Powder recommendations for 44mag/44spl

[sparkyguy]

Now, I am loading mostly 44mag, but have some(about 150) 44spl brass. I will be shooting out of a Puma lever-action 16"carbine and a Ruger Redhawk 7.5", if that figures into the equation. I'll be using Speer 240gr semi-jacketed SP's along with some Sierra 300gr JSP's. Can anyone with experience loading/shooting 44mag/44spl give some insight as to what works/ doesn't work best for you? Thanks y'all.

 

[LeonCarr]

Hodgdon H110 or Winchester 296 with jacketed bullets, Alliant 2400 with cast bullets.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Virginian]

I probably use 2400 more than everything else combined. Just about used up my last Hercules batch now.

 

[xring44]

I don't own a carbine chambered in the .44 magnum cartridge, however, I do own and shoot a couple of .44 magnums in revolvers, my favorite load, consists of 24 gains of win. 296 powder, magnum primer and a 240 grain Hornady XTP bullet. I'm shooting this load in a 629 S&W PC revolver. I've read with some interest that the XTPs are inefficent on game animals, that only cast bullets are suitable for hunting.
My experience is limited, but the XTPs proved to be very capable on Hogs, remaining intact and exiting the off side quite spectacularly.

 

[sparkyguy]

I should also mention I am reloading on a Lee Classic Turret press using the auto-disk powder dispenser. I have read on previous posts about some powders not working well with this set-up and was looking to avoid any PITA issues. Thanx.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

H110 will work great with the Lee.

Use H110 for full power loads
HS-6 for medium loads, These shoot great in my winchester 94 carbine.

 

[Zeke/PA]

My pet load in a Super Blackhawk is 11 Grains of Unique behind a 240 Grain Speer half jacket hollow point.
It's a tad under max but the load is very accurate in my pistol and the deer don't seem to notice the difference.
Zeke

 

[Brillo]

2400 for lead revolver loads. Unique, H110, and HS6 for jacketed revolver loads, H110 for maximum performance. Finally, exclusively H110 for my 20 inch 1894, all jacketed rounds.

 

[neal7250]

H110

 

[maynard93]

H110

 

[dirtdog]

Imr 4227

 

[GaryL]

Pretty much what everyone else said, H110 for hot loads, 2400 for mild to hot, Unigue is good for mild to medium loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

W296/H110 for the .44 Magnum rounds and W231/HP-38 for the .44 Special rounds.