Favorite .44 mag powders

[Kernel]

V-V N110 and AA9 for full power.

Unique, AA5, and 231 for plinking.

 

[Boxhead]

Same as I gave elsewhere, maybe AR or the Campfire?

 

[just for fun]

these loads go back to a article written in the mid /late 70's. Still a "go to" for light 44 loads. Both were for 240 lswc, mag cases and standard primers. 5.5 grs of bullseye or 6.5 of 231. The only changes I've made over the yrs. is now I use that data and plated bullets. Never got along well enough with unique to buy a second pound of it. Black powder dirty and + - .2 grs out of my RCBS powder drop. Some like it. Ford and Chevy thing to me. Tried about all of the slower powders for full house loads and keep coming back to 2400. By now I must have a front row seat in the slow learner class!

 

[skidder]

JJ, you might want to consider some AA#9

I agree.
I like Hornady bullets and AA#9 has given me the best accuracy and velocity.

 

[km101]

296/H110 for the heavier jacketed loads, and I have tried AA9 for a backup.

For cast lead I have used Unique for all bullet weights for years with good success and see no need to change.

 

[JSmith]

I usually load for target/plinking with my S&W M29 (9 gr. W231, 220gr. Berry's plated.)

Lately I've thought about making some full-house magnum loads with .240gr SJHPs (if I can find some.) I looked at Alliant's load data for 2400 & Blue Dot, and the information seems thin: they offer only two choices for .44 mag 240gr bullets - cast LSWC and Speer GDHP (Gold Dot Hollow Point, apparently.)

For the GDHP, they offer (1) recipe each for Blue Dot (13.7gr) and 2400 (21gr). Are these powders really that inflexible? Can the GDHP data be used for any plain old SJHP?

Hornady's site has a wide range of recipes for 240gr bullets. I was looking mainly at 296 or 4227 until I read Hondo60's recommendation of Lil' Gun. I want a load that will produce a good amount of "thunder and lightning" to impress some non-shooting friends we're expecting for the holidays. We plan a range trip with them and I'd like it to be a memorable experience!

Anyone have suggestions for a good "special effects" load?

 

[Walkalong]

I looked at Alliant's load data for 2400 & Blue Dot, and the information seems thin: they offer only two choices for .44 mag 240gr bullets - cast LSWC and Speer GDHP (Gold Dot Hollow Point, apparently.)

For the GDHP, they offer (1) recipe each for Blue Dot (13.7gr) and 2400 (21gr). Are these powders really that inflexible? Can the GDHP data be used for any plain old SJHP?

The charges listed are max. Drop 10% for a starting point.

Speer lists different loads for the GD vs their other same weight JHPs in some calibers. I don't have my Speer manual handy, but can check it later.

 

[TrueTexan]

Due to the great powder shortage earlier this year I started using the Dots. Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot for my loading powder. I have had very good luck out of the Green Dot for my light 44 mag loads. Alliant says the rate Shotgun powders but also handgun powders. I find them now and they are cheaper than most of the other powders.

 

[Jlr2267]

Anybody tried Alliant 300-MP?

That, green dot and Herco I can get locally. Thinking I might try it for some 357/44 hot loads. Herco is great by the way, for mild to mid loadings

 

[gamestalker]

I've been using H110 / 296 and jacketed bullets almost exclusively for about 3 deacades, I just love that stuff. I've also loaded a good deal of them with Blue Dot, 2400, and IMR-4227, but nothing seems to satisfy my need for full tile magnum performance like H110 / 296 does. My hands and wrists don't like it, but what do they know?

GS

 

[cfullgraf]

but nothing seems to satisfy my need for full tile magnum performance like H110 / 296 does. My hands and wrists don't like it, but what do they know?

Ever since 2003 when my horse broke my right wrist, i listen to what my wrist tells me.

If and when i try top loads in my 44 Magnum, it will probably be with W296/H110.

By the way, you take the mustang out of the wild but you cannot get the wild out of the mustang. Her radar is always up and running.

 

[GRIZ22]

Unique for moderate loads, 296 for full power, cast or jacketed. 95% of my handgun reloading is cast.

 

[joed]

I quit Unique 6 years ago and switched to Universal because of metering problems with Unique. For full power loads nothing but 2400.

 

[jhop73]

2400 for hard cast and 296 for jacketed.

 

[98Redline]

H110/W296 for the hot magnum loads (both cast and jacketed)

Unique for everything else

 

[AZ Desertrat]

Use HS6, AA#5 for plinking loads, and AA#9 and IMR4227 for the full power hunting loads.

 

[tcj]

H110, N110 or Blue Dot under a 240 JSP.

 

[AABEN]

AA # 7 AA # 9 is my go to for the 41 M 44 M

 

[Viper225]

I have been working up some loads for my brothers 9.5 Inch Super RedHawk.
Bullet: Lee 310 grain WFPGC
Primers: Winchester WLP
Powder: Lil Gun

20.0 = 1,400 fps
18.0 = 1,275 fps or so
16.5 = 1,200 fps This ended up being our White Tail Deer load.

300MP, my local gun shop has a couple or three cans. I think I may try some.
The October 2011 Handloader Magazine had a good article on it. Looks to be a good Hi Performance powder for Magnums.

I also like AA #9, great powder. I just decided to work up my 44 loads with Lil Gun to save my AA#9 till the supply gets better.

Cast 240 plinking ammo Unique is hard to beat.

Bob