H4227 in .357 or 44 mag

[DC Plumber]

Hey folks,

I have some left over H4227 from when I loaded for a 218Bee that I used to have. I've heard that h4227 is a nice magnum powder. I currently use 2400 for my magnum loads with jacketed bullets.

Anyone with likes or dislikes with H4227? I'll try it out regardless, just seeing what the opinions are.

Thanks in advance.

Ooops, wrong forum, I know it will get moved to handloading. Sorry.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I shoot a lot of 4227 in 357 Mag and 357 Maximum. Good powder but let me give you some advice.

Reloading questions get more answers if you put them in the reloading section. Just a thought mind you.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

4227 was very popular as a Magnum powder back-in-the-day but has lost it's appeal for some reason. It will deliver almost as much velocity as W296/H110 and in some hard to please revolvers it will deliver superior accuracy. It will without a doubt deliver superior velocity compared to 2400. I think it's slightly better suited for the .44 Magnum than the .357 Magnum, especially with heavier bullets but will work just fine in the .357 Magnum too. If you have a supply of 4227 left over with nothing else to load with it there's noting wrong with using it for Magnum handgun ammo. You just might like it better than 2400...

 

[Twiki357]

I've been using 4227 for 357 and 30 carbine since the mid 1960's.

 

[BCRider]

In my quest for loads that work well but also satisfy the WOW! factor by producing a big fireball I bought some 4227. The first few .44Mag loads done with 240gn RNFP were nice for the recoil but lacked the "WOW!" factor. It certainly won't go to waste though. I'll use if for outdoor loads where the flame and fireball aren't so visible anyway and save the 2400 loads which have a much higher "WOW!" value for indoors...

I'll have to compare back to back but it did seem like the 4227 produced a slightly more soft and thumpy recoil than the sharper smack of some H110 reloads I've got.

 

[GCBurner]

It's my go-to powder for 158 grain loads in the .357 Magnum. As someone mentioned, it works very well in the .30 Carbine, too.

 

[DWFan]

I use 4227 in my Maximum for one reason; it's virtually immune to temperature variations. Very important when you are loading/testing in August and Sept in Texas and then hunting in Indiana and Georgia in November and December.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I agree with that. Shooting in the summer and winter with my Maximum's 4227 has been very reliable for velocities.

Also 4227 does not flame cut as quickly as H110 or 296 does when you are running really high pressure loads.

 

[cheygriz]

I used it for years with good results. It will still work just fine today.

But since H110/296 came on the scene, I discontinued using it.

 

[BCRider]

DWFan, that information about the load stability over a wide temperature range is appreciated. I'll keep it in mind for when I'm doing loads intended for something other than closer targets or just for fun.

 

[USSR]

It's my go-to powder for 158 grain loads in the .357 Magnum.

+1. 16.0gr of 4227 behind a 158gr jacketed bullet is the most accurate load in my 6" M686.

Don

 

[Eb1]

I use IMR 4227 in .44 Mag lead loadings. Works really well. Someone mentioned hard to please revolvers. Well that would be my Ruger SBH, and IMR 4227 fits. I know you mentioned H4227, and there is a difference, but I think you would get good results. Especially out of a .44 Mag.
Also the flame isn't there like 2400, but the accuracy is.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

My favorite 357 load is 15.5 gr (compressed) 4227 w/ magnum primer over MBC 158 gr SWC.
It also gets the attention of others at the range.