Powder suggestions for .44 Magnum.

[Seabeeken]

Powder

My Redhawk likes H-110 and IMR 4227 with Hornady 240 gr XTP. I'm going to range this morning to test a few faster burning powders for accuracy. I usually hold mine down around 1200 fps. Easier on gun and shooter. The deer killed by it could never tell me if the bullet was going 1200 or 1400 fps.
Going to try some Lil Gun and N-110 in it too. I'll let you know how it does

 

[Rodentman]

I picked up a bunch of 4227 since it was available. I usually use H110, but I find the 4227 to be "softer shooting" if you know what I mean. Less muzzle blast. Doesn't smell as good as H110, but not bad!

 

[Crashbox]

Well, it seems the general consensus here is that:

1) I can't go wrong with H110/W296 for full-house loads with jacketed pills;

2) 2400 is good for either cast or jacketed, and is capable of full-house or nearly full-house performance;

3) IMR 4227 may or may not give quite the top velocities as would H110/W296/2400 but it is somewhat easier on the firearm (looking at the velocity/pressure ratios in several manuals seems to confirm this), and is suitable for either jacketed or cast projectiles;

4) Most of the faster powders I have in stock (Herco, Unique, True Blue) would be at least somewhat usable for running .44 Special-esque rounds.


For the record, I saw that Midsouth had IMR 4227 in stock so I ordered some more. The good thing is that if I find for whatever reason my SRH isn't happy with it, there are some folks I know that I can probably sell/trade with.

These responses have been most insightful. Again, a big thank-you to all who have contributed to this thread.

 

[Seabeeken]

Back from the range. Tried a number of powders in my 44. I tried to keep velocities in the 1200 fps range. I used Hornady 240 gr XTP pills.
My Redhawk loves HS-6. It printed a jagged 3 in one hole group and 2 that were out of the group, which I'm sure was my fault. It also liked Titegroup. I'm going to try both again next week. It does not like H-110, N110, N-320, 4227, or Lil-Gun. Groups were over 4 inches. Keep in mind, this was sandbags, open sights and 50 yards. Every gun is different so try as many powders as you can.

 

[therealwormey]

i get 8lbs of H110 evertime i see it at a show.about 4 to 6 shows a year.

 

[silicosys4]

I use unique for range loads using cast bullets, 2400 for hotter cast lead hunting loads, and w296 for full tilt jacketed and 300gr. gas checked cast bullets.

 

[Buck13]

It does not like H-110, N110, N-320, 4227, or Lil-Gun. Groups were over 4 inches.

How many rounds of each powder did you shoot? I'd be skeptical of conclusions drawn from one five shot group. I'm no statistician, but seems like I recall someone saying that about 20 rounds per load was where you could really start to trust the data.

But even if it's not statistical gold, I'd be real happy with 3 touching holes out of 5 at 50 yards! If I ever see a bottle of HS-6, I'll give it a try.

 

[RealGun]

Powder suggestions for .44 Magnum.

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Last week I purchased a new Ruger Super Redhawk 7-1/2" barrel, .44 Magnum and am looking for suggestions on powders to use for this cartridge. As far as bullets go, I have Missouri Bullet's 240-grain TCFP cast which seems to work well with 14.7 grains of Accurate No. 7. I also have some Montana Gold 240 JHP's and some Nosler 240 JHP SHG projectiles which I will load and put aside for home defense purposes.

My current, suitable powders in stock are 2400, 300-MP, H110, IMR 4227, A5744, Longshot, and additionally some Unique and True Blue and a bunch of Herco and TiteGroup but I do not intend to use in the .44 but if I hear otherwise, I may give them a whirl.

Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

I am loading 240 gr SWC now using 20.7 gr PowerPro 300-MP.

I also just got in my first coated Keith bullets from Missouri Bullets and will use the same load.

In terms of leading, I am now using my gunsmith's advice and firing a few jacketed bullets before putting my gun up at the range. He wants me to stop using bronze brushes or even pure copper Chore Boy in my barrels, saying he had to do the same, or barrels would wear out (start grouping poorly with worn down lands) before firing the expected 50K rounds.

 

[ljnowell]

I am loading 240 gr SWC now using 20.7 gr PowerPro 300-MP.



I also just got in my first coated Keith bullets from Missouri Bullets and will use the same load.



In terms of leading, I am now using my gunsmith's advice and firing a few jacketed bullets before putting my gun up at the range. He wants me to stop using bronze brushes or even pure copper Chore Boy in my barrels, saying he had to do the same, or barrels would wear out (start grouping poorly with worn down lands) before firing the expected 50K rounds.

