Todays limited powder choices. 44 magnum.

[Madman O Anderson]

Hello everyone!

Newbie to the forum. Have been lurking for a while trying to learn.

I finally started to try reloading April last year. I know, worst time ever to start, what with the hoarders and all.

So far I have been able to buy 3 lbs of Green Dot, 1 lb of H110 and 1 lb of Accurate #2.

I have recently done my first reloads in 44 mag (Ruger SBH) using the Lee 240 SWC starting at 6.0 gr and then increased to 7.0 gr just like it said in the manual (Sierra) and I am very happy.

I want to inch my way up to the full power 44 mag loads with the H110 with the NOE 434-319 boolit. The Green Dot is supposed to be max 8.7 gr under the 240 gr pill according to an older manual, can't remember which. And you're not supposed to reduce the H110.

Of the 3 powders Green Dot, Accurate #2 and H110, how do I inch my way up to full power with the 319 gr boolit? Cause I am sure I'm not ready for that.

Thanks much,
Madman O Anderson

[Markopolo]

welcome to the forum!!!!!!

H110 is your ticket, but that is a big bullet for the 44.. not saying it wont work... just saying you may find that the 240 grain range for bullet is a good choice and it is what the 44mag was designed for.. h110 does not like reduced loads at all... but thrives on full house loads. i would suggest you find load data for that big bullet and stick to it. Some powders do better then others, and h110 will be your huckleberry.

Marko

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I would stick with your 240 grain boolits. If you powder coat them you should be able to use that 110 powder. I have used WW 296 with powder coated boolits in my SBH and got 1500 fps without leading. COWW with some tin.

[onelight]

Welcome to the forum .
What gun are you going to shoot them in ?

[Thumbcocker]

240 grn and h110 will do fine. I doubt any critter we be able to tell the difference between 240 and 310 grains.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[MostlyLeverGuns]

For pleasant entertainment, the Green Dot or Accurate #2 and a 240 grain bullet will be very accurate and should work just fine. H110 and 300+ grain bullets are fine for long range (100 yards plus?) or shooting bigger stuff but recoil and muzzle blast become unpleasant, the 240 will work fine on deer, hogs.

[Tatume]

In my experience H110 does not work well with 240 gr cast bullets.

On the other hand, that 320 gr cast bullet should work very well with H110. The higher inertia of the heavy bullet causes pressure to rise, and helps H110 burn well.

Take a look at Hodgdon reloading data online. https://hodgdon.com/

[Bazoo]

Howdy and welcome to the forum.

The way I approach magnum loads with an unknown bullet, is to find a similar bullet weight with data available that has the same amount of used case volume. I other works, the same amount of bullet in the case. Their is data for the lee 430-310-rf in the Lyman 4th edition cast bullet handbook. That might work for you. I don't have that bullet to measure on your behalf though.

All of those powders are useful in 44 magnum. I shoot special level loads in magnum cases, and in between loads, and occasionally...magnum loads.

I suggest getting the loadbooksusa one book one caliber manuals for both 44 special and magnum. Very useful in determining loads and comparing powders.

[DougGuy]

A 300+ gr boolit won't be very accurate at target velocities for one, b/c the heavies require a good bit of spin to stabilize them in flight. Therefore, the starting load of H110 under that 300+ gr boolit is the lowest step of the ladder you should attempt.

Get some of that 1" wide stretchy bandage stuff and take a wrap around your middle knuckle, middle finger, to keep the trigger guard from beating it up and go shoot that bad boy!

[lar45]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
There is lots of good advice in the posts above.
One thing I would add is to use a magnum primer with your H110.
The Ruger SBH in 44mag is a great place to start. It's plenty accurate and is very durable. As long as you don't exceed max loads, it should work very well for you. Please don't try to hotrod your loads with the fast powders.
Try some H110 with your 320 grain bullets and let us know how it goes.

[P Flados]

For working up a stout but not full power load for the 319, Green Dot is not bad and you have a good bit of the stuff. One of the best sources of Green Dot data is an older Alliant data guide with pressure in psi. One of the better years is at:

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Alliant_2003.pdf

The challenge with using the above data is figuring out seating depth. Deeper means more pressure. Seating longer than the listed OAL helps reduce this concern. Alternately, dropping back to say 10% below max is a good idea. Also your bullet will probably be just a bit over 310 depending on alloy.

After shooting a 320 at near max for Green Dot, you may choose to not bother with a full H110 load under the same bullet. A 320 does not need to be supersonic to do what needs to be done.

