Always used W296, H110, 2400, or occasionally blue dot. I've been using LilGun in my 44x1.6" and 44x1.8" and am going to try it in my 44mag's.
Printable View
Always used W296, H110, 2400, or occasionally blue dot. I've been using LilGun in my 44x1.6" and 44x1.8" and am going to try it in my 44mag's.
Yeah, I tried one of those and felt the same way. Fired the first round double action because I figured I wouldn't be able to (or want to) on the second round. Still felt it the next day.
Back on topic, I wanted a Contender back in the '70s but it wasn't in the budget. Finally got one about a year after the first Obama election with a .44 Magnum Super 14 barrel. I had a partial can of 296 and most of 2 four pound cans of 2400 so saw no sense developing a load with 296 because it was hard to find. I cast about 125 boolits with the 250grain RCBS Keith Type SWC mold from linotype. I had never used straight lino so it was also an experiment using lino. I ran a ladder test with 2400 and loaded the rest of those lino boolits with the best load. The 14" barrel develops a lot more velocity than Lyman's tests in a Super Blackhawk so the recoil is pretty substantial. Book says 1350 fps for the revolver, chrono says 1600. The trigger guard tang hits the back of my weak hand index finger pretty hard and that gets pretty distracting after about 5 shots. I need to develop another load that is more pleasant. Even at that pressure 2400 still leaves residue in the barrel but it doesn't seem to cause any problems since it's a single shot.
I loaded up some .44 Special for it as well when I first got it using 231 and the same lino boolits; very mild to shoot. A benefit of the 231 loads is that after shooting 2400 on round of the 231 load leaves the barrel clean.
win231/HP38 works great for accurate mild loads
UNIQUE for warm
w296/H110 for max loads ( be sure to use magnum primers, and a FIRM ROLL CRIMP )
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psphnjv3eg.jpg
for full power aa9/wc820 for anything reduced but still snorty 2400
Herco is my go to for most things .44 mag next H-110/296
2400 has been my go-to powder for .44 Magnum for as long as I've been shooting and reloading for it. I have tried H110, and while I have had some successes, it has not been as accurate overall for me as 2400. H110 usually DOES give the highest velocities. However, it also generates the most muzzle flash and TO ME a much sharper recoil. Even with loads that are probably in +P territory 2400 has never caused a gun to rap my knuckles, but H110 has done it many times. It's the main reason I don't use it for much besides full house hunting loads.
This is simply MY observation and experience.
296 for full house loads, 231 for light loads. Been that way since I can remember.
296, 2400 and blue dot here.
For full power I used 110 and it's pretty good with 240 and 265 gr. For reduced loads using a 44 spec case I never found better than Herco with a 240. I tried several other powders (blue dot, hs6, 4227 unique one of the SRs and probably others) but never found a really good load and never found a good load for the lighter 180 and 200 gr jacketed bullets either.. Actually I had 3 44 mags, 2 Ruger super blackhawks and one Smith 29. One of those Super Blackhawks was a real sweetie, a real tack driver... The other SB and the Smith were so so at best and the 29 was a real PITA, came un timed twice before I got rid of the damn thing
I was at the range over the weekend and noticed something. My 231 loads in 38 special shot from a 3" Model 36 sb, (H&G #51, 4.0 gr 231, magma lube) would really warm up the gun after a couple of fast rounds. Shoot 5, reload, shoot 5, reload, etc. Pretty toasty after a few rapid fire rounds.
The 357's (H&G #51 gas check, 13.4 gr. 296, magma lube) shot from a 6" Model 28 was cool as a cucumber after the same fast rounds of shooting.
I guess 296 burns much cooler, no?
Just an observation.
Recently I've settled on Unique for my .44 magnums but, have used both Alliant and Hercules 2400, Winchester 296, Hodgdon 110 amoung others.
Steve
I am surprised 2400 is beating w296/H110 in this poll.
I've been using H110 since the 1980's, and nver tried 2400
....Hmmm.
24 grs WW 296
Hmmm I guess 700X not to popular I use it for my lighter loads and my 44 special loads.
For hunting loads I stay with 2400
296 for full power loads .
I have found 296 to be more versatile than the 2400 so to save shelf space I just quit buying 2400.
231 or unique for medium and plinking. I never could tell a difference between unique and 231.
HERCO.
Compared to 2400 I give up 100 fps, half the recoil, 2/3 the muzzle blast.
This results in significantly better accuracy for me.
I wonder how much LIQUID NITRO GLYCERIN I could get in a 44Mag case under my 312gr Lee bullets? :kidding::kidding::kidding:
Michael Grace
I used 2400 and Blue dot, Mostly 2400. When I could no longer buy it I switched to Ramshot Enforcer and never looked back. With a 255 Lyman SWC I get excellent accuracy and great velocity. The 255 SWC is all I use in my .44's and Enforcer works perfect for me.
Got to go with H110.