Need a versatile .44Mag powder
- Thread starter gofastman
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bluetopper
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The Raging Bull series of revolvers are far and away the best and stoutest revolving pistols Taurus has made. How much of an endorsement that is, I'll let you be the judge.
zxcvbob
Member
If the gun has a long barrel, yes. 17.0 grains of 2400 should give you just over 1300 fps with that bullet, and it will slightly exceed SAAMI specs but well under CIP specs. Use at your own risk. Work up to it and stop if you get sticky extractions or blown primers, etc. Use regular LP primers.
W296 or H110 would be a better choice for this project (with magnum primers), even if 2400 is a better all-around powder.
W296 or H110 would be a better choice for this project (with magnum primers), even if 2400 is a better all-around powder.
TooManyToys
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Plus 1 for IMR 4227 !
A good preformer with comfortable recoil, even with full house loads it doesn't have the sharp, gun beating recoil that some other powders do.
A good preformer with comfortable recoil, even with full house loads it doesn't have the sharp, gun beating recoil that some other powders do.
zxcvbob
Member
H110 and W296 are the same powder. Perhaps they were once different, or perhaps it was just lot-to-lot variations, but they both come out of the same hopper how -- so get whichever is a little cheaper the day you buy it. No need to buy both.
sweater914
Member
My practice load in .44Mag is 7.5gr Unique using a 240gr SWC about 1000fps, and a pleasant round to shoot and no sore hands afterword. Unique isn't to dirty in this application.
In .44Spl 6.0gr Power Pistol using the same 240gr SWC, feels like a .38Spl in my 7.5in Redhawk.
In .44Spl 6.0gr Power Pistol using the same 240gr SWC, feels like a .38Spl in my 7.5in Redhawk.
zxcvbob
Member
Probably. Try it and see! (what's magic about 1300?)
its easy to say
nothing specifically important about 1300fps, but I got the Raging Bull because I have read its built like a tank (looks/feels like one)
and I'd like to push things a bit, withing safe limits of course.
Hornady moves their 300gr ammo at 1150fps.
in my limited experience, big name American ammo makers load on the light side
MovedWest
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I doubt it's runing that fast. That's the classic Skeeter load and it only runs 950fps in Special cases. Probably more like 850-900fps.
OK, well easy metering is high on my priority list.
whats a good substitute for Unique?
Again, this is my goal for it:
quiet and low flash is good too, i want something e-a-s-y to shoot when i choose to shoot .44 Spl
whats a good substitute for Unique?
Again, this is my goal for it:
gofastman said:
quiet and low flash is good too, i want something e-a-s-y to shoot when i choose to shoot .44 Spl
ColtPythonElite
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Unique meters well enough. I have two different powder measures. Each will throw +/- a tenth of a grain.
meters fine. I use it with scoops and a trickle, or you just fined what weight your gun likes, and cut a case to size, and use it as a dipper with a used primer in the primer hole. That is the way I charge my 9mm with Unique. Just a fired case cut to size with a braised/soldered handle. Quick and easy. Maybe that will work for you.
Find the powder charge, mark the case, cut or grind. Bingo! No need to weigh again.
Find the powder charge, mark the case, cut or grind. Bingo! No need to weigh again.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
IMO 2400, AA#9 and 4227 are all more flexible than W296/H110. Pick the one you can find in the store and go with it...
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Only metering issue I have with Unique is in charges of 6.0gr or less. Which is where Titegroup comes in.
I had read how great a powder Unique is but that it meters lousy and bought a pound of 231 at the same time just in case. No biggie both will get used up quickly and I want to try them in some other calibers too.
While not as precise as 231, Unique meters ok from my RCBS Powder measure, within +/- .2 grains. While 231 will meter within +/- .1 grains.
Recently I clocked a 240 gr. LSWC @ 892 fps with 7.5 gr. of Unique in a 4" 629 with Magnum cases. 7.0 grains of 231 gave me 826 fps, I'm still fiddling with both powders and haven't settled on any accuracy loads yet. But one or the other will fit the bill for an plinker load.
I'm revisiting reloading for the .44 Magnum after an 18 year hiatus and have some Hercules 2400, H-110 and AA9 on hand, all at least 18 years old. I talked with Alliant and Accurate Arms and they both told me that if it was well stored and had not degraded that it should still be good and I can use current data. The powder has been sealed in the original containers in a cool, dry Colorado basement, the H2400 was in an unopened can.
I've had far more experienced hands then me tell me to use the old powder as fertilizer...they could be right, but I hate to waste powder.
19.5 grains of H2400 with a 250 gr. BTB WFNGC that really weighs 260 gr, clocked 1249 fps from the 4" 629.
19.5 grains of a fresh new pound of Alliant 2400, with the same bullet clocked 1153 fps....big difference.
The old AA9 produced 1179 fps with 17.5 grains and a BTB 280 gr. WFNGC, after working up from 16.0 gr. which produced 1111 fps.
At this point I'm reworking the 250/60 BTB WFNGC, A2400 loads at 19.5, 20.0 and 20.5 grains, then I'll be checking for accuracy.
I'm debating going with a fresh new pound of H110 or AA9, if I go with the H110 I'll definitely go with a new pound.
I have an old hand, a mentor of sorts who's suggesting Unique/A2400/H110 is all a guy needs for .44 Magnum, it's all he's used for the past 40 or so years.
However I'm impressed with the results of the old AA9 powder and I do like the flexibility verses H110/296 which of course requires a much more narrow working range. So I have a bit of work to do here and the AA9 can be used in 10mm which I load for as well. I've also read that if it's velocity I want at lower pressure then H110/296 is the way to go, verses AA9 or other powders.