The Lee 240 is probably the better choice for working up a full power H110 load. I did some full power H110 loads with powder coated Lee 225 SWCs and they worked fine.

[P Flados]

In my previous post, I talked about seating depth but was vague given that I was looking at an Alliant load for an unspecified 310 gr cast SWC.

Then I noted that there was also a load for a common 300 gr bullet. I went back and used the Alliant load for the Hornady 300 XTP as the starting point for finding a Green Dot load for a 320 gr cast bullet using Quickload.

Based on my Quickload evaluation, the following Green Dot loads with a 320 gr cast bullet should not be higher in pressure than the Alliant load for the Hornady 300 gr XTP.

A load with 7.2 gr and a seating depth of 0.455"
A load with 7.1 gr and a seating depth of 0.473"
A load with 7.0 gr and a seating depth of 0.485"

[DougGuy]

A 320 does not need to be supersonic to do what needs to be done.

Yes but if you don't drive it hard enough to stabilize, it may group poorly. I said earlier they need spin, and you have to drive it hard enough to achieve enough spin to stabilize it in flight. You can try shooting it slow but if it doesn't group, stand on it a little harder and you will see what I mean.


The Lee 240 is probably the better choice for working up a full power H110 load. I did some full power H110 loads with powder coated Lee 225 SWCs and they worked fine.

I disagree. Faster powders like 2400, AA#9 are much better matched to the 240 than is H110. H110 WANTS a heavy boolit, a stout crimp, and a high load density to bring out it's best. Lighter boolits don't hold the pressure curve like heavies do, and H110 needs this for efficient combustion and good consistent velocities.

Also I would NOT try to make magnum power with AA#2 or Green Dot. Both of these are considerably faster than Unique, and of the powders you listed, I would not use them under the 320 either. You will make some decent loads with both of these and the 240, but you will run out of pressure before you reach max velocity.

Alliant lists one load for Green Dot and the 240, 7.0gr for a velocity of 901fps. This is decent, but not a magnum load by any means, and this load echoes my sentiment about the fast burning powder under a heavy boolit.

Accurate doesn't list ANY 44 magnum loads for AA#2 powder. This usually means it is not recommended for this caliber, or it is unsafe.

Yes there are load manuals that use both these in 44 magnum, doesn't mean they're the best choice of powder, and if the powder manufacturer doesn't list data for a certain caliber or boolit, they don't intend for it to be used in that caliber with that boolit.

[P Flados]

I am sure DougGuy is correct about the 320 stability concerns at lower speeds. My discussion of using Green Dot was more about how to load some midrange loads just to assess how the shooter felt about the recoil of the gun with the heavy bullets.

I will also admit to limited experience with H110 and the 44 mag. However reasonable ammo performance was obtained with this powder, a 225 gr powder coated bullet and a heavy crimp. The Ruger 44 that I was loading for belongs to a shooting buddy and it has grips that did not fit my hand well. Although the round performed ok, the grips and recoil combined to make the round "no fun at all" for both of us. We both agreed that a stout mid range load was enough for how the gun was being used (pretty much just making holes in paper). He has probably a half a box of factory 240 JHPs left, but I am not sure they will ever get fired.

The discomfort level for us with that gun would have most certainly have been worse if we had been shooting a 320 gr with a full charge of H110.

Again, of the powders he listed as having and given the "limited powder choices" tone from the post title, I was thinking it would be worth trying out full power loads with the 240 gr and H110 (and a heavy crimp is a good idea). If he shoots the gun with H110 under the 240 gr and likes having full power 240 gr loads, keeping an eye out for 2400 or AA 9 (or the nearly identical Shooters World Heavy Pistol) is a very good recommendation.

I mentioned Heavy Pistol as I bought a good bit of it a little over a year ago and it does seem to work better than H110 for a lot of my applications (for just the reasons noted by DougGuy).

[Three44s]

You can not putz around with H110, it must not be backed down below what the manuals list.

You can not rev your fast powders up above the manual listings.

You must get to medium powders or wait until you can source them before bridging the gap in your powder inventory.

Forget about that 300+ gr slug for now. Work with the 240. Use your fast powders for starters only.

Then, Go for Unique, HS6 and 2400 and work with them in that order with a 240.

The Unique is best around 8.5 to 9.0 gr in magnum cases (240 to 265 lead)

The HS 6 at 11 to 12 gr same lead

The 2400 from 17 to 21 same lead

If you dive in with the powders you have (okay for starters) but then leap to H110 with any weight bullet common in the 44 Mag you will develop a flinch you will go through hadies to get rid of without working your way up methodically.

