Powder Advice for 357 & 44

[JustsayMo]

I've begun loading for 44 Remington Magnum and 357 Magnum in my Marlin 1894 I'd like to work up some loads for both and if possible use the same powder.

In the 357 has an 18" barrel with ballard rifling. I'd like to use 158g SJSP or SJHP primarily but not exclusively. Perhaps even try shooting some lead with it too.

The 44 mag has the 20" micro-groove barrel. I haven't had it very long but I'm really liking the handy size and potential for a good "woods gun." The primary load I'll use in it is a 240g SJSP.

Most of the data I've found is for pistols. I'm hoping someone out there has some *rifle loads that they've found to be accurate. The powders in common listed in my 80's era loading manuals are 2400, IMR 4227 and H110.

Recommendations?

 

[LHB1]

I use W296 for full power loads with H&G cast bullets in my .44 Mag ammo which is now shot in S&W M629 Classic revolvers. The same ammo shot very well in my Marlin 1894 carbine until a friend talked me out of the Marlin. I won't say what load is used because I don't believe anyone should take a load suggested by someone else. Refer to at least two reliable, published loading manuals and/or websites, i.e. Winchester and Hodgdon in this case. Full power loads for modern .44 Mag revolvers approach 36-40,000 psi. I wouldn't want to shoot anything more powerful than that in either a .44 Mag revolver or a Marlin 1894 rifle. You will get noticeably higher velocity from the rifle with H110/W296 (pistol) loads just because of the longer barrel allowing more time for the powder to push on bullet.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: Hodgdon 110 and Win 296 are VERY similar if not the same powder. HOWEVER, I would NOT substitute one for the other without confirming from two reliable published sources. Even then, start low and work up carefully.

 

[fecmech]

Justsaymo--It's hard to go wrong in the .357 or .44 with most of the slow burners like 2400, 296/h110, AA9 and lately I've had good luck with Blue Dot. I have been able to reach magnum velocities with all those powders and excellent accuracy. I have no experience with .44 rifles but I have single shot .357 rifle and find velocities run about 300fps faster out of the rifle over a 6" revolver. Pick one or a couple powders and have at it! Good luck. Nick

 

[griz]

Lil'gun is great for a 158 grain bullet in 357. You can get about 1900 FPS out of a rifle using that powder. I would assume that it would be well suited to a 240 grain 44 mag, but have not tried it.

 

[ReloaderFred]

If you can locate some old issues of Handloader Magazine, they did in depth articles on loading for both the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum Carbines. Look for issue Number 100 for the .357 Carbine, and issues Number 31 and 104 for the .44 Carbines.

I use the loads they recommended, and they really work in my carbines.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Exact charges no. But some good general info (IME anyway):

Blue Dot: Good in both calibers for light-end magnum loads with slugs in the middle of the calibers weight range. Requires good crimp for max. efficiency. Usually need standard primers. Very flashy.

H110 or 296: Good for full-tilt loads, regardless of slug weight. Crimp/neck tension are critical with these powders for efficient/complete burn. Magnum primers usually needed. Not quite as flashy as blue dot.

2400: Very good powder for full power loads, although slighty dirty and pretty flashy. If you wanted to "keep it simple" this would not be a bad choice for "THE" powder for these 2 calibers. It will handle eveything offered in both calibers pretty well. In general 2400 gives very good to exellent accuracy across these 2 calibers. As a matter of fact both my "deer" loads for my 18" 1894 winchester trapper and my "carry" ammo in my SP101 357 snubbie use this powder.


'Lil gun: Good for the same as 296/H110 minus about 10% in the horespower dept. Not very flashy. Usually need standard primers.

N110: For a real treat try this powder out. VERY clean, very accurate, very low flash, and all but maximum velocities. I use about 50/50 standard/magnum primers with this powder. Downside, you ask? Pretty pricey.

For low power/speed plinker loads: unique, ww231, red dot, and clays universal will all work well

 

[anonanon]

After much testing, I've went to H110 (=W296) for full and medium loads in both .357 and .44 (including Ruger carbine .44s). It may not be the most consistent in ignition in medium loads, but that seems to be technical only: its accuracy is better than 2400 and 4227 in all my guns, and it doesn't lead the barrels as much in cast or swaged bullets, and pressure signs are less. In full bore loads it is head and shoulders better than 2400 and 4227, and they in turn are far superior to Unique and similar hotter powders.
Lately I've been experimenting with Lil'Gun. It seems to solve the inconsistent ignition problem of H110 in mid loads and is just as accurate and just as immune to leading. And it works better with standard primers, whereas H110 needs magnum primers. Only thing I found is that Lil Gun produces a bit more velocity per grain than H110 and I expected a bit less. Since I have to go by professional tests for pressure and there are too few available pro tests for Lil' Gun, I'm a bit leery about top end loads, but I'm real happy so far with the mid-power loads.

 

[Magnum Mike]

I like H-110 powder for both the .357 and .44 magnum. They work very well in revolvers with barrels over 6" in length, and they should work well in the 18" rifle barrel as well.

 

[45crittergitter]

Another vote for H110. However, barrel length is irrelevant to powder selection based on velocity.

 

[Big_R]

Just to be different, I've had really good luck with AA#9 in both rifles and handguns in .44 and .357.

Ryan

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Big R: Good call. I had forgotten about AA powders.

As you said #9 works for full snort stuff. And #7 works well for midrange(but still magnum) stuff. Both meter very well.