44 mag powder, about to run out of H110... 300-MP, Enforcer, or something else?

[ValorsMinion]

So I am about to run out of H110 which is my favorite powder for full house 44 mag loads. I also have used 2400 and have 1.5lbs left I prefer H110 in the 44 mag and want to save the 2400 for my 357 mag.

I have several 629's with 4, 5, 6, and 8 inch barrels. My favorite is the 5" classic. I also shoot a 16" R92 in 44 mag. I shoot lead boolits ranging from 240gr to 310gr. I shoot 240gr lee swc gc, 310gr lee, and the lyman 429640 @265gr. I just picked up a Mihec clone of the lyman 429640 in plain base as well but have not cast any yet.

It looks like 2400 and H110/296 are nowhere to be found either online or locally. I paid $65 with tax for two lbs of h110 locally about a month ago (ouch) and have not seen any since. Powders that I've been able to find available online that seem suitable for the 44 mag are 300-mp, enforcer, Accurate #9, blue dot, and 800x. Or maybe I am missing something that is available and suitable?

I am leaning towards 300-mp and enforcer for full house 44 mag loads for hunting with the 429640 and Mihec clone. I shoot a fair amount of full house 44 mag. I would rather buy a keg of just one powder and stick with it instead of buying a lb of several. I dont want to find out I like one of them and be in the same situation with no availability.

Top velocity and accuracy in 44 mag, especially in my 5" and 6" 629 is the most important thing for me. If it does well in 357 mag or the longer barreled 44's thats an added bonus.

So which one do yall suggest I go with?

[jmort]

300 MP looks like a winner.

[GabbyM]

I always liked AA#9 as well as WW296/H110. You can reduce the #9 a bit and it still works.

[dougader]

I've been wondering about 300MP myself. Brian Pearce ran some loads in 44 mag and 45 Colt several months ago and it looked like a winner to me as well.

It looks to be about a grain slower than H110/W296 in 44 mag with the 240 grain XTP, but for whatever reason gets about 1/2 grain less with the 300 grain xtp. This is what the Hornady 9th manual shows. Not much data out there yet.

In 357 mag it gets 100 - 150 fps more than H110/W296 with about the same amount of powder. Hornady uses an 8" Python for their testing in 357 mag.

I wouldn't buy a keg of anything without trying a pound... but in the marketplace today you have to use what you can find. As you say that you shoot a lot of fullhouse rounds, this is what I would get if it's available to you. It looks like it will be closer to H110/W296 than any of the other powders commonly used for magnum loads, i.e, 2400, AA9, Enforcer, and 4100.

I hate to see people running out of powder. If we could ship it like we can loaded ammunition, we could help each other out. If you're anywhere near Yamhill county, Oregon, let me know.

[ValorsMinion]

I found some 296 in stock at Recob's as well as WLP's. [smilie=w:

I will probably pick up a lb of 300mp some time in the future to check it out. Its cheaper than h110/296 so even if its only about equal in performance you would still come out ahead.

[Bucking the Tiger]

With no #2400 to be found around here, I gave Enforcer a try and love it. You have a little bit of a window to load it down or up, it meters well, burns clean,not too nosy( I do like the boom...)and the recoil is smooth. this is coming from someone who has burned a few 4 pound cans of #2400.
I have liked it in the .357 Magnum also. It does a good job with a Lyman 358429.
The burn rate is just a pinch slower than #2400.

[hound_dogs_01]

AA #9 or WW296. 2400 will also be good.

[RobS]

A vote for Enforcer/AA4100 (same powder). I still prefer H110/Win296 for the top end loads though but don't shoot them all that much. 300MP I would use only if there wasn't any H110/Win296 as it does take more powder in the larger cases to match H110.

[454PB]

If you can find any, Lil'Gun works great in all the magnums.

[Blammer]

I would recommend Unique.

[singleshot]

4227 if you can find it, otherwise IMR800x works great! Not as much V, but more economical.

[singleshot]

AA9 is good also, and will give more V than 800x...but my 800x loads are very accurate. (Pun intended.)

[Cosmiceyes]

Ramshot COMPETITION is an extremely clean burning powder for 12 gauge target shooters. A double-base modified (flattened) spherical propellant, It is designed for the 12 gauge competitive clay target shooter who demands a clean burning powder with low recoil and consistent performance. It is a low bulk density powder that is also well suited for many low pressure, low velocity Cowboy Action loads. $17.49 - $72.99 Available Midway! One review was how well liked in a .45 ACP. Other than that in know nothing!

[turmech]

I did not like the 300-MP very much. I admit I did not fool with it much. It burnt dirty and was not all that accurate in the loads I tried in my 44 mag. I had other choices on hand and put it on the shelf and have not touched it since. I may some day try some in 357 and see if I can get better results.

[longbow]

Here's another vote for IMR4227. It is pretty much my favourite powder for multi use under cast Boolits in .303, .308 and .44 mag. Unique is also useful in the same cartridges but at lower velocities.

Longbow

[Iowa Fox]

I would recommend Unique.

I'll second Blammers recommendation.

[454PB]

Top velocity and accuracy in 44 mag, especially in my 5" and 6" 629 is the most important thing for me. If it does well in 357 mag or the longer barreled 44's thats an added bonus.

So which one do yall suggest I go with?

You may get the accuracy with Unique, but you won't get top velocity.

[Changeling]

Hold out for the 296! Put out feelers, call and talk to the diferent suppliers and see when they estimate delivery time. From the way you sound you won't be happy with anything else.

[singleshot]

Here's another vote for IMR4227. It is pretty much my favourite powder for multi use under cast Boolits in .303, .308 and .44 mag. Unique is also useful in the same cartridges but at lower velocities.

Longbow

Yep, I use it in everything I own, top velocities in 44 mag and 35 rem.

[Double B]

Another vote for 4227. I use it in 44 mag and 357 mag as well as max. Good accuracy and power.

[Sven]

I was going to suggest WC820 or WC 297, but I see neither Pat's nor Bartlett's have either one. Both have a burn rate similar to H-110/296. Other than AA#9 or 4227, Longshot might be another powder worth trying. Works fantastic in 10mm. Then there's Blue Dot. 800X does work, but I can't get it to meter through a Dillon or a Lyman measure. I was given a pound of 800X, but that will end up measured and weighed out the old fasioned way -- one at a time.

[RobS]

Western Powders who makes powder for Accurate and Ramshot has a nice online reloading data source:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_7-2-13.pdf

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Thanks for posting info...RobS

[1Shirt]

Elmer went with 2400, and so would I.
1Shirt!

[helice]

I feel fortunate to still have a good bit of H110 left but when I run out I don't think I will buy another keg. The use of cast in my rifles has me looking for a more "useable" powder than H110/W296. As stated above, A-2400 seems the logical choice. I just want something that works in more than my magnum pistols and 30 Carbine.

[GH1]

I'm going to cast my vote for AA#9. It works like a charm in my .357.
GH1:smile:

[lonewelder]

:bigsmyl2:
I would recommend Unique.

[Mal Paso]

Elmer went with 2400, and so would I.
1Shirt!

Yep! hard to beat in 4-6 inch revolvers (mid weight boolits).

IMO 296 needs a longer barrel to reach it's peak and 300 MP is slower yet.