[Mikul]

I use Winchester Super-Field for loading in my 9mm's, and I need a decent .44 Special powder. Why not have one for both? Has anyone worked up any .44 loads with this powder? I haven't found any listed.

I plan to use the load for a powder with a close burning rate as a start point (8gr under a 200gr bullet). Considering that I'm shooting it out of a .44 Magnum revolver, I would be amazed if I went over pressure.

I've used 2400 which makes a usable load, but leaves a LOT of unburned powder. AA7 just requires too much powder, but is also nice.

[Quantrill]

Mikul,
If there is unburnt 2400 powder in your .44sp cases, I would think that a tighter crimp would be in order. For a good powder in both 9mm and .44 sp, Unique would be good for medium power loads. For light loads in both, any of the faster burning powders should do such as Bullseye, 700X or 231 to name a few that I have used. Quantrill

[HSMITH]

Start at about 6, 8 will be a little hot for a 44 Special load. 6 should get you somewhere around 850 fps with a 200 grain leasd bullet.

Universal, Unique and Super Field are all really close in burn rate. Any of them should make a fine 44 special powder.

[Mikul]

The crimp I'm using looks just like the factory loads I use. How do I know if I go too far and use too much crimp (aside from the missing fingers).

[HSMITH]

Pull the bullets on a couple loads, the bullets will have a "waist" if you overcrimp, meaning you deform the area of the bullet where the crimp is making it smaller in diameter than an uncrimped bullet. If you crimp the bullet down a couple thousandths that is not a big deal, but more than 4 or 5 thou is way too much crimp.

You will not blow up a gun by overcrimping an otherwise safe load. It just causes accuracy problems and can cause serious leading when shooting lead bullets.

MEASURE your crimp, that is the only way to know what you are getting. Matching a factory crimp dimension is a good way to go about getting a decent crimp also.