preferred powder for 44 magnum reloads?

[ArchAngelCD]

Full power - W296/H-110 and mag primers, 2400, standard primers

Mid to upper mid levels - Unique, standard primers (a really GREAT powder in the .44)

Mild - ?? .. fer pete's sake, it's a .44 Mag!

Are you suggesting:
Concealed means Concealed
Magnum means Magnum
and Mild means Wimp ummm >> .44 Special??

 

[profman]

could i get some advice? shooting thompson contender 14 inch barrel using blue dot 16.2 gr in remington 44 mag case, 240 gr winchester jhp and winchester large pistol primer. i finish the load with lee factory crimp die. this shoots well in the contender, but not really happy with the accuracy, so got some h110 and started with 22 grains and other components are the same. the group was mediocre, but the cases were sticky coming out of the barrel. no other sign of pressure. when shooting with 22.5 gr h110, the cases were definitely sticking in the barrel with no other signs of pressure. i stopped and did not shoot the test loads with 23 gr h110.

i loaded another five cases using 21 gr h110 and the cases did NOT stick. but the group at 25 yards was about 4 inches. are the sticky cases showing real pressure signs using the h110? i am below the published max load of 24 grains h110, so i am stymied what to do next to find an accurate load using h110 in my barrel? should i cut back on the crimp (Lee FCD) so the bullet starts moving earlier?

thanks in advance.

 

[DR505]

I use H-110 for full power and Unique for good target loads (240 grain LSWC @ 900-950 fps).

 

[Radaray]

I think the originator was looking for some "plinking" loads. I don't savor plinking with full power 44 Magnum loads due to the extra cost of the components and the excessive wear and tear on me and my gun. Save the full power ball powder loads for hunting or "serious" work.

It has been pointed out above that some of the best plinking (practice) loads can be had using Unique and a good cast lead bullet. Much more efficient and comfortable to shoot, both to the shooter and the gun. Some very accurate loads can be found with a bit of experimenting. And a lot more shooting for the money!

I might point out that one of the best hot loads I've found for the 44 Mag has been with VV-N110 using Hornadys 240gr XP in my 10 1/2" SBH. I won't publish the load. However, I haven't been able to get enough of this powder into a 357 Mag case to even approach the velocity of W-296 without smashing the heck out of the bullet nose, as it is compressed too much. I stick with 296 or 2400 in the 357 with the heavy bullets.

BTW, I saw something somewhere about Lil' Gun causing excessive heat. What's the deal with this? I've used a little of this in load development, but have not noticed any unusual heating of the gun.

 

[texgunner]

The last three powders I've used for .44 mag are Lil' Gun, AA#9 and 2400. Lil' Gun produced very goog accuracy and burns clean. Primers were Winchester LP and Remington 2 1/2.

Tex

 

[bltmonty]

I've only used one powder for my Ruger 44 magnum redhawk with 7.5 inch barrel, and that's Vihtavuori 110. I worked up the loads according to their guide and have exceeded the velocity from the manual with no pressure signs. I use CCI large magnum pistol primers and 240 grain xtps. I have not bothered with other powders because this combination has been fantastic.

 

[Ky Larry]

Just got a lb of RamShot Enforcer. Haven't had a chance to try it yet. I've got 500 Nosler 240gr JHP's and about 200 cases primed. Maybe this weekend I can load a few. I've used AA#9 for serious .44 Mag loads. It works very well.