Selecting The Best Performing Powder For Your Given Gun/Bullet

[Walkalong]

Of the ones not on your list that I have experience with and works well, AA #9.

I don't use W-296/H-110 anymore (Not worried about the last little bit of velocity, a 240 at 1300/1350ish FPS will do all you need out of a .44 Magnum), I won't use Lil Gun, no experience with 300-MP, haven't tried Enforcer in .44 Mag.

AA #9 and N-110 will give great accuracy, and don't complain if you are not at max.

 

[Jack B.]

As far as primers go Winchester Large Pistol works with all the powders talked about above. They are for standard and Magnum use. I use them in everything I shoot that requires a LP primer magnum or not. But then again I Iive in a warm climate.

 

[Load Master]

As far as primers go Winchester Large Pistol works with all the powders talked about above. They are for standard and Magnum use. I use them in everything I shoot that requires a LP primer magnum or not. But then again I Iive in a warm climate.

Jack, I do the same. Winchester Large Pistol primers. I ended up purchasing Winchester 296 powder. It was $26 for a pound. I'll try it out and see how I like it.

 

[Varminterror]

@Load Master - note, H110 and W296 are the same powder in different cans. That which applies for one so does for the other.

Also, as some have noted here, certain brands of LP’s are indeed LPM’s, such as WLP’s and Rem 2 1/2’s. I typically use CCI primers, but have used thousands of each of these with H110/W296 in 44magnum.

 

[Charlie98]

When I think of load 'efficiency,' I think completeness of the burn, absolute velocity is a byproduct. Powders like W296, which I use, provide absolute velocity but at a cost... a charge weight approximately twice that of my normal powder... Unique. That isn't to say Unique won't push those bullets out there, either.

Personally, for me anyway, I've kind of settled on IMR4227 for cartridges like the .41 MAG, which I shoot a lot of, out of both pistols and a 20" carbine, where it works very well without the concussion or muzzle flash of W296.

 

[Dudedog]

H110/W296 really is only good for one thing, Full power loads, but it does those well in .357
I think you will like it for what your after.

 

[Load Master]

H110/W296 really is only good for one thing, Full power loads, but it does those well in .357
I think you will like it for what your after.

Yeah, I figured this to be the case based on the data that Hodgdon has on there website. Their suggested start for Win 296 and the 240 gr bullet is 23 gr and the maximum is 24 gr. One grain difference.

 

[Slamfire]

I found 2400 flexible for a magnum powder. I could run 22 grains with a 240 JHP or LWSC or cut it to 17.5 grs and still have a powerful load. H110 and W296 are the same powder, the differences you see in loading manuals are due to lot differences. If you want maximum velocity, H110/W296 is the way to go. H110 will provide accurate and powerful loads, but you cannot cut your loads. With this powder it is magnum loads or nothing.



S&W M629-4 5" Barrel


250 LSWC 22.0 grs 2400 Midway cases, Fed primers
1-Oct-95 T = 75 °F

Ave Vel = 1336
Std Dev = 39
ES = 108
Low = 1286
High = 1394
N = 6


240JHP R-P 24.0 grs H110 Midway cases WLP
9-Oct-05 T = 66 °F

Ave Vel =1228
Std Dev =21.47
ES =70.16
Low =1268
High =1197
N=22



Ruger Super Blackhawk Stainless Steel 7.5" Barrel

240 MagTech JSP 24.0 grs W296 (80's) Midway cases WLP(brass)
19-Jun-11 T = 91 °F

Ave Vel = 1351
Std Dev = 18
ES = 63
Low = 1309
High = 1372
N = 10

accurate



240 Speer JSP 22.0 grs 2400 Lot 457 Midway cases WLP(brass)
19-Jun-11 T = 91 °F

Ave Vel = 1245
Std Dev = 17
ES = 57
Low = 1224
High = 1281
N = 10

accurate