Powder for .44 mag

[presspuller]

I finally got my hands on a .44 mag Redhawk and fixing to start making some rounds for it. I will be using 240 gr Keith style cast bullets. I have on hand Accurate #2, #5, #7, #9, Titegroup and IMR 4227. I have more Titegroup and 4227 on hand than the others, but hopefully the stores will have more soon.
I was originally planning on using the 4227 till I noticed in the books that 22 grains are both the starting and max load, and that it is a compressed load as well.
Out of my selection of powders, what do you recommend? These will be for just paper punching, but would like the full range of light to heavier loads.
Thanks guys.

 

[buck460XVR]

AA#9 and IMR4227 should give you similar performance with the 4227 giving you a tad more velocity. Lyman's shows a max of 24 gr of IMR4227 under a 240gr Cast and not compressed. From my experience with IMR4227, it likes to be slightly compressed or just under being compressed. 21gr of 4227 should give you about 1000 fps. When only a max load is given(as in Hodgdon's 22.0C load) one can generally figure 10% less for a start load.

 

[Rule3]

Perhaps a manual or 2? or at least online.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/products/handgun/

https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

 

[birdshot8's]

I occasionally load for my Marlin 1894 44mag with IMR 4427. Stevespages.com lists charges from 19 to 26 grains with CCI 350 primer, for a 240 grain bullet. I have never had a compressed load with IMR4427. That being said for full power loads H110 is the gold standard.

 

[bluetopper]

You have an array of powders on hand to choose which ever power level you desire in 44 Mag.

Personally, I would save the Titegroup for small volume semi-auto calibers.

Also, 4227 comes it to its own in performance when compressed.

 

[presspuller]

Perhaps a manual or 2? or at least online.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/products/handgun/

https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

Thanks for the advice all. I have never used 4227 so the compressed part had me a little stumped.
By the way, I looked through my five reloading books before posting here. I still wanted some more advice from those that have reloaded this round.

 

[Walkalong]

AA #9 will work great.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for the advice all. I have never used 4227 so the compressed part had me a little stumped.
By the way, I looked through my five reloading books before posting here. I still wanted some more advice from those that have reloaded this round.

It's a matter of what kind of ammo you want. You want full house barn burning 44 MAGS or do you want mouse fart target plinking loads? What gun and barrel length.

I suggested manuals and online sites so you can see the pressure and velocities of the different powders.

As walkalong said #9 is the slowest of that brand is you "magnum" powder for full mag loads. I would not even consider titegroup in that big of a case.

Kinda like asking what car should I drive?

 

[gotboostvr]

The most accurate load in all my 44s and 357 loads involve 4227 at near max loads with a firm crimp.
At lighter loads i was much less impressed.
It might not have the velocity of 110/296, but it has "enough" to get the job done.
22.8gr under a 240 XTP is my accuracy load in a number of firearms. Very consistent performer.

 

[joneb]

I use 2400 for lead and H-110 for jacketed my Red Hawk has a 7.5" barrel, how long is yours?
I tried AA#9 with 240gr jacketed and I like H-110 better, if I had a 3-4" barrel I might have a different opinion.

 

[BBDartCA]

H110/296 is the way to go. Very accurate with those bullet weights. Quite loud too.

 

[edfardos]

Agreed h110. Go big or stay home. You own a 44mag, not a 44 special. Try Oregon trail laser cast in that Redhawk too. Lots of options.

 

[Walkalong]

Out of my selection of powders, what do you recommend?

AA #9, then 4227 for full house loads.

#5 & #7 will do medium loads.

#2 will make nice "mouse fart" loads. (And a better choice than Titegroup IMHO)

And yes, H110/W296 is also a very popular, if not the most widely used, powder for full house .44 Mag loads.

My .44 carbine liked 4227 better than W-296 for accuracy with jacketed bullets.

 

[joem1945]

I use AA # 9. I used to use AA2 but had some leading issues with cast bullets.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Unique !!

 

[doctorjohn]

7 to 8 grains of Unique under a 240 grain cast SWC makes a good plinking load.

 

[Walkalong]

I used to use AA2 but had some leading issues with cast bullets.

The problem wasn't the powder choice.

 

[WestKentucky]

I like accurate #7 for lighter loads. I try not to turn my 44s up much though in case I load a hot one in my contender. My gun can take the recoil but I cant. #7 gives me very accurate rounds at 100 yards through the TC, and hunting accurate loads through my revolver at 50 yards. I can't ask for more since I don't run into critters who might think I look tasty.

 

[presspuller]

I use 2400 for lead and H-110 for jacketed my Red Hawk has a 7.5" barrel, how long is yours?
I tried AA#9 with 240gr jacketed and I like H-110 better, if I had a 3-4" barrel I might have a different opinion.

My barrel is 4.2 inches.
I loaded up 50 rounds with 22 gr of 4227, but the rain kept me from touching them off. Maybe one day this week I can get to try them out.

 

[sean1129]

In my Smith model 29 (8 3/3''), 23 grains of 4227 with a 240 swc is perfect. This is Lyman data, which is very slightly compressed.

The recoil is stout, and accuracy is quite good. Also, it's a very clean load (4227 leaves junk at lesser charges) for me.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Like 2400, AA#9 and H110.

Unique for lighter than full loads.

 

[MovedWest]

I've standardized on 2400 and Unique for my 44 caliber loads. I've always thought AA #9 was a bit too much fire for my liking. 4227 can be inaccurate or super accurate depending on your bullet choice - full 4227 loads will sometimes require compressed loads which I prefer to stay away from.

I do load Green Dot under 180gr JHP's for super light recoil loads for rapid fire competition with my single action revolvers. They're not much good for anything else though.

-MW