I strongly disagree with your gunsmith. The day that bronze brushes wear down a steel barrel is the day gun manufacturers need to get better metallurgists.

Traces of copper fouling in a barrel will make it lead horribly also. I have many guns that I won't shoot jacketed for that reason.

 

[Catpop]

Yea, I know a guy who swears the only way to remove leadiing is shoot jacketed bullets on top if it. You should have seen that bore. Took me three sessions of chore boy to get it out. CATPOP

 

[Rodentman]

I got a load of the 44 Keith coated bullets fro MO bullets. I am very impressed with them. Great price, no smoke nor leading.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

H110 w/ magnum primers.

 

[Crashbox]

Speaking of H110/W296 and primers, has anyone perchance used the Winchester Large Pistol (WLP) primers with these powders, the ones that state they are suitable for standard and magnum purposes? And if so, did they work satisfactorily?

 

[mahansm]

I've been using WLP to light 296 under 240 grain jacketed bullets (IMI hollowpoints) for years now with no problems. WSP are problematic with 125 grain bullets in .357 using 296; WSPM works every time.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Speaking of H110/W296 and primers, has anyone perchance used the Winchester Large Pistol (WLP) primers with these powders, the ones that state they are suitable for standard and magnum purposes? And if so, did they work satisfactorily?

The LP primers from Winchester perform as advertized so you can use them without worries.

I first tried them in some 45 Colt loads when using HS-6 and then moved on when those worked well.

 

[Elkins45]

One real advantage to 4227 is that you can actually find it on the shelves to replenish your supply.

I'm not loading anything with 2400 until it is available for purchase again.

 

[RealGun]

If using jacketed bullets to clear lead from the rifling, the idea is not be obsessive about achieving a pristine barrel during subsequent cleaning.

I own a gun that needs a new barrel, since it has nearly nonexistent lands and will not shoot acceptable groups at 25 yards. Something wore it down (Ruger Police Service Six) before I got it.

 

[ljnowell]

If using jacketed bullets to clear lead from the rifling, the idea is not be obsessive about achieving a pristine barrel during subsequent cleaning.



I own a gun that needs a new barrel, since it has nearly nonexistent lands and will not shoot acceptable groups at 25 yards. Something wore it down (Ruger Police Service Six) before I got it.

I will cast extremely serious doubt that it was a bronze bore brush.

 

[Crashbox]

One real advantage to 4227 is that you can actually find it on the shelves to replenish your supply.

I'm not loading anything with 2400 until it is available for purchase again.

I'm probably going to do the same thing, or at least minimize my usage of the 2400 I have left. Looking forward to testing the IMR 4227.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Crashbox,
Make sure you are getting sufficient crimp with the full house loads. That's probably what gave you the erratic grouping with the magnum class powders. Failure to apply a firm crimp will cause erratic velocity, flyers, and with H110 will usually leave unburnt powder all over your hands.

 

[Crashbox]

Crashbox,
Make sure you are getting sufficient crimp with the full house loads. That's probably what gave you the erratic grouping with the magnum class powders. Failure to apply a firm crimp will cause erratic velocity, flyers, and with H110 will usually leave unburnt powder all over your hands.

I don't think it was I who mentioned erratic performance from the magnum-class powders, but I'll check my posts again... I've never had issues as far as I can recall. I am definitely aware that a rather stout crimp is a must with magnum loads; my new Redding Profile Crimp die should make easy work of it.

 

[Mad Chemist]

My bad.
It was this guy who I meant to respond to.

Seabeeken :
Back from the range. Tried a number of powders in my 44. I tried to keep velocities in the 1200 fps range. I used Hornady 240 gr XTP pills.
My Redhawk loves HS-6. It printed a jagged 3 in one hole group and 2 that were out of the group, which I'm sure was my fault. It also liked Titegroup. I'm going to try both again next week. It does not like H-110, N110, N-320, 4227, or Lil-Gun. Groups were over 4 inches. Keep in mind, this was sandbags, open sights and 50 yards. Every gun is different so try as many powders as you can.

 

[Crashbox]

No problem.

This is off-topic, but I like your username- there's definitely some "Mad Chemist" in me, especially since I truly enjoyed mixing up some quasi-original Hoppe's No. 9 with the nitrobenzene in it... among numerous other things which I won't go into detail here...

 

[wombat13]

Which of the powders discussed in this thread would be best for a Marlin 1894? I'm using 2400 but would consider something else (although I've got a lot of 2400).

 

[Mad Chemist]

Lil'Gun