.44 Mag Question.

H110/W296 is one of the few powders that require a Mag primer. It also requires a med to heavy crimp to give you a consistent burn. It use is for full power only, it does not down load well at all.

Walkalong said:

H-110 will work very well with those 240 Gr XTPs. I don't use it, so I can't help with a charge weight, but you can't go wrong seating them at an OAL where you can roll crimp into the cannelure and use the starting charge weight. Go up from there a bit at a time.

These are Magtech 240s, but it shows a nice roll crimp into the cannelure.
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180 Gr XTP
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Every day that ticks off my life’s clock I am more likely to shoot less manly 44s in a pistol. The loads I posted is just what I tested. The loads I carry are much much lighter. Like Walkalongs bottom photo here except pushed by Unique or HS6 and usually the Sierra 220 FPJ run at 45 ACP+P loaded levels. Walkalong you made a point without making a point.

I like them, they're easy to load ( I LIKE WIN 296 ) accurate and hit like a freight train . hdbiker

22 grains H110/W296 or IMR 4227, Magnum primer and Redding’s excellent Profile Crimp Die with any 240 to 250 grain boolit have been my favorite loads for 30+ years. Will do anything that needs doin’ within range and proper shot placement

YellowcatDaddy said:

I have never reloaded .44 Magnum but I found some Hornady 240 grain XTPs on line and jumped on ‘em without thinking about powders. So when I start looking up load data, none of my powders are listed for the XTPs. I’ve got CFE Pistol, W244, W572, Titegroup, H110 and WST.

I went to the Hornady web site and they list their 240 gr. XTP with 20.7 gr of H110 beginning load. The load data that came with the Lee dies lists 240 gr. jacketed bullets starting with 23 gr. Of H110. I have read that H110 is kinda sensitive to under loading. Does anyone have experience loading 240gr. XTPS?

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IMHO, H110 is the perfect powder for those, the load range is narrow though, like 1 grain between start and max. IIRC, Hornady's book says 23.00 to start and 24 max, but doublecheck me........they say memory is the first to go.

4227 is the go to .44mag powder
99% of my .44mag loads are with Trail Boss, though.

I've used 22.5 and 23.0 of H-110 with 240 and 250 bullets, CCI 350 primers in my 44 handguns, since the early 80's...

I've won MANY long range silhouette matches with that load, including winning 13 matches in a row, and I even harvested quite a bit of big game with it, starting with a nice bull moose.

My fav bullet by far, is the RCBS 44-250 KT mould using an alloy I mix, that throws a 250 grain bullet sized to .430" and lubed with Alox. It's a load that has worked in every 44 I've tried it in, and when I had an ammo mfg. license, that's the load I sold to anyone who wanted reloaded 44's.

I'm still using that same load/bullet to this day.

DM

YellowcatDaddy said:

Oh! I see. 2 grains is only 10%. I get it. I’m new and nervous.

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Wait until the gun has 6 rounds in the cylinder, you cock the hammer, align the sights, and now Pilgrim squeeze the trigger . THAT is nervousness, the first shot from a MIGHTY 44 magnum ! ! My first shot was in 1978, and I still remember it, gun was Ruger Super Blackhawk.

My favorite thing about H110/296 is that for the most part, it is near impossible to over charge as it fills the case under normal conditions. I wouldn't say blowing up your gun with it is impossible, because that would be an arrogant statement. I'll just say, I'm not sure how one would do that.

I've long been warned about under loading it, which I never do.

I've also long been warned about using super fast burning powders that only need a light charge (like Tightgroup), with a big case, overcharging is super easy.

Hornady's office info is thus:

H110/296- MIN charge 20.7g (1100 fps), MAX charge 24.8g (1400 fps).

Seat the projectile to 1.600" OAL

Magnum primer required.

Personally, I prefer IMR 4227, or 2400, or Unique (for the lighter laods), but if you do not have those powders, H110 will work just fine.

bluejay75 said:

Every day that ticks off my life’s clock I am more likely to shoot less manly 44s in a pistol.

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I understand. My two 44 mag revolvers have become 44 specials. Hand and wrist can't take the strain of 44 mag anymore.

doubleh said:

I understand. My two 44 mag revolvers have become 44 specials. Hand and wrist can't take the strain of 44 mag anymore.

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For now, I'm still in the magnum-mix. Last year, I picked up a 460 S&W and was enjoying wrist twisting hand-slappers up until the drought of 2020 caught up to my reloading supply.

I know that one day, I'll have to dial it back...but for now, my mitts can still take the abuse.

The 460S&W is a hoot! And if you load up 240 grainers in it, it'll take twice the amount of H110 than the 44 RM! Both are great fun!

Typetwelve said:

For now, I'm still in the magnum-mix. Last year, I picked up a 460 S&W and was enjoying wrist twisting hand-slappers up until the drought of 2020 caught up to my reloading supply.

I know that one day, I'll have to dial it back...but for now, my mitts can still take the abuse.

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Seedy Character said:

4227 is the go to .44mag powder
99% of my .44mag loads are with Trail Boss, though.

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I ran H110, 2400 and 4227 through work ups with a 240gr XTP and had the best accuracy by a good margin with 4227 in a carbine. It smells weird, but I can't argue with its effectiveness.

gotboostvr said:

I ran H110, 2400 and 4227 through work ups with a 240gr XTP and had the best accuracy by a good margin with 4227 in a carbine. It smells weird, but I can't argue with its effectiveness.

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I call it aroma therapy.

IMR 4227 needs some barrel to work good. I have loads for my Blackhawk .357 that do well but they are much better in the 10" Contender barrel. I seem to recall the 4" Taurus 66 didn't like them any much.