Three44s

[Tatume]

A max load of 2400 and a 240 cast bullet is an excellent combination. Recoil is stout, but not too stout. I've gotten excellent accuracy, and the load is a good hunting load.

[Shuz]

My favorite Green Dot load for the. 44 mag is 8.6g behind a 429421hp that weighs 235g. OAL is 1.700 and primer is Rem 2-1/2.
Ive shot many nice groups at 25 yards with this load and it's velocity is around 1000 to 1100 fps depending on bbl length and particular revolver shot in.

[Madman O Anderson]

I just spent a half hour typing a reply, hit post and it disappeared. Had all the math and research I have done in it.
Just gone. I'm going to bed.

[Alstep]

I’m favoring green dot as well. 7.1 grains (RCBS rotor #16) and the 429421 bullet. My 421 weighs 255 grains. 1.675 OAL. Nice medium load that’s accurate too.

[Madman O Anderson]

OK. I have a plan. Sorta.

There aren't any recipes for Accurate #2, so we'll drop that.

Here's what I have so far.


240 gr SWC PB - 7.0 gr GDot = 901fps -> 423ft/lbs An easy and accurate load. Good self defense level.
240 gr SWC PB - 8.7 gr GDot = 1180fps -> 742ft/lbs Max pressure load with GDot @35,000psi. Kinda the minimum for hunting smaller deer.
240 gr SWC PB - 23.0 gr H110 = 1431fps -> 1091ft/lbs Min load with H110 *Do Not Reduce* Decent hunting round out to 50 yds or so.
240 gr SWC PB - 24.0 gr H110 = 1522fps -> 1234ft/lbs Good hunting round if the boolit were shaped better.
325 gr JFP - 20.0 gr H110 = 1264fps -> 1153ft/lbs Min load with H110 *Do Not Reduce*
325 gr JFP - 22.0 gr H110 = 1368fps -> 1350ft/lbs Max Pressure


I can see there is some overlap in the energy levels. I have already shot a bit of the 7.0 gr GDot loads and I am quite happy with the load. So I guess I'll move up max 8.7 gr GDot and learn to shoot that. There will be a bit of a jump to the first H110 load. Think I'll try 50 or so of those and see if I can deal with that. I think I can skip the high pressure 240 gr H110 load and start the 325 load and work up slowly. Maybe 20 rounds each time. Maybe 0.2 gr steps and still bring some of the 7.0 gr GDot loads to relearn the trigger each trip.

Well, that's the plan anyway.
See you'ins later.

[BamaNapper]

I came across this article a while ago after reading another thread on heavy boolits in the 44 mag. It may be of interest. The author provides his take on loading the heavy boolits and tests with W296, which most folks agree is H110 in a different color jug.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell44OverWeight.htm#top

I'm not one to strive for max horsepower and recoil so I avoid the heavies. The loads with 7 - 8 gr of Green Dot sounds more to my liking. If I ever feel compelled to shoot 325 gr boolits I'll first have to feel compelled to get a rifle to shoot them. But it's still interesting. I'm curious to hear whether you find the 325 gr worthwhile. Regardless, it should be a fun experiment if you can tolerate the abusive recoil.

[Tatume]

I came across this article a while ago after reading another thread on heavy boolits in the 44 mag. It may be of interest. The author provides his take on loading the heavy boolits and tests with W296, which most folks agree is H110 in a different color jug.


It's hard to not agree, because Hodgdon says they are the same.

[Norske]

My SBH's love the Lee 300 boolit and 16 gr of 2400. My Marlin 1895 (slower twist) hates it. I don't know if 16gr 2400 is a maxload, but the recoil is enough for me. I hunt black bear from a ground blind, and an SBH is my last-ditch gun.

[Madman O Anderson]

Ya, that's one of the sources I used to leap from to find that data.

Sent and e-mail to Hodgdon about the 319 I plan to use and he gave me the load for 325 grainers.

[bangerjim]

I only use H110 for full house 44 mag loads. Works GREAT!

I light load many other 44 mag round with just any good pistol powder. They shoot like a 45LC or 38 spl on kick-back.

You don't always have to load for max velocity and kick! Especially in these days of powder and primer shortages.

Load what you can find & have on-hand. Figure out the SAFE loads from the published data charts........................and have fun.

[.429&H110]

The only thread I ever started here was because I scored two bottles of GreenDot at the old price. Not much load data, until I asked here. Thank you! I made a few hundred 45acp with GreenDot and still counting, works fine. But as search is your friend in this immense anecdotal database I found reports that GreenDot "spikes" in 44mag. The curve curves up fast. A little more is not a lot better. I have enough H110 to load 44 for a while yet.
Do not go below minimum weight with H110. It won't all burn.

