Magnum Powder Question

[ColtPythonElite]

Another vote for Power Pistol.

 

[Swampman]

FFG?
Maybe not quite as loud as H110/W296, but if you cram enough in there, I bet you could get an 8 to 12 foot muzzle flash!

Do you get extra points for smoke inhalation damage, or are they only awarded for blindness and permanent loss of hearing?

 

[TenDriver]

I ended up buying a pound of H110 and AA#9. I still like 4227 for every day use and when I can find it again will be stocking up.

I figure one pound of H110 should last me the rest of my life at the rate I'll be using it.

 

[hartcreek]

Green Dot, Blue Dot and Unique should work.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Both are magnum class powders but AA#9 will not flash/bang as much as W296/H110.

I'm to late to suggest other powders because you already have what you need but if in the future you run short again, you can give Power Pro 300-MP or Lil'Gun a try too. Also, on the slightly faster side is Longshot.

For some reason Accurate 4100 is is ignored as a magnum pistol powder and I'm at a loss as to why. It's a good substitute if you can't find 4227, both are similar in burn rate.

 

[2ndtimer]

I ended up buying a pound of H110 and AA#9. I still like 4227 for every day use and when I can find it again will be stocking up.

I figure one pound of H110 should last me the rest of my life at the rate I'll be using it.

Actually, you will be surprised how quickly the H-110/W296 Alliant 300 MP goes. Full power loads with those powders use a lot of powder. I was going to suggest Accurate No. 9 as a suitable alternative. I also find it to be a little more flexible. I have some rounds loaded with 2400, almost ashamed to admit that in over 30 years of loading the .357 Mag, that I have never tried this iconic powder before.
Now if you want a pound of powder to last a long time, get some Tite Group and some cast bullets and load some mild .38 spec or .357 target loads. You should be able to get 1400 to 2000 rounds out of a pound. (provided you can find the primers)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Now if you want a pound of powder to last a long time, get some Tite Group and some cast bullets and load some mild .38 spec or .357 target loads. You should be able to get 1400 to 2000 rounds out of a pound. (provided you can find the primers)

Yeah, when loading .38 Special wadcutters I can load over 2100 rounds using W231/HP-38. Ball powders seem to stretch a good long way when loading light loads...

 

[TenDriver]

Actually, you will be surprised how quickly the H-110/W296 Alliant 300 MP goes. Full power loads with those powders use a lot of powder. I was going to suggest Accurate No. 9 as a suitable alternative. I also find it to be a little more flexible. I have some rounds loaded with 2400, almost ashamed to admit that in over 30 years of loading the .357 Mag, that I have never tried this iconic powder before.
Now if you want a pound of powder to last a long time, get some Tite Group and some cast bullets and load some mild .38 spec or .357 target loads. You should be able to get 1400 to 2000 rounds out of a pound. (provided you can find the primers)

I have some Accurate #9 and Titegroup. So far Titegroup has been the best powder I tried for 9mm. I also loaded 3 rounds of 8.5 gr of it under a 240 gr plated bullet but decided to pull them back down. For some reason I'm leery of this combo, although the load manual said I'm good up to 10 gr.

My H110 test rounds I loaded last night were 240 gr XTPs over 23.5 gr and a Tula magnum primer. I did not look at the rifle data yet so until I verify they're fine for my 92, they're staying in the pistol.

 

[savanahsdad]

44mag is one of my favored cals I started loading for it about 17 years ago , I've used Bullseye , HS-6 , unique, universal , 2400, W-231, and W-296 , I started with Bullseye at 4.5gr you get a bunch of rounds out of a 1lbs can , but most of what I have listed don't make enough gas to run an auto loader like a Ruger Deerfield or a Ruger Carbine , other than 2400 or W-296/H110 , and I have found W-296 to be cleaner burning than 2400 , not that 2400 is dirty but the W-296 is just cleaner , however 2400 dose get a few FPS faster , but for me the W-296 is my go to powder for 44mag and 357mag , and that fire ball is NOT unburned powder, it's the gas from the W-296 hitting the air, and the blast is not bigger , it's brighter do to the gas ,

I see a lot of "BUT you need mag primers" so what ?? I have both in multiple brands , if it is the cost , find another brand , or shop around ,I've paid less for mag primers than standard primers in the past ,


anyway.... IMO the closes powder I've found to W-296 is 2400 , there are a lot of fans of both of them , we could start a low road war on witch is better , but if you can't fine one get the other , I have an 8lbs keg of W-296 a 1 and a half cans of 2400 so I'm good for a long time , not out of Bullseye either

 

[Swampman]

Originally posted by: savanahsdad

I have found W-296 to be cleaner burning than 2400 , not that 2400 is dirty but the W-296 is just cleaner , however 2400 dose get a few FPS faster , but for me the W-296 is my go to powder for 44mag and 357mag

What weight bullets are you using?
I've always gotten considerably better velocities in my .44 Magnum with W296 than 2400. I will say that I mostly shoot cast bullets, usually 245 grains and heavier.

 

[TenDriver]

Swamp, are you loading cast boolits with 296?

 

[savanahsdad]

Originally posted by: savanahsdad


What weight bullets are you using?
I've always gotten considerably better velocities in my .44 Magnum with W296 than 2400. I will say that I mostly shoot cast bullets, usually 245 grains and heavier.

240gr JFP 21gr 2400 I get 1430 fps out of a 10 1/2 blackHawk
240gr JFP 23gr W-296 I get 1395 out of the same gun , I know I could run them a bit hotter but this is where my gun and my loads are the most accurate and in my 44 mag rifles the same loads seem to have a bit more of a spread , but there so close that most shooter would not care . looking at some load data the W-296 is listed as faster , maybe the 2400 just likes the longer barrels ? but like I said if you can't find W-296 my next pick would be 2400 and for cast my pick is 2400

 

[Swampman]

@ TenDriver
For my hog loads I run/H110/W296 with a Lee 310 grain gas check.

For general use I shoot a 245 grain Lyman 429421 charged with 2400 one grain shy of the old Keith load.

For .44 Special I use either the 429421 or the 429348, 180 grain full wadcutter over Unique.

 

[USSR]

If using unchecked lead bullets, 2400 and 4227 are much better powders than W296/H110.

Don

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I've only loaded and shot about 100 rounds so far, but am really liking Accurate Enforcer in my 44 Mag. Meters great and gives a good enough boom to let you know you just unleashed something with authority but while not being overbearing.

 

[ohioshooter]

I'm about to use Lil Gun...should work well in my Coonan .357 mag!!

 

[TenDriver]

If using unchecked lead bullets, 2400 and 4227 are much better powders than W296/H110.

Don

I haven't even thought about using W296/H110 for anything but jacketed bullets. IMR4227 has been the deal for cast or plated. When I get things settled down and a better stock of supplies, I think my handloads are going to be strictly 6.0 of 700X for cast bullets (or some of the other light loads that were sent to me. I got a TON of great information!), 4227 for my plated and 110 for jacketed.

Truthfully I'm not fond of H110 so far. It's worse than Titegroup for making my powder measure sticky. When I'm done with it I have to throw a bunch of graphite lube into it and work the action a few times to make it happy again. I am very happy with 23.8 gr of it under a 240 gr XTP in my rifle though!