Favorite Magnum Pistol Powder

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Well, I’m going to be an odd man out I guess. I picked IMR 4227. The reason why is because I started reloading during an ammo panic, and it was all I could get. It has consistently been the one powder that was readily available through the three shortages I’ve been through, so I’ve used a lot of it, and gained respect for its capabilities.

Don’t get me wrong, others will give more velocity, and others still will give more versatility, but like a hot SPAM sandwich on a cold winter night, it satisfies when the other delicacies are unavailable.

Upvoted because of the hot spam sandwich reference. That’s a sure fire sign of good taste!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

What eyebrow-less maniac Pyro voted for blue dot?

I would have if we’d been allowed more than one vote. You stand a much better chance of losing hair to 296 than to Blue Dot.

 

[runner3264]

H110 is my favorite. Loading 357 Mag and 44 Mag. Great for full power loads. Isn't that what these cartridges are for?

 

[nofendertom]

Until your hand and wrist says STOP !

 

[Shivahasagun]

Any love for Enforcer?

I tried it out in .357, but with a 3 inch barrel.
I'm contemplating a 4 inch Anaconda when available but I think it'll have the same issue. I have 1.5 lbs of it.

These magnum powders are really inefficient in any short barrel.

Is that right?

 

[dcarr]

Until your hand and wrist says STOP !

i so agree with this

 

[CoalTrain49]

2400 for me. I use it to load 30 Carbine also. You might say it's a dual purpose if you also load small case rifle cartridges like 22 Hornet and the like.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Any love for Enforcer?

I tried it out in .357, but with a 3 inch barrel.
I'm contemplating a 4 inch Anaconda when available but I think it'll have the same issue. I have 1.5 lbs of it.

These magnum powders are really inefficient in any short barrel.

Is that right?

I've never noticed that in a 2.5" model 19 using mid range loads.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Until your hand and wrist says STOP !

Mine are starting to scream. I have some nerve damage in my hands and it’s getting worse. I never imagined I would have a hard time picking up a book in one hand but here I am, flinching in pain just picking up my car keys.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Well if prices don't get down under control ,I'm gonna switch to VV N105 ,N350 and replace My IMR4227 ; Which by far has been MY most accurate .44 Mag loads . It gives a little velocity up over 2400 but for the accuracy gain I'll take it every time

Pachmayr rubber handgun grips and allow barrel roll up ,bringing it down onto target and repeating is the KEY to NOT maiming one's hands .

The Older we get the smarter we had better become ,otherwise we will succumb all together .

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Well if prices don't get down under control ,I'm gonna switch to VV N105 ,N350 and replace My IMR4227 ; Which by far has been MY most accurate .44 Mag loads . It gives a little velocity up over 2400 but for the accuracy gain I'll take it every time

Pachmayr rubber handgun grips and allow barrel roll up ,bringing it down onto target and repeating is the KEY to NOT maiming one's hands .

The Older we get the smarter we had better become ,otherwise we will succumb all together .

When you read reviews of IMR 4227 you generally see two things; it’s really dirty or it’s really accurate. You just have to realize that it has idiosyncrasies that you need to pay special attention to. It likes heavy loads, heavy crimps, heavy bullets, and long barrels. If you try a minimum load with a 110 gr XTP and a light roll or taper crimp out of a 2” barrel, you’ll likely be disappointed. A max load out of a lever action with a 158 gr+ bullet will produce lots of grins and ragged ten ring though.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Only one magnum revolver; .357 BH. So, it gets 2400.

 

[tjmga]

Working with a 357 Ruger security six with a 4" barrel and 158 bullets. I have found that HS-6 gives me within 40 f/s that H110 does. I do think my Ruger is giving me slower velocities than most with max loads of H110. When I had 44 mag handguns I really liked H110 for max loads and Universal for light loads.
tj

 

[dcloco]

HS6

 

[Charlie98]

Choose your "oison" and load on.

When you read reviews of IMR 4227 you generally see two things; it’s really dirty or it’s really accurate. You just have to realize that it has idiosyncrasies that you need to pay special attention to. It likes heavy loads, heavy crimps, heavy bullets, and long barrels. If you try a minimum load with a 110 gr XTP and a light roll or taper crimp out of a 2” barrel, you’ll likely be disappointed.

I wasn't busting on your post, Chuck, I referred to it because it mirrors my experiences with slower powders... I mean, I was was like 'WTH?' the first time I used IMR4227. Now that I understand how they 'work more better,' I'm quite fond of them. IMR4227 and 2400 are nice alternates to the all-or-nothing W296/H110.

