700X favorite loads for handguns?

[Pepe le PewPew]

Guys my dad just told me he has 22lbs of 700X I can use.
I’ve never used it except for shotgun.
We reload for 9mm, 38spcl, 357 mag, 40s&w, 41spcl, 41mag, 44spcl, 44mag, 45acp.

Any guidance, favorite loads, etc much appreciated.
BTW all done on single stage, and if doesn’t meter too well can weigh it no biggy.
Thx!
LePewPew

[Thumbcocker]

.44 magnum. 250 grain Keith. 7.0 700x. Very good midrange load. Very clean.

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[Pepe le PewPew]

Forgot to ask, if there are any peculiarities such as position or temperature sensitivity up be aware of?
Thumbcocker thx for the 44 load, we have a Lyman 240 SWC PB I can try.

[dannyd]

38 special 158 Lead swc 3.0 does the trick out to 25 yards. Great general purpose powder for lead bullets; rifle, pistol and shotgun.

[dannyd]

Forgot to ask, if there are any peculiarities such as position or temperature sensitivity up be aware of?
Thumbcocker thx for the 44 load, we have a Lyman 240 SWC PB I can try.

Used it down here in temperatures from 20 to 105 worked as advertised with not problems.

[super6]

38 special 158 Lead swc 3.0 does the trick out to 25 yards. Great general purpose powder for lead bullets; rifle, pistol and shotgun.
^^^ this

I also use it in 44 mag. Good powder.

[bangerjim]

I used 700X for several years. Good general powder. There is lots of load data on the net from maker's website. And load data books. I never give or get load data from forums unless I can prove it with published data!

[TurnipEaterDown]

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
Link to loading data from Hodgdon, they distribute all IMR powders.
I recently cam into a much smaller quantity, so not used it much, but found it fine when I did in 44 magnum.
I was going to post pictures from older IMR loading guide, but can't upload photos.

[dannyd]

I don't like heavy recoil so I only shoot 44 special but it works good for that too. 700x in 3/4 oz shotgun shells it's great for that too.

[MT Gianni]

Get lyman manuals from 46-50. They should show 700 data. Also the older powder manufacturer load books given out free up til about 2005.

[jeepyj]

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
Link to loading data from Hodgdon, they distribute all IMR powders.
I recently cam into a much smaller quantity, so not used it much, but found it fine when I did in 44 magnum.
I was going to post pictures from older IMR loading guide, but can't upload photos.

This is an excellent resource. Thank you for sharing

[Rapier]

Cast and 700x goes together in the 357, 41, 44 and the 45. There are loads that will shoot a clover leaf with each cartridge.

[Half Dog]

I’ve got some Bullseye I could trade for some 700x, assuming you’re close to me.

[black mamba]

Even though 700X is very bulky, I've never had a problem just throwing charges from my RCBS powder measure. No problems with consistency or ignition. In 41 and 44 magnums and 45 Colt, 6-7 grains of powder under light to medium weight cast bullets produce excellent results.

In 44 mag, 6.0 gr. under a deep-seated 215 SWC (1.455") is superbly accurate @ 960 fps.

[armoredman]

I hate 700X - HalfDog, if you were close I'd take you up in a HEARTBEAT...I hate 700X and still have about 2 pounds of the stuff. It meters terribly, and I really don't like trickling powder in the scale pan over and over.
However, I do have a little bit of 9mm loads - all data academic, etc., as nauseum, yadda yadda.
124gr Win FMJ, mixed brass, 4 gr 700X/Lee .5CC dipper, COAL 1.10. I don't remember this one, was a while ago, but the notes say snappy recoil - oddly enough my notes said I tried this same load under a CAST boolit, same result, don't recommend it, no idea what the hell I was thinking. I also tried it under a 147gr bullet, Winchester FMJ Match, 3 grains, but it just barely cycled the pistol and I moved back to other powders.
I wonder if 700X makes good fertilizer?

