Reloading - Accurate Arms No2 Powder

[Calibre44]

I hand-load .44 pistol cartridges for my Winchester under-lever (Trails-End version).

I use 6g of AA2 with a 240g RNFP bullet - I have to download for my local range due to sound restrictions, but I like this load anyway as the recoil is easier on my shoulder.

At 25 and 50 yrds my hand-loads shoot accurately and I’m very pleased with them. However, I recently attended another range and shot at a distance of 200 yrds. I had increased the loads to magnum to compensate for the increase in range but the accuracy was next to useless. I have used factory magnum rounds before at the same distance and they shot really well which is why I concerned that my hand-loads didn’t.

Does anyone else use AA2 successfully with magnum loads or could anyone recommend an alternative powder to use?

 

[Sunray]

"....44 pistol cartridges for my..." As in a .44 Magnum? Accurate's site has .44Mag rifle data. Not for cast bullets though. If you're using handgun data out of your rifle, that may be the answer. The velocities and pressures are much different. Max 12,900 CUP with a 250 gr cast handgun bullet vs 38,400 CUP max for a jacketed rifle bullet using AA #2.
6 grains of AA #2 is well under minimum for a .44 Mag and a cast bullet and over max for a .44 Special load. I'd be loading your Magnum brass to Special velocities, but use the Accurate load data. Low pressure loads(as in under max) can be as dangerous as over max loads. Mind you, 200 yards for a .44 Mag rifle is optimistic. Using Remington factory 240 grain ammo, zeroed at 100 yards, the bullet drops 17" at 200 yards. It drops 12.5" between 150 and 200.
"...increased the loads to magnum..." Are you using a cast/lead bullet with magnum loads? Cast bullets cannot be driven as fast as jacketed bullets or you'll end up with barrel leading issues.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/loaddata_caliber_rifle_standard_432cal.htm

 

[Calibre44]

Thanks Sunray

Yep I’m sure you are right. The factory rounds I used were ‘Winchester 44 Rem Mags 240g Jacketed Soft Point’ and they flew really well.

The bullets I’m using for my home-loads are cast but not by me. I did buy them from a reputable dealer though - but clearly they are the problem.

Thanks again. The info you provided has been really useful. I think I’ll get a 223 or 7.62 for 200 yrds!

I bought the 1894 in a panic 18 months ago when I heard they were shutting the factory down. I’ve always wanted a trails-end with an octagonal barrel and was lucky to get this one brand new. It shoots ‘on the money’ at 50 yrds and I recently won a ‘turning target’ competition with it

 

[Walkalong]

AA #2 is not a good choice for full load .44 mag. H110, W296, 2400, N110, & AA #9 will all do the job for full loads.