180gr XTP and the 44 Magnum loads?

[BKS]

I’m looking for a good clean middle/upper of the road for the 44 mag with 180gr XTP.
I’ve shot the starting load of H110 and it’s super but boy howdy.
I’ve tried middle of the load data with HS6(15.0)Unique(11.0) and 2400(23.0) Idon’t mind residue in tye barrel but 10rounds of each of these left the gun sluggish and sticky feeling.
I’m trying to get around 1300-1500 FPS or so.

 

[Mk-211]

If you want performance, stick with H110 and whatever load that factory recommends. H110 is a great powder but don't deviate from the factory load specs.

Plus H110 puts out a pretty good muzzle blast at night, everyone likes to see it. So you can have fun with keeping the spectators happy and letting out the oohs and aahs.

 

[41 Mag]

Yeah that flash....been there done that. You think that lights up the woods ya ought to see my Raging Bull light off a 260gr mag jhp with 35gr. The barrel ports resemble a full nitro burning dragster...

I'm not sure what powders will put you in that range and burn clean with the lighter loads. If you can find some BE86 that might work out for you. Alliant's site shows 14grs at 1550 with the 180 but that's the top end and needs to be reduced by 10% for a starting load which might put you in the ball park.

 

[BWS]

The 180XTP/44 mag was/is about the only jacketed bullet that shot well out of my 1980 4" 629. It's cast only for all the other 44's here.

Now for the tricky part,and this is where the internet "can"(don't mean will) cause problems..... Blue Dot powder. You have to work up extremely slow,and methodically. A chrono is HIGHLY recommended. BD should,be right between Unique,and 2400. With the above 629,with no more BD than seeing the cases juuuust start to get barely snug,on extraction... it produces X ring,"you're lying" groups.

Gotta be careful. If you want more "juice" go with 2400. More economy,lower midrange, use Unique.

This combo 180XTP/BD is like sticking a piece of dynamite into a broadside deer. Classic high heart,dbl lung shot is dang dramatic. It is NOT the best load for big trophy animals where shot angles can change up in an instance. But for tree stand, PATIENT hunting there isn't gonna be a tracking problem.

Good luck with your project.

 

[BBarn]

I would try Power Pistol, True Blue, or BE-86 (already suggested).

 

[BKS]

I really appreciate the replies.

I think I am going to try 231 for this loading. In the past I found a good load for my 3" 357 with 231 and 110/125 grain bullets. This powder may or may not get me the velocities I "THINK" Im after but I believe it will get me close.

I am going to reduce my handgun reloading powders to W231-HP38 and H110-W296.

 

[BBarn]

Some users like W231 in the 44 Mag, but I don't care for it in that application when approaching max charges/pressures. Seems strange, but I seemed to experience more split cases when using W231. I guess one should try it for themselves.

 

[Palladan44]

I've always avoided "light for caliber" bullets in the Magnums, especially when looking for full-tilt rounds. They have way more recoil, noise, muzzle blast, and put more wear on the guns.......
However, you will definitely reach the highest potential muzzle energies for the calibers (110gr and 125 gr bullets In 357 Magnum approaching 1,000ft/lb. And your 180 gr. bullet in 44 creating up to 1,700 or more!)
Your goal of 1,300 to 1,500 fps is however not Full Tilt and is very reasonable and achievable in 44 Mag.
I don't recommend using H-110, W296,Lil Gun, 300MP or 2400 to get where you're trying to go.

I would think Powders like Power Pistol, W-231, BE-86, Longshot, Unique, Blue Dot or other Medium burning pistol powder would all do well for your "Medium Magnum" goal.
Should be a great performing round. Enjoy

 

[25-20 WCF]

Low weight bullets do not “put more wear” on handguns, heavy bullets and higher pressures do. Lower weight bullets have less recoil - that’s just simple physics and can’t be argued. Lower charge weights reduce recoil, and powders in the range of BlueDot are good powders for lightweight bullets in the velocity range the OP is looking for. It’s fine if you don’t like light weight bullets, but it seems that the OP does, and it’s his thread…




.

 

[BKS]

I just had these bullets, and was trying them. I have some 240s that I will try and see the difference in blast and recoil. Thanks for all the responses

 

[RealGun]

View attachment 1039257 I’m looking for a good clean middle/upper of the road for the 44 mag with 180gr XTP.
I’ve shot the starting load of H110 and it’s super but boy howdy.
I’ve tried middle of the load data with HS6(15.0)Unique(11.0) and 2400(23.0) Idon’t mind residue in tye barrel but 10rounds of each of these left the gun sluggish and sticky feeling.
I’m trying to get around 1300-1500 FPS or so.

My preference for mid-level magnums is AA#7. The Hornady manual has the 180 XTP at 1300-1400 fps using 13.5-16.0 gr. Unique has too much of a thumping recoil in magnums for my sense, and 2400 can be punishing too. Hornady shows 2400 with this bullet at the 1300-1400 fps range using 22.2-23.7 grains. VIHT N-105 was Hornady's stated favorite performer for 180 and 200 gr XTP.

I think it is a good idea with XTPs to always check the Hornady manual first and to own that manual, if using these bullets often.

 

[Typetwelve]

My Super Redhawk loves the 180g XTP. I messed with H110 and 2400 and in the end, I love one seated to 1.600" over 25g of 2400. 31.5g of H110 produces 1789 fps (that was MY OWN load data, BTW...Hornady does not list H110 load data for the 180g XTP), 25g of 2400 produced 1685 fps. The 2400 load is a very accurate charge.

Hornady says you can take 2400 to 26.6g...but I can't find a reason to do that.

 

[black mamba]

I use 14.0 gr of Longshot under the 180 XTP for about 1400 fps in my 6½" 629 Classic, very accurate, and around 30 Kpsi

 

[BKS]

I have some longshot I bought to try. I’ll try it out.