44 special powders

[Pat73]

I folks!

I would like to know what powder in my possesion that would make good ammo.

I have 600 Starline 44spl case and 240gr jacket bullets, 240gr lead bullets (hard cast) and 200gr rnfp lead bullets (hard cast). So far, 44 magnum are back order anywhere in Canada, and it is why i'm reloading 44 spl at the moment.

As for the powder i have:

Titegroup, HP-38, W244, Universal, HS-6, Blue Dot, W572, W296 and IMR 4227.

As for reloading books i have Lyman 50th, Lyman 3rd edition cast bulkets, Hornady 10th edition, Lee 2nd edition 2019 update and Hodgdon 2020 and 2021 magazines.

Any advices are welcome.

 

[black mamba]

Depending on what firearm you're gonna use them in, I'd go with HS6 for heavy loads and HP38 for target loads.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

How long's your barrel and what kind of action?

In general, typically, W296 is too hot for a .44Spl so you might want to avoid it. The rest are all good for revolvers but of that bunch I'd stick to IMR 4227 for rifles and carbines. But that's just me.

 

[Walkalong]

W-296 and IMR-4227 are not going to burn well at .44 Spl pressures, but will work very well when the magnum brass comes in.

700X + cast bullets + .44 Spl = awesome, but HP-38/W-231 i pretty dang good too.

 

[Charlie98]

I've used TiteGroup in .44SPC, it worked well enough, but the pistol was so hot after 50 rounds I could hardly hold it to punch the empties out.

Actually, I'm kind of eyeballing that W572 you have, that and Universal might be worth a try.... it's where I'd start. Save the BlueDot, 4227, and W296 for the Magnum brass, for sure.

 

[Pat73]

I will be using my 629-6 with 6" barrel and my Big Boy 44spcl/44magnum lever action .

 

[Pat73]

I've used TiteGroup in .44SPC, it worked well enough, but the pistol was so hot after 50 rounds I could hardly hold it to punch the empties out.

Actually, I'm kind of eyeballing that W572 you have, that and Universal might be worth a try.... it's where I'd start. Save the BlueDot, 4227, and W296 for the Magnum brass, for sure.

I had excellent results with 44 magnum using my 629. Wlp pri.ers, 44 mag starline brass, 10 grains of w572 and 240gr Campro bullet yields me 1/4" grouping.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Depending on what firearm you're gonna use them in, I'd go with HS6 for heavy loads and HP38 for target loads.

I agree.

The only thing I can add to this, is to use the Universal for medium rounds.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Disclaimer
Find data in books,Dont take my bad memory for Gospel.


1150fps -5.5” brl 240xtp
18.5 gr H-110 In 44 spl brass

Brian Pierce article 2005 (issue 236) 18.5 max
and 2009 (Issue 260) 19 max

I’m a 44 spl nut and love my N frames, that Is more for Ruger’s.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Here ya go

 

[Lnf Crzr]

H110/296

Is same difference

 

[Walkalong]

Y'all be careful out there.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

If ….you use the 296, Caution ! It’s a full throttle Powder and can’t be loaded down, Bad things happen.

Im sure your wanting a 44 magnum-

It may be best to wait for the Mag availability.

 

[Steve51]

HP-38 Very good in .44 Spl loads.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Big Boy 44spcl/44magnum

That’s the place to use 4227. Lymans 45th says 15.0-17.5 gr for a 240gr cast; 14-18.3 for a 235gr cast. That longer barrel will give the 4227 plenty of breathing room.

 

[cfullgraf]

700X + cast bullets + .44 Spl = awesome, but HP-38/W-231 i pretty dang good too.

I’m currently using 700-X with cast bullets in 44 Special as well. Good stuff.

HP-38/W231 and Unique would be good performers as well.

Accurate #5 should be good as well. I use it in other similar pressure cartridges (45 Colt and 45 ACP) but not in 44 Special yet. Check reputable reloading data first before venturing into an AA#5 load.

 

[joneb]

I tried HS-6 for 44spl and it was ok, for my 3" barreled 44spl with 200 lead and 210gr coated I have very good results with WSF and VV N-340 for 950-1000 fps. For mild target loads with 180-200gr jacketed W-231 works really well, and with a 180 xtp 10.2gr of Accurate #5 is very accurate.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I used HS-6 for my 44 Special loads. They worked just fine. It's been a while and I don't remember how much, use a book for that. I was loading 240gr lead SWC's.

 

[Jackiesman]

I have loaded 44 cal since the mid 1980's. I use W296 exclusively. Initially tried all the others that have been mentioned but find the best consistency and accuracy with the 296 in all bullet weights. For what it's worth -----.

 

[Jackiesman]

I should also mention that H-110 is a near duplicate to W296 (if you have it).

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Jackiesman- With a disclaimer, I was referencing 296 earlier and stated some load data (H110), Then backed it up with where I had acquired it. From there I informed the “Caution” on down loading.

Can you share some of your “Safe”Load data Experience , If your comfortable with that?

Thank you

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Approximately 12 post back You will see my Reference

 

[Blue68f100]

Jackiesman- With a disclaimer, I was referencing 296 earlier and stated some load data (H110), Then backed it up with where I had acquired it. From there I informed the “Caution” on down loading.

Can you share some of your “Safe”Load data Experience , If your comfortable with that?

Thank you

When W296/H110 was first released it was load as stated, no reduction. A few years later they said it could be reduced 3%. Since then either the old timers who knew of the problem retired and the new generation just assumed it can be down loaded like any other powder. W296 works best at max load. I would not down load more than 3% for pistol/handgun ammo. A rifle may be a little different.

 

[Charlie98]

When W296/H110 was first released it was load as stated, no reduction. A few years later they said it could be reduced 3%. Since then either the old timers who knew of the problem retired and the new generation just assumed it can be down loaded like any other powder. W296 works best at max load. I would not down load more than 3% for pistol/handgun ammo. A rifle may be a little different.

If you are looking to reduce a load with W296/H110, you really need to be looking at a different powder.

 

[RealGun]

Whether I can easily enough see the charge before placing a bullet has a lot to do with my choice of powders, given adequate choices of powders on hand or available to order. That is second priority to finding load data first, unless extrapolation seems straightforward. Unique comes to mind first, and I gather your Universal is comparable. Titegroup would be a last resort. I would not be inclined to make loads hotter than I would enjoy as leftovers later in my actual 44 Special revolver (which would normally load with 200 gr lead bullets (MO Brinell 12), currently with 7.5 gr Unique).