44 Mag powders, poll

I started with 2400 and still it continues. I might have to check some of the others suggested powders out over time.

Up to 1100 f/s, Unique. Beyond that, Alliant 2400. Herco doesn't suck, for 1250 f/s loads, either.

I voted early in the poll but failed to make a reply. I shoot mostly Unique and 2400. Unique for target/plinking loads and 2400 for hunting loads. Both with a 245 grain Keith type SWC from a RCBS mold. I have a new to me H&G mold and bullets cast up and waiting, but I'm trying to shoot the last of the RCBS bullets before readjusting my dies.

Butting in but, my 44 shoots .452" bullets, I find that H110/296 is tops in velocity and accuracy is second to none. Recoil and blast are second to none. I find the loads have to stay in the upper end to function well, and I did have one squib in cold weather with a 270gr bullet 1/2 way down the barrel which was stuffed with some weird mess of toasted powder. I find that VV N110( why the same #s?) is not finicky, will work in less than incendiary level loads, burns clean and has excellent accuracy. Pricey but I can only shoot so much in a year. Havent chronographed the N110 loads but VV claims very respectable velocity.

i cast 2 different 44 boolits, both cast at 265 grain, 2400, VV N110 & N340 are the powders i use the most... i find 2400 clean burning under properly sized and heavily crimped boolits... little to no unburned powder... not looking for the fastest speeds, but best accuracy, my 2400 load does 1150 from a 7.5" RSBH and a bit over 1600 from a 22" old marlin '94... for more speed i use the vit n110 and for one hole groups N340 is as good as i have come across... still i have lots of H110 and do load some hot ones from time to time but do not need more power than the 2400 load provides, it wacks things plenty hard...

So far, I like 10 grains of Unique in my 4.2" Redhawk. Very comfortable but authoritative...

2400 for me. Have tried H110. Got a little more speed with it but accuracy was not there.
Steve

Unique first then 2400

I've got a couple loads for my 240 gn gc boolits that I cast:
1) 23.5 gn 296
2) 20 gn 2400

These two loads work well in both my ruger redhawk (7.5" barrel) and my Henry lever gun. They are both stout loads, but they are accurate.

I did a fun test this weekend with 296 in my henry and my "work up" was the following:

Primer was WLP:
8 rounds 23 gn 296
8 rounds 23.5 gn 296
8 rounds 24 gn 296
8 rounds 24.5 gn 296

Turns out, 23.5 gave me a nice tight group, 23.0 was next and then 24.5 was pretty wild. These were all bench rest shots and there isn't a lot of recoil from even the 24.5 gn rounds... I shot two of each through my redhawk as well and the 23.5 was really the best load...

I shot the barrel out of my super Blackhawk using 20grs. of 2400. (I think about 10000 rnds) After the rebarrel, I went to AA#9 and have not looked back. For heavier boolits, I like W296. For plinkers, I like 8 grs. of 800x behind a cast SWC. Most of my jacketed shooting was 240s. Have shot a fair amount of 300s too. I prefer the 4227s for those...

2400-2400-2400-2400:-)

296/H110 was all I ever loaded in my 44 mags. But after reading this thread I'll have to buy some 2400 and give it as try.

Which powder is the most accurate for me is pretty much a moot point as my old Ruger Blackhawk with a 7.5" barrel seems to shoot everything I stick in it better than my accuracy requirements & I rarely load full power loads. I am not a target shooter. Hodgdon's Data Manual #21 lists 23.0 grs. of H110 with a 250 gr. gas check bullet at 1602 fps. Given a rest, I can bust oil cans at 100 yds. with that load or a little reduced charge of the same.

For my three .44 magnums, I have had used both A2400 and H110, but -- I came across a deal on Power Pistol, and albeit my .44s are all S A Revolvers, Power Pistol seems to burn cleaner and affords a tad better accuracy. So, my .44 Special/ .44 Rem Mag powder of choice has become Power Pistol.
geo

WC820 works real good!

Put me in the 2400 crowd for full power 44 mag loads. Never had a squib load with 2400 either. T

For full power in my SRH with either 429421 cast or an LBT 260WFN I voted, and usually use H110/W296. I still have quite a bit of Hercules 2400 on hand and that works almost as well, maybe not as clean.

My 4" 629 Mountain revolver gets 800X behind the 429421.

The SRH with a 2X Leupold on top dotes on Max. loads. The little S&W, well it doesn't, not at all. Much more pleasant with medium loads.

i used to use a heavy charge of h110 but as i got older i now use unique.

i also use 2400, titegroup and hs-6 but not quite as much as unique.

I voted "other" because of the versatility of the 44mag.

For full power loads it's W-296/H-110.

For mild loads it's Unique.

BTW: This goes for .357, 41, and 500 mag as well. Although I do use Lil-gun in the 500 with a cast 440gr.

Motor

W-296 / H110 for full power loads. Have not tried 2400 because of availability in this area.

hotbrew