44 magnum powder.

[Slimjim]

Im getting started with .44 magnum reloading and have two powders on hand id like to use from when i used to reload shotguns.

Red dot
Green dot

Which is the best to run with a 240 grain bullet? Which has more flash or less flash and will give me a good velocity?

 

[rcmodel]

Neither one is a good .44 Mag powder for other then light to mid-range plinking loads.
IE: .44 Spl performance.

If you want Magnum power you have to use Magnum powder.

Alliant shows a 240 lead bullet, NOT jacketed.
6.5 Red Dot = 905 FPS
7.0 Green Dot = 901 FPS.

Alliant data here:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx

rc

 

[jbkebert]

I have been using lil-gun and have been nothing but happy. It takes alot compared to some of the other powders. I get very consistant accuracy, low muzzle flash, and has been pretty clean burning. Shooting out of a 7 1/2" super redhawk and a 8 3/8" S&W 29.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Red Dot is best suited to cast slugs due to the fast burn rate.
not suitable for hi-vel loads in the .44.

 

[Slimjim]

Im not looking to make full house wrist breakers right now, im looking to make a nice range load. Atleast until i use up the rest of this powder since im not reloading shotguns anymore.

 

[rcmodel]

Use the Alliant data I gave you then.

You will be smiling when you shoot them.
Guaranteed!

rc

 

[Slimjim]

Which of the magnum powders have the least flash?

 

[Seafarer12]

If you really want to start loading 44's you will have to buy a slower powder if you want anything more than plinking loads. What are you shooting the 44 out of?

 

[Slimjim]

7.5 inch SBH.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Unique, Power Pistol, Herco, AA7, all are good for middle of the road loads with cast or jacketed. 2400, H110, 4227 are better choices for mag loads with jacketed bullets.
RC pointed you to some very good data I`d give it some thought.

 

[Seafarer12]

I like unique for mid range loads and h110 for full tilt boogie. Red dot is good for lead target loads though.

 

[Steve C]

I've used both RD and GD in pistol loads for .357 mag, .38 spl, 9mm and .45. They're close to each other in burn rate so either works fine with not a lot of difference. They're fast powders but like Bullseye you can load any type of bullet with them, you're just not going to get the maximum velocity out of a magnum. If that's not important to you then find some of the older Alliant data that list more comprehensive data for use of Red and Green Dot powders with the full range of .44 pistol bullets.

 

[James Thomson]

Unique is such a great powder. You can load lighter loads or medium loads with this stuff. It makes the 44 Mag very manageable. Go with 296 or 2400 for powderhouse loads.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

If you get to where you want low flash full magnum loads-

Use Vit N110. VERY low flash, and as a bonus extremely clean also.

 

[GRIZ22]

I use Unique for mid range loads and W296 for full bore 44 mag loads. As others have said fast powders won't give you full performance in any magnum.

 

[COSteve]

Another vote for Unique in mid range loads...

My pet load is a 200 grain jhp over 12.2 grains of Unique - clocks a tad above 1,350 fps. You still know you're shooting a .44 mag, but it's more manageable.

Spicy load is a 240 grain gold dot over 20.0 grains 2400 powder... averages 1,280fps.


The only "Dot" powder I'd consider for this cartridge would be Blue Dot.


Good luck.

 

[MovedWest]

Out of the two powders you're wanting to use I have tried Green Dot and I like it. I use it for 44spl and medium 44mag target loads. Not much flash, easy recoil and pretty consistent, but note that it is difficult to meter in light doses like 44mag (compared to shotgun loads). The big fluffy flakes make it easy to throw loads off by a tenth of a grain or so.

-MW

 

[bluetopper]

My Lee Manual says 8.8gr of Red Dot for 1175fps

and 9.5gr of Green Dot for 1170fps.

240gr cast lead bullets.

 

[jbkebert]

25.3 grains of Lil-gun with a 200 grain XTP is my accuracy load. Not much thump out a 7 1/2" SRH. Burns clean and hits hard and accurate.

 

[MovedWest]

**Please read the request of the OP - all he has is excess red dot and green dot he wants to get rid of. He is looking for load recommendations, NOT powder recommendations.** :banghead:

OP: I'd like to note that bullet choice is important here. I've tried my green dot loads in 44mag with Remington bullets (210gr SJHP) to Winchester 44mag bullets (Silver Tip 210gr JHP) and the difference is night and day.

For Rem SJHP 210gr's I like 8.9gr of green dot with a CCI300 primer - accuracy is okay. With the Winchester 210gr Silver Tip JHP I like 9.4gr of green dot and CCI300 - with surprising accuracy!

My 2 cents,
-MW