44 Magnum for rifle and H110

[Hondo 60]

I love Lil Gun in my Redhawk 44 Magnum.
I tried W296 & had a pretty big Standard Deviation across my chronograph.
I found Lil Gun to be much more consistent.

For just plinking I use Tite Group.
But it's too fast for true magnum loads.
The pressure spike occurs way too soon to get magnum velocities, but has MUCH less recoil.

 

[StretchNM]

Funny...Hodgdon's own site says exactly the opposite...
It says that with lower loading density full powder ignition becomes sketchy, and the 'danger' lies in sticking a bullet in your barrel:

I agree with this, Salmoneye, because if a reloader doesn;t get a hot enough load of powder in the case (or insufficient crimp), you will have unburnt powder in the case. This could lead to, as you say, sticking one in the bore.

Well, the powder isn't actually "unburnt", rather, it's "combusted insufficiently". ((D)))

 

[280shooter]

I always use 296. when I loaded 44mag, they didn't have all these newer powder like lil gun,, and the likes. 296 worked for me in my redhawk..and I used it under 240 all the way up to 300 gr.

 

[buck460XVR]

What is the problem that this powder has in this caliber?

There is no problem when used correctly within the parameters it is designed for. It's when folks don't think they need to follow directions is when the problems arise. It works very well for me in .357, .44 and .460 mag revolvers and carbines. IMR4227 is a close second choice.

A long time reloader advised me that H110/W296 is volume sensitive. If there's too much air space in the casing due to using less than the rather generous minimum load that the pressure actually spikes up early and it can spike to higher pressures than even a max load.

This old myth of detonation has been around for years and is used for powders other than H110/W296 also. It is generally used by those that have blown up their guns because of a double charge and are looking for an excuse other than themselves. Powder companies have disproved the detonation theory many times. Black powder detonation is more prone in muzzle loaders than when used in a cartridge.

 

[jlucke69]

I use H110 for high power loads in my Winchester, Marlin, Henry and Ruger rifles and my Ruger and Smith handguns. Never had a problem with any of them digesting the rounds. Never had a concern about light loads, as I do not go under minimum load data for any rounds. I load with Universal Clays if I want less power.

 

[shoots45s]

Hodgdon lists the load data min/max as 23-24gr for a 240 gr bullet using H110. With such a narrow range, and that the 1894 has a slow twist of 1/38" is there any reason to test a range of various loads for this rifle/bullet combo or just go with 23.5gr and call it a day?

 

[4895]

I recommend you find/buy 1 lb. of H110 and 3 boxes of 240 grain XTPs. Pick up some magnum large pistol primers, and use 24.0 grains of powder with a heavy roll crimp. You should get almost 300 rounds with a lb. of that powder and you will know by then if you like it. Start with the best and work down from there. Magnum loads with H110 are never a waste.

 

[Salmoneye]

Never start at MAX load...

Always start at Min recommended, and work your way up...

Just because MAX was safe in the tested barrel, does not mean it is safe in YOUR gun...

My old Hornady manual (#4 in the rifle section) lists their 240gr HP/XTP with H110 from 20.5-25gr...A mid 90's canister of H110 that I have lists MAX for the 240gr jacketed @ 24gr with a 'dire warning' not to reduce the charge by more than 3% for a starting load...

As I said...Just because MAX was safe the day the companies tested it in THEIR guns does not mean it is safe in YOUR gun today...

 

[shoots45s]

I recommend you find/buy 1 lb. of H110 and 3 boxes of 240 grain XTPs. Pick up some magnum large pistol primers, and use 24.0 grains of powder with a heavy roll crimp. You should get almost 300 rounds with a lb. of that powder and you will know by then if you like it. Start with the best and work down from there. Magnum loads with H110 are never a waste.

Easier said that done - I'd have to be able to find powder, primers, bullets and brass. Nevertheless, sounds like a good idea.

 

[oldpapps]

Any 'listed' MAX is not a challenge.

My MAX is going to be something less than some young feller who hasn't learned, yet.

Load with your safety in mind. Follow safe and accepted loading practices. 'START or BEGINNING' is a very good indication of what they are. I would prefer to have fellow shooters complaining about how they 'had to work up' a load than to tell about the split cylinder or frozen action if they survived.

Always error on the side of safety.

 

[4895]

Hodgdon lists 23 grains as min. and 24 grains as max. I can't tell a difference in the loads and don't think you can put enough H110/W296 into a case to ever cause problems. When I said "work down from there", I really meant to say that those powders are IMHO the best and others are 'less suitable' for the rifle.

 

[poco loco]

I've seen a couple recs to "work up your load as normal" with 110/296, That's exactly what you can not do safely with those powders.

They will produce great velocity, and for a full bore magnum there is no better powder imo but there isn't really any workup, never reduce more than 3% from max or you can have squib loads that uncaught can lead to spontaneous dis-assembly of your firearm.......

2400 on the other hand is safe and effective for anything from mild to wild plus is a more caliber versatile powder.

 

[oldpapps]

poco loco,

You are completely correct. But, in most cases, a 'start' is listed. The spread isn't very big. On several listings for 748, I have seen no starting load, just the set max. I always look further, 748 or H110 or 296 or what ever.

For heavy loads in the .44 Mag, I am currently using a powder that is no longer available and love it. Some day I will run out. At that time, most likely, I will go back to 2400. I have a lot of H110 and Lt'Gun and use it in other applications.

I still believe that any heavy pistol loading for the .44 Mag will do well in in longer barrels. This doesn't block anyone from working other loadings to extract all that a rifle can produce.

 

[poco loco]

You're right oldpapps, I have had good luck in my Marlin 94 with all kinds of different combinations and most all shoot pretty well if I size my bullets right. 110/296, 2400, aa#9, heck Unique works well.

I just don't want to see someone think "normal" and then drop 10 percent plus a little for good measure and have a problem. I like 110/296 but it is a magnum powder, it even prefers a magnum primer, and honestly I haven't noticed much difference between min and max with .357 .44 or even Ruger only 45 Long Colt.....they seem to shoot and feel just about the same but I'm usually shooting steel critters and not paper so group sizes could be different but I don't notice much trajectory or point of aim difference. I know the 45 load was more than I like so I went back to 2400, about to try some aa#9 under a 250 moly lead, a 250 Keith and a 200 flying ashtray that R-92 in 45LC is a fun little carbine......

 

[chunk]

I like AA#9 or H-4227 for 44 mag In my marlin 94...I have used 296 & 2400 Didnt like them as much...