[Pepe le PewPew]

Thx for all the replies, and those who provided actual loads they had experience with.
As fo Hodgdons site I’ve used it since they put it up, have older manuals from them, and never use a load unless I can cross check it- so not to be rude but to those that state the obvious “get a book” and “don’t just use whatever someone else says” goes without saying.
Those that recommended particularly the older manuals I appreciate that, it is good advice. I’ve noticed many newer manuals have removed some of these loads for cast bullets OR powders they aren’t pushing hard.
Thanks again, Steve aka PPLPP

[Pepe le PewPew]

Half Dog, I’m on the wrong coast aka West Coast, too far for economical swapping. Thank you for the office tho!

[Budzilla 19]

I use 700x in 45 auto, 4.8 grains to be exact, 230 grain cast lead, powder coated. Easy on the gun, easy on me. I like it. Good luck with it. Just my experience.

[alfadan]

I use 700x a lot. 3.2 in .38 wadcutters seated out one driving band. 4.5gr in .45acp with 230rn. It leaves a few flakes if loads are less than hot.

[LAGS]

The first powder I used when I started reloading was 700x.
I started off reloading .38 and .357 s with cast Boolits.
I then got into reloading shotguns with the powder for skeet shooting.
As said by others , the 700x is hard to get consistant loading with a powder measure.
But I just used a Lee Scoop measure and my loads came out more consistent.
I have used the 700x in other calibers , but the .38 and .357 were great for target shooting.
I started reloading way back in 1976.
Back then I didn't have much money , and I bought the 700x in bulk in a paper bag for less than half the price of other powders.
So I have tried many other powders since then.
But I still use the 700x and get good results.

[Kosh75287]

It's not terrific for magnum loads, but it works really fine for middlin' revolver rounds and .45 auto. MY general purpose load was 4.6/700X/230 LRN. I later swapped the 230 LRN for 200 gr. RNFPs, and lost nothing in the trade. This powder is among the cleanest-burning I've ever used in .45 ACP.

[sukivel]

I like it alot! It’s also cheaper than everything else. Shoots good for me.

I load it in 9, 38/357, 45.

9.0 gr with 250 gr mp 432-640 hp in 44 mag is my favorite h&r load


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[charlie b]

I ended up with a bunch of it as well. Works great in the .357 and .45acp. Load them with the measure on the press. Some variation in weight but still shoots well, especially with moderate heavy bullet loads.

Not so great in my 9mm. Seems the little case is a bit more sensitive to charge variation. If I weighed the charges it worked OK. Toss from a measure not so much. So, I reserve the ball powders for the 9mm.

[Pepe le PewPew]

Great guys, very encouraging. Since most of my "other" pistol powders are down to about a pound each, I will start utilizing this. Can use what bullseye I have for specific loads or possible mouse fart rifle, 2400 and Unique for the midrange to upper, and the 4227 and 110 for fire breathing. I can learn to love 700x I bet with this much to burn, especially since I don't trap shoot anymore.

[Shopdog]

Got a bunch of 700X. Here's a very early stainless Caspian frame,Colt commander slide,ported barrel.... lots of smith time on this one. Have it lightly sprung(made my own 1911 spring checker) and with the porting,well it has to be one of the most fun gun/powder combos here. The H$G mould is nice but this rig actually does noticeably better with the Lyman 452488/700X.

[scattershot]

As others have said, it measures like corn flakes, but my Dillon throws consistent charges with it. A lot depends on the measure. I’m still in the Experimental stage, but I just loaded .45 ACP/200SWC and .40 S&W/165 FMJ, both with 4.5 grains. Both these loads a re said to be very accurate, we’ll see in a day or two.

[flint45]

I like it in .38 midrange loads also .44 spl. .45 auto rim and .45 cap . Meters fine for me.

[Larry Gibson]

Guys my dad just told me he has 22lbs of 700X I can use.
I’ve never used it except for shotgun.
We reload for 9mm, 38spcl, 357 mag, 40s&w, 41spcl, 41mag, 44spcl, 44mag, 45acp.

