44 mag 280gr h110 load help.

[Flailguy]

Gun: Ruger Std Redhawk 7.5"
Boolit: Accurate 43-280F (powder coated, water dropped coww)
Primer Winchester LPP
O.A.L.:1.615"

So far I have tried 18 and 18.5 grains of H110
I figured this would be a very low end starting point based on data for a similar boolit in my lyman book. Cast bullet #4
226883
18gr gave: average 1,240 fps
18.5gr gave: average 1,220 fps with a much higher extreme spread. (Seems odd)

Primers were fairly fattened similar to factory loads, empty cases didn't fall out but weren't stuck by any means.
My velocity seems high for the charge weight but I expect that is due to the longer barrel.

My question is where should I go from here? I know you're not supposed to download H110 so I feel like I'm stuck.
226896

[ShooterAZ]

To be honest, those velocities aren't really all that high to me...I use a few more grains than that with the LEE 310 in the 44 Mag in a Super Blackhawk. I'm NOT telling you to push it any faster... but personally, I would carefully work it up just a tad more.

[Flailguy]

What is your oal with the lee 310?

[Larry Gibson]

I use 23 gr H110 under my 275 gr Devastator although with WLP primers. They run 1360 fps out of my 6 1/2" Ruger FTBH. I also have pressure tested (Oehler M43) that load and the psi is under the SAAMI MAP for the 44 Magnum. At 24 gr it is just at the SAAMI MAP. Accuracy is excellent out of my Ruger.

[725]

Only related, but with a jacketed 275 grain bullet, I use 20.5 grains of H-110. FYI, it's wonderful. No idea about FPS with the load.

[Flailguy]

I think I might increase the charge slightly. My only concern is slightly shorter oal than with most other boolits

[Flailguy]

@ Larry and 725. What are your oals?

[ShooterAZ]

Here's some more load info I searched that might be helpful for you. I wouldn't be too concerned about the OAL as long as you work up your loads. I use 21.5 of 296/H110, F150 primer, and seat to the lower groove in the 310. I tried it both ways long and short, and I really didn't notice any difference. It's a stout load, but not over-pressure.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?115228-Moderately-heavy-S-amp-W-load-for-310-gr-44-mag

[Flailguy]

Thanks AZ.
Considering my primers are fairly flattened already what should I watch for other than sticky extraction?

[44Blam]

Gun: Ruger Std Redhawk 7.5"
Boolit: Accurate 43-280F
Primer Winchester LPP
O.A.L.:1.615"

So far I have tried 18 and 18.5 grains of H110
I figured this would be a very low end starting point based on data for a similar boolit in my lyman book. Cast bullet #4
226883
18gr gave: average 1,240 fps
18.5gr gave: average 1,220 fps with a much higher extreme spread.

Primers were fairly fattened similar to factory loads, empty cases didn't fall out but weren't stuck by any means.
My velocity seems high for the charge weight but I expect that is due to the longer barrel.

My question is where should I go from here? I know you're not supposed to download H110 so I feel like I'm stuck.

According to Hodgdon, 18.5 is a starting load and 20.5 is pretty much your max. I would go up slowly from 18.5, I found that there was a sweet spot where I got good accuracy (with 296 - similar or same as H110) and then after that it went to hell quickly.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Also, be a little wary about lighter charges, there are legends about SEE's blowing up guns. :-o

[waco]

H110/296 does NOT like air space. Fill case with powder to the bottom of the boolit. A bit compressed is not a bad thing.

[Flailguy]

I have right about 22.5 gr of case capacity with this boolit.
Use this as my absolute max?(working up of coarse)?

[Tripplebeards]

I've ran up to 23.8 gr of h110 and w296 with my devastators out of my 77/44 and andaconda. Depending on what alloy its up to 263 to 275 gr PC and GC. My most accurate loads came from 21gr with softer 7.5 BH alloy(.8" 100 yard group) and 21.2 of lil gun with 15.4 BH(.6" 100 yard group). I had a few stick in my 77/44 at 23.8 gr of h110 but found out I had a scale on the blink. The max load I was getting 1.24"-1.3" groups but I mixed a new batch if alloy and must of missed something in my my since the group opened from 1.8-2.2" with three tests. No stuck cases after the new scale was put into play. I had accurate loads all the way from 21 gr to 23.8 gr of h110. I know my boolits are a little heavier so I'd tell you to work up in .2 gr increments from where you stopped untill you see signs if pressure. I would think you'd be approx grain less give or take with your max load. You'll probably find an accurate load before you work all the way up the ladder and see any pressure signs anyways. You can chech out my boolit testing and load development on my home page. Just be safe and use common sense when working up a load. Safe and happy shooting!


