2400 getting low, whats next in line for 357 and 44 mag

[david bachelder]

H110/Win296
Same powder, great results ..... if you can find any.

 

[zxcvbob]

Flame from the barrel and a hand that feels like you've been catching fastballs with out a mitt.

That's what shooting magnum handguns is all about. If you can still read the headstamp after two loadings you aren't hot enough

Well, maybe that last is a little much but Flame and Pain are definitely what Magnums are all about

I like shooting loads like that occasionally. But after about a dozen, it's not fun anymore, and it takes me a long time to get over the flinch if I push on past that point. I'm a wuss, I know that.

If I back off just a little, I can use a faster powder and end up using 1/2 as much powder (or less.) I can shoot those all day, and the loads still bark with some authority.

So I load a box of screamers, and shoot one cylinderful at the beginning or end of the range session, and the rest of the time shoot lots of the almost-tame stuff and target loads.

If you like fire, try shooting a few blackpowder loads. Those get attention.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

I like 296 and Accurate #9.

 

[SlowFuse]

I was using H110/W296 and got caught short this past year, none to be found locally.

What i did find plenty of was Ramshot Enforcer. I've developed pretty satisfactory loads in 327 FedMag, 357 mag and 44 mag. It has been on the shelf nearly every time I've went to my local store for the past 1.5 yrs. Could be worth a try if it is in your area.

 

[CoalTrain49]

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/equivalents.asp

Looks like there are a few here that are similar.

Or this one.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun


I had a chance to buy 16 lbs of 2400 about 4 months ago. I only bought 8 and I'm glad I did.

I didn't used to be a hoarder. The powder demons made me do it.

 

[JBrady555]

I got 3# of aa 7 for trade in the trading post. Would take a smaller amount of faster 9mm powder for it.

 

[buck460XVR]

Flame from the barrel and a hand that feels like you've been catching fastballs with out a mitt.

That's what shooting magnum handguns is all about. If you can still read the headstamp after two loadings you aren't hot enough

Well, maybe that last is a little much but Flame and Pain are definitely what Magnums are all about

I shoot my magnum handguns @ legitimate magnum velocities and never experience pain or disappearing headstamps. I tend to load for accuracy tho and leave the pain and flame for those that feel they have something to prove. Like the guy at the local range last time I was there. He was shootin' a Ruger .44 and braggin' about how hot his loads were. Scoffed at me when I told him "Ruger only" loads were only about .45Colt. While his ammo made impressive fireballs and noise, they didn't leave much of an impression on the targets. He too claimed that "magnum" handguns were all about how much recoil you could handle. His targets showed me he was past that.

Virtually any powder intended for use in magnum handgun calibers will work well once you find the powder charge/bullet combo your firearm likes. Any load manual will tell you what these powders are and which ones tend to work the best. Pretty simple. Knowing alternatives to your favorite powder is a good thing when powders get scarce. When H110/W296 got scarce, I tried IMR4227 that I generally only used for the .460, in my .357s and .44s. Found out it is a great powder for accuracy, not only for the .460, but in both .357 and .44. I have used 2400 in the past, but found that it's place in my loads was already taken care of with Unique at the lower ends and H110/W296 or IMR4227 at the upper ends. Since it seems not to like to be downloaded in the .460, I have half a can that has been idle for several years.