My memory is getting bad, but if I recall correctly the H110 produced a bit of flash and blast in my old 6.5" 629 DX and I can do without it, even if it means sacrificing a few fps, I don't need to be blinded if I need to deal with Bullwinkle or Yogi at dawn or dusk or in the night.
I'm also going to try another bullet, a 250 gr. Ledhead Keith bullet is next.
My original goal is.
Plinker, practice load.
Bulk 240 gr. LSWC @ 850-1000 or so fps. Possibly two loads one mild, one warm.
Central to Northern Rocky Mountain Woods protection load.
250 gr. Kieth or LBT WFNGC @ 1200-1300 fps, for the Central Rockies.
280 gr. LBT WFNGC @ up to 1200 fps, or whatever the gun safely handles, without stressing it for the Northern Rockies, with possible Grizz. I've read that 300 grains is stressing the 4" 629 at any useful velocity.
I'm using CCI-300's for the above loads, and of course would go with 350's or WLP for any H110/296 loads.
Any and all suggestions if you have any experience with a 4" 629 that will do the above is greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer, the above loads worked safely in my gun and may not in yours and as usual your own reloading due diligence is required when reloading.
While not as precise as 231, Unique meters ok from my RCBS Powder measure, within +/- .2 grains. While 231 will meter within +/- .1 grains.
Recently I clocked a 240 gr. LSWC @ 892 fps with 7.5 gr. of Unique in a 4" 629 with Magnum cases. 7.0 grains of 231 gave me 826 fps, I'm still fiddling with both powders and haven't settled on any accuracy loads yet. But one or the other will fit the bill for an plinker load.
I'm revisiting reloading for the .44 Magnum after an 18 year hiatus and have some Hercules 2400, H-110 and AA9 on hand, all at least 18 years old. I talked with Alliant and Accurate Arms and they both told me that if it was well stored and had not degraded that it should still be good and I can use current data. The powder has been sealed in the original containers in a cool, dry Colorado basement, the H2400 was in an unopened can.
I've had far more experienced hands then me tell me to use the old powder as fertilizer...they could be right, but I hate to waste powder.
19.5 grains of H2400 with a 250 gr. BTB WFNGC that really weighs 260 gr, clocked 1249 fps from the 4" 629.
19.5 grains of a fresh new pound of Alliant 2400, with the same bullet clocked 1153 fps....big difference.
The old AA9 produced 1179 fps with 17.5 grains and a BTB 280 gr. WFNGC, after working up from 16.0 gr. which produced 1111 fps.
At this point I'm reworking the 250/60 BTB WFNGC, A2400 loads at 19.5, 20.0 and 20.5 grains, then I'll be checking for accuracy.
I'm debating going with a fresh new pound of H110 or AA9, if I go with the H110 I'll definitely go with a new pound.
I have an old hand, a mentor of sorts who's suggesting Unique/A2400/H110 is all a guy needs for .44 Magnum, it's all he's used for the past 40 or so years.
However I'm impressed with the results of the old AA9 powder and I do like the flexibility verses H110/296 which of course requires a much more narrow working range. So I have a bit of work to do here and the AA9 can be used in 10mm which I load for as well. I've also read that if it's velocity I want at lower pressure then H110/296 is the way to go, verses AA9 or other powders.
My memory is getting bad, but if I recall correctly the H110 produced a bit of flash and blast in my old 6.5" 629 DX and I can do without it, even if it means sacrificing a few fps, I don't need to be blinded if I need to deal with Bullwinkle or Yogi at dawn or dusk or in the night.
I'm also going to try another bullet, a 250 gr. Ledhead Keith bullet is next.
My original goal is.
Plinker, practice load.
Bulk 240 gr. LSWC @ 850-1000 or so fps. Possibly two loads one mild, one warm.
Central to Northern Rocky Mountain Woods protection load.
250 gr. Kieth or LBT WFNGC @ 1200-1300 fps, for the Central Rockies.
280 gr. LBT WFNGC @ up to 1200 fps, or whatever the gun safely handles, without stressing it for the Northern Rockies, with possible Grizz. I've read that 300 grains is stressing the 4" 629 at any useful velocity.
I'm using CCI-300's for the above loads, and of course would go with 350's or WLP for any H110/296 loads.
Any and all suggestions if you have any experience with a 4" 629 that will do the above is greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer, the above loads worked safely in my gun and may not in yours and as usual your own reloading due diligence is required when reloading.
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I have only shot H110 with WLP primers, which is listed for Standard and Magnum loads. I distinctly recall one of my first times out with various loads of H110 was with snow on the ground that wasn't melting and it was probably December and above 0*. I have done some shooting at -20*, but it is not worth the time and trouble to load up everything and head to the range as it is a short shooting session at those temps.RalphS said:
Anyway, Hodgdon's data lists 24gr of H110 for a 240gr JHP. I shot loads at 24gr, 23.5gr, and 23gr. All lit off just fine. But the 24gr load felt better than the 23gr load (smoother recoil?), and the 23gr load showed slightly more flattening of the case head. I know that's not scientific data, but it was enough for me to decide to never go below 23.5gr with H110.
I shot some of those same 24gr loads last weekend and it was nearly 90*. They are stout, but it's hard to tell a difference from the cold weather stout.
I find 2400 to be a better powder. I don't lose hardly any velocity with it at the top end, and the mid range loads are sweet shooting.
zxcvbob
Member
From my experience with .45 Colt (and a 7.5" barrel) Alliant Promo is worth a try for your 900-ish load. It is the cheapest canister powder there is, it's very accurate, and a little goes a long way. (you'll only need about 7.0 to 8.0 grains to get in the range you're talking about -- and there will be a big difference between 7 and 8) And Herco or AA#7 should get you close to your "warm" goal.
I know .45 Colt and .44 Magnum are not the same cartridge. But for this application they are really close.
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