Fred (Flintstone... ) I would think if you downloaded W296/H110 below the published minimums, you'd get a dirty burn, too... among other problems, it's simply that you are able to do that with IMR4227 and 2400 without getting into ignition or burn problems... even if they burn dirty. Like a 2-stroke motor, however, once you get these powders up 'on the pipe,' they are really, really good.

These magnum powders are really inefficient in any short barrel.

...but they give you velocity, if that's what you are looking for... even out of a shorter barrel.

 

[Yamifrk]

2400 for the 357,
H110/296 for the 44. I love the reference Charlie98. Get it into the power band and it really works, otherwise you’re just making smoke and noise.

 

[bigpower491]

2400 for the 357,
H110/296 for the 44. I love the reference Charlie98. Get it into the power band and it really works, otherwise you’re just making smoke and noise.

296/110 would be the powder of choice for an 89-01 CR500R

 

[Palladan44]

2400 for me. I use it to load 30 Carbine also. You might say it's a dual purpose if you also load small case rifle cartridges like 22 Hornet and the like.

H-110 loads in 30 Carbine and 22 Hornet too. IIRC The powder was actually first manufactured specifically for 30 Carbine.

 

[BushMaster-15]

When you read reviews of IMR 4227 you generally see two things; it’s really dirty or it’s really accurate. You just have to realize that it has idiosyncrasies that you need to pay special attention to. It likes heavy loads, heavy crimps, heavy bullets, and long barrels. If you try a minimum load with a 110 gr XTP and a light roll or taper crimp out of a 2” barrel, you’ll likely be disappointed. A max load out of a lever action with a 158 gr+ bullet will produce lots of grins and ragged ten ring though.

I've been using it for nearly 58 years and Dupont began manufacturing it in 1934 I believe . When I worked at Hercules it was a lunch time Hobby for sodas sandwiches to STUMP fellow workers on Powder trivia . I began to STUDY UP ,as I got initiated pretty hard being the Young upstart .
We had some pretty sharp older guys who had seen WWl Service ,so it WASN'T easy . I subsidized the Lunch room for 2-3 months on a pretty regular basis

 

[Yankee1986]

I subsidized the Lunch room for 2-3 months on a pretty regular basis

I'm guessing that was "money well spent".

 

[CoalTrain49]

H-110 loads in 30 Carbine and 22 Hornet too. IIRC The powder was actually first manufactured specifically for 30 Carbine.

Both will probably be discontinued shortly. All good things come to pass.

 

[BushMaster-15]

I'm guessing that was "money well spent".

The Stories alone were worth 10X the admission . One older fellow who actually worked explosives at Hoover Dam ,described an accident when a line suspending a jackhammer operator off the Mountainside doing a Keyway cut broke . Manila rope aka Hemp frayed against jagged rocks ,as the pounders as they were known fell to his death . The tragedy wasn't over as he went so did his steel which was attached to him temporarily. That then cascaded off additional rocks ,thus taking out a powderman and a load of sticks ; Killed #6 people but the Powderman survived ,he was telling the story . I kick myself near daily NOT having some of their pictures duplicated ,some of those guy's had some HARROWING PHOTOS like the Powderman hanging 400 Ft. on Hemp rope . Some safety protocols were implemented as a result of so many deaths , like anchors and safety ropes so IF one failed ,you didn't end up at the bottom .

I worked on a Dam doing exactly that running a 90 lb. hammer 280 ft. up cutting in a keyway ; Before I went to work for Hercules , I used 2"x16" 80% nitro stick with anfoprill ( fertilizer Ammonium Nitrate sprinkled with diesel fuel ) So his stories HIT HOME .
I had rigging and dual safety catch lines all OSHA approved . That's why the Military Grabbed Me and put Me in Special training Rangers demolition work !. I was already registered with FBI full finger prints and mug shot ,so trying to finagle my way out of explosives in the Military DIDN'T GO AS I HAD PLANNED .

 

[dcarr]

Mine are starting to scream. I have some nerve damage in my hands and it’s getting worse. I never imagined I would have a hard time picking up a book in one hand but here I am, flinching in pain just picking up my car keys.

I'm not there yet but I kind of see this in my future if i live long enough. I'm certainly not going to click like on this.

 

[Riomouse911]

I picked AA#9, which is my second favorite behind Enforcer.

H-110 is a great full-tilt powder, it’s just not my fav.

Stay safe.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I picked AA#9, which is my second favorite behind Enforcer.

H-110 is a great full-tilt powder, it’s just not my fav.

Stay safe.

I still haven’t had the time to try it but from what I’ve read in Handloader and various hunting articles, Accurate No.11FS is supposed to be WC297, the flash suppressed, more stable and better behaved W296. It’s the pistol magnum world’s Jekyll to 296’s Hyde.