[ddixie884]

I'm not driving this train. It is your train and you can do as you think best. I would do some serious looking for some 2400 or AA-9 or some other more user friendly high performance powder you can download unless you are looking for real max loads in which case H-110 is your friend............

[Norske]

My SBHs shoot the Lee 300gr very accurately. At 50 yards, they make a single ragged 6-round hole. Since that load will be used as a backup for baited black bear, 25 yard accuracy may be all I need. 300gr bullets and 16gr 2400 makes interesting recoil, but I learned long ago that SA revolvers will pivot upward, so I don't fight it. With a 2-handed hold, that gun spin puts the hammer near my left thumb, making repeat shots quicker.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I'm not driving this train. It is your train and you can do as you think best. I would do some serious looking for some 2400 or AA-9 or some other more user friendly high performance powder you can download unless you are looking for real max loads in which case H-110 is your friend............

+ one on this When i ran out of 2400 Blue Dot was my next pick

[Hanzy4200]

Another vote for W296/H110. Perhaps instead of wiggling up to full power, maybe drop your bullet weight down. I have a 200 gr Lee that shoots quite well. I wouldn't worry to much about going super slow. .44 isn't the wrist breaker people act like it is.

[.429&H110]

I tried the heavy for caliber idea because every Alaskan knows you must only shoot a brown bear with a 320 gr soft boolit or the bear will eat you. Ruger SBH looked like I beat it with a hammer. So I discovered Keith boolits at 250 gr, and slung my Marlin 450 on my shoulder. One of my few regrets in life is I never got within a hundred feet of a brownie with a load of Keith boolits. Turns out, bears are afraid of my wife.

[Madman O Anderson]

I tried the heavy for caliber idea because every Alaskan knows you must only shoot a brown bear with a 320 gr soft boolit or the bear will eat you. Ruger SBH looked like I beat it with a hammer. So I discovered Keith boolits at 250 gr, and slung my Marlin 450 on my shoulder. One of my few regrets in life is I never got within a hundred feet of a brownie with a load of Keith boolits. Turns out, bears are afraid of my wife.

Ya, I think my wife speaks bear too.:p

[smkummer]

OK. I have a plan. Sorta.

There aren't any recipes for Accurate #2, so we'll drop that.

Here's what I have so far.


240 gr SWC PB - 7.0 gr GDot = 901fps -> 423ft/lbs An easy and accurate load. Good self defense level.
240 gr SWC PB - 8.7 gr GDot = 1180fps -> 742ft/lbs Max pressure load with GDot @35,000psi. Kinda the minimum for hunting smaller deer.
240 gr SWC PB - 23.0 gr H110 = 1431fps -> 1091ft/lbs Min load with H110 *Do Not Reduce* Decent hunting round out to 50 yds or so.
240 gr SWC PB - 24.0 gr H110 = 1522fps -> 1234ft/lbs Good hunting round if the boolit were shaped better.
325 gr JFP - 20.0 gr H110 = 1264fps -> 1153ft/lbs Min load with H110 *Do Not Reduce*
325 gr JFP - 22.0 gr H110 = 1368fps -> 1350ft/lbs Max Pressure


I can see there is some overlap in the energy levels. I have already shot a bit of the 7.0 gr GDot loads and I am quite happy with the load. So I guess I'll move up max 8.7 gr GDot and learn to shoot that. There will be a bit of a jump to the first H110 load. Think I'll try 50 or so of those and see if I can deal with that. I think I can skip the high pressure 240 gr H110 load and start the 325 load and work up slowly. Maybe 20 rounds each time. Maybe 0.2 gr steps and still bring some of the 7.0 gr GDot loads to relearn the trigger each trip.

Well, that's the plan anyway.
See you'ins later.
The green dot load at 1180 FPS will absolutely blow a hole through all deer small or large; as long as you hit the deer.
Lots of good advice here. My first handgun 45 years ago was a Ruger SBH when I was 16 years old. Still have it ( Dirty Harry sure sold a lot of 44 magnums). I still remember not really hitting much with my first full power loads and the day I reduced the power level with unique and presto....I could hit what I was aiming at. I later remember shooting a friends SBH with pachmayr grips and noticing how comfortable it felt.
It appears most 44 magnum handguns are very accurate and they can be enjoyed with many levels of loads. Eventually you will decide what velocity you can shoot well, then when you do, you can see fast powders will save you money. Unique ( and herco) in 357 and 44 magnum does a lot for me with cast bullets.