Any guidance, favorite loads, etc much appreciated.
BTW all done on single stage, and if doesn’t meter too well can weigh it no biggy.
Thx!
LePewPew

Over the years I've used a lot of 700X in all of those cartridges except the 40 S&W and 41 SPL. Actually, just a couple days ago i load 200 rounds of 44-40 with 6.5 gr of 700X under a 200 gr cast bullet.

[Kuduking]

Love 700-X. Meters very well in the Dillon measure.

In .41 Special with a 215 SWC, 5.5 gr of 700-X is midrange load.

.45 ACP - 230 grain RNL 5.0 gr, 200 grain JHP 5.5 gr, 185 grain JHP 6.0 grains. The 200 SWC is very accurate with 4.5 gr 700-X @ 800 fps. The 185 grain WC "button nose" is a tackdriver with 4.0 gr.

[smkummer]

I got hooked on it when it was offered as surplus military powder in volume at $8 per pound if one bought at least 8# over 20 years ago. My son being on a trap league and myself using it in 45 acp subguns meant I went through about 8 lbs. a year. Lymans 1973 smaller cast bullet handbook has a bunch of loads for it with rifles as well. In magnum handguns, it provides cost cutting reduced load with lead bullets. Great 12 gauge target loads up to 1 1/8 oz. Great cowboy loads for 44-45 caliber handguns. Not position sensitive. For 38 special, in my lee pro 1000, it doesn’t meter well below about 3.6 grains. I simply will never run out of uses for 700X. Yes, if you can find the older IMR handloaders guide, lots of data for 700X.

[MT Gianni]

I inherited about 6 lbs from an estate. I don't see me using it all up before I go the same way at 4 gr a shot but am going to try.

[charlie b]

LOL

I got a jug of it at the beginning of COVID. It will probably still be half full when I go.

[Alferd Packer]

Google the Lyman 3rd edition Cast Bullet Manual online
Download for free.
Get your 700 X loads and then just delete the Manual off your computer.
I have even successfully downloaded it onto a cell phone and deleted it.
Of course i still retain my old hard copies, but you can use it to verify those online loads suggested by other shooters.

[charlie b]

Don't even have to delete it. It's a relatively small file so I keep it on my phone (SD card) and computer.

I keep most of my reloading data on the phone. Western load data (from before the merger with Hodgdon). I scanned in my old Lyman 45th edition as well as about half my old Sierra book. I also record sight settings for different ranges for each load. Also has a ballistics calculator installed (Nikon).

FYI, when we lived in an RV for a while took quite a few reference books and scanned them into pdf files. They take up little room and I have access to them wherever I go. Wife did the same with all her recipes.

[Rick B]

Have you ever pressure tested the 200 grain bullet, 6.5 grain 700X load in the 44-40.
Rick

[Larry Gibson]

Have you ever pressure tested the 200 grain bullet, 6.5 grain 700X load in the 44-40.
Rick

Assuming this question is directed at me?

No, I do not have a 44-40 test barrel. However, I'll refer you to https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?406689-Vicarious-44-40-Pressure-Testing

Note in that test the Lee 429-240-SWC (242 gr) over 6 gr of 700X in the 44 Magnum didn't give enough pressure to get a pressure reading. Given the same loads in the larger capacity 44-40 will produce about 93 +/- % of that pressure the 44-40 pressure would be less. Additionally, 7 gr of 700X under a 200 gr cast in the 45 Colt (about the same case capacity or the 44-40) gives right at 14,000 psi. Thus I doubt 6.5 gr under the 200 gr cast in the 44-40 generates more than 14,000 psi at best.

If anyone has a reasonably priced 44-40 Contender barrel I would be interested in purchasing it.

[Rick B]

Thanks, Larry for taking the time to respond to my question. In regards to pressure testing the 700X load in 44-40. Your input over the years is really appreciated.
Rick

[dale2242]

Here is my handgun loads with 700X
38 Spec 3gr. 140gr wc
9MM 3.6gr 120gr Lee TC
40 S&W 4.6gr. 180gr. Lee TC
45ACP 5 gr 200gr SWC.