Oh, my aol is 1.640" and I use a Lee factory crimp collet die. The crimp pulls the casing down into the crimp groove with a little overlap on top. Makes a nice even, heavy crimp. I also use federal magum pistol gold metal match primers. It going to depend how far you seat you boolits in or out for case capacity. At 1.640" it was longest I could go or the boolit wouldn't feed or function.


I loaded the Lee 310's to the bottom groove but never really load tested them. I don't remember what I loads I tried but I used h110 and worked it up and down. Don't quote me but I almost think I went up to 22,22., or 22.5gr Of h110?...I know I shortened my case capacity with seating it further in.

Here are my devastators loaded at 1.640" using a Lee factory crimp collet die. It saves cutting the cases shorter to line up with the crimp groove. I believe it makes for a more accurate load IMO since it looks like a more even crimp compaired to a roll style.

http://i.imgur.com/8bQrent.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QKLHarW.jpg

[Flailguy]

Should I expect more recoil than factory 240gr jacketed ammo?

[Flailguy]

Those are some beautiful boolits tripplebeards!

[Flailguy]

Thank you all for your info.
I will post results next time I get to go out. It might be a while (my youngest daughter is 3 weeks old) please keep the ideas and info coming.

[44Blam]

Should I expect more recoil than factory 240gr jacketed ammo?

LOL! Hell YES!
I load trailboss, unique, A2100 and W296.

I also had some factory rounds.

The trailboss loads were like a 22lr. The factory loads and 9grn of Unique are about the same.
Then you enter the magnum loads...
W296 and H110 are basically the same. You have to load them full so it is what I call "boomer" loads.
A2100, you can load to the same level as H110 or you can download it to more of a Unique load...

Anyway, factory vs H110 - it's gonna be bang vs BOOM.

[Flailguy]

Thanks 44blam, recoil felt slightly less with the load I tried.

[725]

Flailguy,

With a jacketed bullet - that 275 gr'er I mentioned, I load to the canular (Spelling??) which measures out to 1.590". Judging the body of the bullet and the available empty case above the powder line, I'd say it's touching or just slightly compressing. It's a cracker-jack. :) I don't normally load such a heavy bullet for the .44 mag. It's not really needed back here in the east. Later this year, however, I'm headed to Montana for elk and I want some grizz medicine should the unfortunate encounter occur. The rest of the time I usually load cast over a lighter charge.

[Grmps]

300gr LTC 21.5 gr H110 1,300 fps 1.71" WLP guest

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44%20Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Source=

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[gundownunder]

H110/296 does NOT like air space. Fill case with powder to the bottom of the boolit. A bit compressed is not a bad thing.
I recently emailed Winchester because I have a 357 Marlin and with a 180 grain cast bullet I hit their max load of 13.7 with heaps of space left over. Having heard the same thing as WACO about space I asked whether I should stick with published data or take the load up to about 15.5 - 16 grains to fill the space. Winchester tech department told me to stay within published limits.

[OFFSHORE]

H110/296 does NOT like air space. Fill case with powder to the bottom of the boolit. A bit compressed is not a bad thing.

This is very true of H110 as WACO stated. The increase you saw in ES/SD was due to not having a full case. You may also want to switch over to a magnum primer with H110, especially in the colder months with a lesser than max charge to prevent squibs. I shoot a lot of .44 Mag, 445 Super Mag and 45 LC with mostly heavy for caliber bullets - 270gr. to 335gr. and H110 is not your friend! It has some great velocity numbers, but acts like a cranky old woman! If you're wanting a more moderate load look at 2400 or IMR 4227 for your middle weight boolits and as of late I've been playing with Accurate No. 11FS and have really come to like it. No. 11FS has a burn rate comparable to 296, but it isn't snappy and produce very good numbers for me over the chronograph, ES/SD very low and clean burning too. IMR 4227 is a sweet powder, but tends to be a little dirty. I'll take the dirty though for the accuracy I get. Stepping up into the 300gr. plus boolits I have been getting great accuracy and single digit ES/SD number with superb velocity with VV N-120 and 315gr. boolits . . .1 1/2" 5-shot groups at 100 yds. with scoped T/C Encore. You can make H110 shoot, but there are far better powders out there. . .but, that is just my $.02. Good luck.

[Flailguy]

Winchester claims standard or magnum loads with their lpp's do you think I would be better off using a different brand primer?

[44Blam]

Thanks 44blam, recoil felt slightly less with the load I tried.

Ha! First time I shot W296 (similar to H110) I thought I got the load wrong. I fired one round at the indoor range and saw the fireball and was like, "Oh ****, I think I almost blew up my gun!" I stopped went home and looked. Nope - that was the load. I went back a couple days later and shot about 50 before it wore a hole in my hand...

Now I LOVE the full house rounds. It feels SOOOO good.