marlin. It is as accurate as I can shoot. Waterdog

April 28, 2002, 12:11 PM	#4
ms1200 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2002 Posts: 133	i have had great luck with h110 in all my .44 mags

April 28, 2002, 07:22 PM	#6
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 17,066	Johnny! I'm truly surprised Jim Wilson hasn't introduced you to the beauty of H110 loads (or W296, they're about as similar as two powders can get). My all time favorite is (load is less than max according to Hornady): Gun: Ruger SRH - 7 1/2", 4X Leupold EER Bullet: Hornady 180 XTP Powder: 29.6 gr H110 Case: Starline Primer: WLP Avg. Vel.: 1623 SD: 14 AD: 10 Coefficient of fun: 98+ That particular one will shake the rafters or at least wake up the shooters on the rifle range. I've tried several heavier bullets with very good results, but I keep going back to the 180 when I want noise and power.

April 28, 2002, 07:44 PM	#7
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	According to what Hornady told me 23.5 grains of H-110 using thier Hornady 240 grain XTP in my 44 mag revolver seems to work well. I'm sticking with the 23.5 grains of H-110 using the Hornady 240 grain XTP bullet. One inch groups at 50 yards isn't anything to complain about. My general advise is to read the reloading manuals and don't exceed the maximum load recommendations. Johnny Guest, I'm going to be chrongraphing this load in the next week or two. I'll get back to you with the data. Ron

April 29, 2002, 10:50 AM	#9
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 17,066	Johnny, like you I probably shoot more 240's and 255's (Kieth) than the 180's, but they really don't have the same "Coefficient of fun" - probably somewhere around 94 for them. Here's a good H110 load for a 240, same gun: Bullet: Nosler 240 HP Powder: 23.8 gr H110 Case: Starline Primer: WLP Avg. Vel.: 1512 (!)

April 29, 2002, 12:36 PM	#10
birdman Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Posts: 105	Johnny, I've been experimenting lately with H110 using the Hornady 240 gr XTP bullet in my 4 3/4" SBH. So far results have been good ------ accuracy 1 1/2" 25 yd groups at about 1200 fps using 23 gr. of powder. The recoil seems like more of a push than quick and snappy (was using 2400). The only downside is you have to be really careful in regard to crimp and down loads are not an option. As a comparison I'm loading 20 grains of 2400 behind a Winchester 240 gr. JHP in my 4" 29 Smith and getting about 1150 fps. These short tubes are not too good at achieving maximum velocity, naturally. regards, birdman

April 29, 2002, 01:57 PM	#11
keano44 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2001 Location: Lafayette LA Posts: 177	My pet load for my 7.5" Ruger SBH comes right out of the Hornady manual. The 240 gr. XTP bullet, with 24.3 gr. H110. Primer is WLP, Rem or W-W case. Average velocity is right at 1400 fps. This load is .5 gr below max listed in this manual, work up to it. Personally, I have never seen a need to try to go beyond published maximum loads. Once, on a hot August day, I chronographed this same load at 1500 fps. after the bullets had been sitting outside on the bench long enough to warm up to 100 degrees. It is never that hot when I use them for hunting, though. This load is very accurate in my SBH, and I use the same load in my Ruger Carbine.

April 30, 2002, 10:35 AM	#13
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	Johnny, I took a long break from shooting a revolver and reloading (almost 13 years) and just got back into it by purchasing a Ruger SRH 44 mag. I'm back into big time and having fun playing with different loads and shooting every weekend. I plan on hunting during our firearms season here in PA solely with my revolver, the rifle is staying home this year. Just by playing around trying to increase accuracy is the most fun for me. I took my groups from four inches at fifty yards to one inch groups at 50 yards just by testing different powders and load variations. I'm having alot of fun and through this board I have learned alot from these folks. Ron

April 30, 2002, 01:26 PM	#14
keano44 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2001 Location: Lafayette LA Posts: 177	PAL, Leaving the rifle home is the right thing to do if you really want to get one with the handgun. I carried both rifle and handgun (Rugers, Carbine and SBH, .44) together for a few years, with the idea that I would shoot a deer with the handgun if the opportunity ever presented itself. It was always best to use the rifle, with the scope, for one reason or another. When I finally got serious about getting one with my handgun, I set my own limitations that I would hold myself to, left the rifle home, and killed my first deer with the SBH. Working up the load which I use in both .44's was a blast, too. (pun intended)