Best all around powder for magnum pistol loads

[BBDartCA]

#9 likes a heavy roll crimp. Also its a loud powder. Not as flashy as power pistol in my experience.

4227 is my other choice for 357 mag as well. Seems to burn cleaner than #9. #9 likes to spray unburnt powder dust on my hands (crimp helps stop this). 4227 gives 1357 fps with 158g lead RNFP 15g powder load; #9 1310 fps 158g lead RNFP 13.5g powder load. Accuracy about the same for me with both. 4227 could be the most versatile powder out there. IMR used to have published 150g 30-06 loads for it. I've recently found it to be a tack driving plinking loads for 9mm with mag primers.

 

[Walkalong]

357 mag as well. Seems to burn cleaner than #9. #9 likes to spray unburnt powder dust on my hands (crimp helps stop this)

I agree.

While AA # 9 burns clean in .44 Mag even when downloaded some, it is much harder to get it to burn clean in .357 Mag. I think it is the longer, smaller diameter powder column vs .44.

 

[USSR]

4227 is my other choice for 357 mag as well.

16.0gr of 4227 behind a 158gr Hornady XTP is a very accurate load in my M686.

Don

 

[Walkalong]

I tried about the same amount of AA 5744, and it shot well, but velocities were low. I need to pick up some more 4227, been out for some time.

 

[BBDartCA]

16.0gr of 4227 behind a 158gr Hornady XTP is a very accurate load in my M686.

Don

Have run the same load / bulletin in mu 6" DW and found it to be very accurate as well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When coupled with a magnum primer and heavy crimp you will be hard pressed to find a better full power magnum powder than W296/H110. I would go what that powder since you already have W231 for reduced loads.

As already said:

If you are looking for a powder you can download and go full power too try 2400 or AA#9. Another long time 44 Magnum powder that seems to be now overlooked is 4227. It works very well in the .44 Magnum with both lighter and heavier bullets.

If you like to try new powders Alliant has a new powder out that's getting mixed reviews, it's Power Pro 300-MP...

Unlike "back-in-the-day" when Bullseye was your target powder, Unique was the pistol and shotgun powder and 2400 was the rifle powder, we have A LOT of good powders to choose from.

Hodgdon H110
Hodgdon Lil'Gun
H4227
Winchester W296 (same as H110)
IMR-4227
IMR 800-X
IMR SR 4756
Alliant 2400
Alliant Power Pro 300-MP
Accurate AA#9
Accurate AA4100
Ramshot Enforcer
And Vihtavuori Powders which I don't know much about. (not available near me)

They all will work but some will work better than others in your handguns. Pick one that's available in your area and have some fun.