AA#9 or H110 for 44 mag 240gr loads?

[hornadylnl]

I'm wanting to load 44 mag for a desert eagle. I know you have to use a stout charge to get the DE to cycle. I've tried using cheap lead factory loads and it stove pipes on almost every round. I'm wanting to load near max. The highest velocities listed in my manual without going max is AA#9 and H110. I'm wanting something accurate as I may also use these rounds in a revolver or levergun for hunting in the future. Thanks

 

[TN Shooter]

I would recommend the H-110 for max loads. I load it in my .50 AE Desert Eagle and it functions flawlessly...

Good Shooting,

TS

 

[Walkalong]

AA#9, H110, & W296 will all work well. Enforcer from Ramshot is supposed to be good as well. N110 if you want to pay the price.

19.9 Grs. AA#9 with a 240 grain Magtech softpoint and it is quite accurate. I also have used W296 with success as well. Right now I still have some AA#9 so that is what I am using.

 

[Slamfire]

I do not like firing full power loads in a 44 Handgun, but I did develop some H110 and W296 for use in my Marlin rifle. What I determined was that there was very little difference velocity difference between these powders for the same bullet weight. Each shot well, as well as you can shoot with a lever action. The velocity you get with a rifle barrel is at least 200 fps higher than what I would have gotten with a pistol. I don’t know if the data is of any use, but my rifle data is below the message.

I am not going to recommend either powder. You either load max, or you don’t. It is dangerous to load less than max. My testing consisted of going to the recommended load, and going up a half grain to see what happened. Nothing evil happened. I prefer 2400 because I have loaded thousands of ¾ full power loads with that powder and it still shoots well and it is not considered dangerous to reduce the charge. I have shot a lot of AA#9, it shoots well in 44 Mag, and makes a lot of noise. Personally I prefer 2400.

M1894 Marlin Ballard Barrel

240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs W296 WLP Fed cases 23-Mar-05 T = 65° F

Ave Vel = 1725
Std Dev = 7
ES 21
Low 1715
High 1736
N = 5

240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs W296 WLP Fed cases 23-Mar-05 T = 65° F

Ave Vel = 1752
Std Dev = 12
ES 28
Low 1735
High 1763
N = 5

240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases 23-Mar-05 T = 65° F

Ave Vel = 1710
Std Dev = 3
ES 9
Low 1705
High 1714
N = 5

240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs H110 WLP Midway cases 23-Mar-05 T = 65° F

Ave Vel = 1745
Std Dev = 12
ES 45
Low 1723
High 1768
N = 10

240 Rem JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases 23-Mar-05 T = 64° F

Ave Vel = 1719
Std Dev = 10
ES 29
Low 1705
High 1734
N = 10

 

[GaryL]

You either load max, or you don’t. It is dangerous to load less than max. My testing consisted of going to the recommended load, and going up a half grain to see what happened. Nothing evil happened. I prefer 2400 because I have loaded thousands of ¾ full power loads with that powder and it still shoots well and it is not considered dangerous to reduce the charge. I have shot a lot of AA#9, it shoots well in 44 Mag, and makes a lot of noise. Personally I prefer 2400.

Interesting data, thanks for posting it. I agree with you regarding 2400.

I have loaded 44mag with H110 from 22.5gr to 24gr. The Hornady manual I have lists loads from 21.8gr to 24gr of H110. The Hodgdon states not to reduce H110 loads more than 3% less than listed (24gr) to avoid ignition problems. I didn't detect any ignition issues using WLP primers, but with the 22.5gr loads there was significant embossing of the breech face on the case head, and they felt nearly (but not quite) as stout as the 24gr loads. Clearly the pressure curve allows the case to be pushed back harder with reduced loads (less sidewall tension?).

Anyway, 2400 is a pussy cat by comparison. The H110 seems ideal for hunting.

 

[Hutch]

<snip>but I did develop some H110 and W296 for use in my Marlin rifle. What I determined was that there was very little difference velocity difference between these powders for the same bullet weight.

Rumors abound that H110 and WW296 are exactly the same powder, and that any difference in results is just the usual variation in the same powder. Well, that's the word on the street...

Obvious caveats, your mileage may vary, yadda yadda yadda

 

[cheygriz]

I use H110 for all bullet weights from 180 JHP to 310 Cast GC in my .44.

I also use it for all bullet weights in .357 Magnum and .454 Casull.