W296 in the Henry Big Boy

[ChristopherO]

Helping my very good friend line out is new fun gun in 44 magnum. 11 grains of W231 wasn't bad but not optimum, so far. Checking out the manuals and decided to give the old W296 on the shelf with CCI 350 Mag primers a go. Oh man, he was putting them in there at 50 and 100 yards much better than before. It is a top end load but the manuals show that this is what Winchester required of this powder. No reduced loads were recommended or even listed. He's a happy camper with his rifle, now.

I referenced the old Lyman Pistol and Black Powder Pistol manual given to me over 25 years ago. Also double checked it with an old Winchester powder and loading manual. But my powder is nigh of this old, too. Haven't used too much Win powder over the years but it meters wonderfully.

[Mica_Hiebert]

reduced loads with w296/h110 are dangerous! stick to published starting load data, if using cast you can hot rod your loads a little if using jacketed data with cast bullets.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

if you can find some 2400 give that a try works well in my 1894 44 magnum

[ChristopherO]

Its not a reduced load. That is why I mentioned no reduced loads were listed. This is a published load straight from Winchester. Thanks for the concern, though. This is noted as a factory velocity equivalent loading. Only about 1180fps +/- out of a handgun. Sure it is quicker out of his Henry 20" barrel, though.

LUCKYDAWG13, I've used Hercules 2400 many years ago for a S&W 629. With the recommended load out of the manual it should have been around 1250. I am careful to weigh my charges diligently. It chronographed at 1500fps+. That was so hot it made my cylinder skip. I gave them to a friend with a Ruger BH. He shot a few and took them apart. Too much recoil for him, too. That episode scared me off 2400 for the 44 mag a long time ago.

This experience with W296 was a pleasant surprise. Will have to try it out of a revolver, too.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

296 / H110 are both very good powders for full house loads or close to it sounds like you found a good load for his Rifle