Well since whatever problems I may have with leading may be the result from a relatively fast powder (AA#5), I am in search of a mid-level powder for my .44 magnum.
My goal is 1,100FPS (What I am currently getting now with 11.6 grains of AA#5) since it has good power and yet easy-shooting enough from a wood-stocked redhawk to make shooting pleasant for long periods.
The upper end magnum powders, 2400, 4227, H110 and AA#9 all run a bit faster than I want, and get dirty (or unsafe) if downloaded to the levels I want.
Likewise, the pop-load powders, bullseye, Unique,etc. don't quite go high enough, 900-950FPS or so.
What has anyone had good luck in that power range? By looking at load tables AA#7 looks promising, along with Bluedot and HS7, the latter two of which are almost as hard to find as 2400.
Any help would be appreciated I'm buying a few 1 pounders to try stuff out, but I've found a few loads I like and am planning on purchasing a few 8 pounders so I can sit back and get some savings, along with ease of not running out of powder.