.44 Mag 250grain cast Magnus bullet with H110 suggestions

[jimmyhat1978]

I have tried searching the forum for a load using the 250 grain Magnus Cast Bullet No. 709 for .44 mag using H110 without a definitive answer. Similar loads around the 250 grain mark seem to indicate that 23-23.2 grains of H110 and a pretty good crimp are a good starting point. Can anyone recommend a load for this bullet using H110 and a recommended OAL? I would really appreciate being pointed in the right direction. I am relatively new to loading cast bullets, but have loaded jacketed bullets for many years, so I would appreciate any guidance.

[Hickory]

It doesn't sound like you're too far off on what you have.
I'd start out with 22.5 grs. of H110. Load 3 rounds fire them on a target and check for 1) leading 2) primers for pressure 3) accuracy. Increase load by (0.2 grs.) until you notice 1) increase accuracy 2) or pressure signs 3) or leading, then stop before reaching maximum load.
If your not satisfied with your results, there are other powders for experimenting.

[Conditor22]

lyman 4th calls for 20.9 - 23 for a 250 grn HP
...........................21.8-- 22.8 for a 255 brn SWC

so-- I agree with Hickory

[jimmyhat1978]

It doesn't sound like you're too far off on what you have.
I'd start out with 22.5 grs. of H110. Load 3 rounds fire them on a target and check for 1) leading 2) primers for pressure 3) accuracy. Increase load by (0.2 grs.) until you notice 1) increase accuracy 2) or pressure signs 3) or leading, then stop before reaching maximum load.
If your not satisfied with your results, there are other powders for experimenting.

Thanks, for this. I realize that H110 is not ideal for this load but I have about 20 pounds of it so I need to use it where I can.

[Hickory]

Oh, I forgot to welcome you to the castboolit form.
This site is an encyclopedia of information.

[jimmyhat1978]

I thought I would update with the outcome of the first loads

7.5" Super Redhawk results:
240 grain Hornady XTP, 1.60 COl, 25 gr H110= 1445fps/ 9.86SD
240 grain Hornady xtp , 1.60 col, 25.2 gr H110= 1459 fps/ 22.44sd
250 Magnus #709, 1.610 col, 22.5gr H110= 1455fps/ 3.83sd
250grain Magnus #709, 1.610col, 22.7gr H110=1489fps/14.23sd
250 grain Magnus #709, 1.610, 22.9 gr H110= 1497/17.1sd

Henry 16.5 big boy steel .44 Mag carbine
240 xtp, 1.60 col., 25gr h110=1766fps/ 8.91sd
240xtp, 1.60col, 25.2 gr H110=1776fps/6.78sd
250 Magnus #709, 1.610col, 22.5gr H110= 1722fps/10.95sd
250 Magnus #709, 1.610col, 22.7gr H110= 1752fps/13.04

All measurements taken from LabRadar. Use data at your own risk, for information only.

To be honest I was surprised how low the standard deviation on the Magnus bullets was. I was expecting larger numbers compared to the XTP. I can't really justify the cost for the XTP's if the Magnus bullets continue to perform like this.

[jimmyhat1978]

I can PM the complete spreadsheets to those that are interested.

[pukester]

With H110, I highly suggest NOT downloading,. When you find someone who has encountered a problem with H110, it is very often involving a "start load". There are quite a few different "start loads" out there. But if you truly do not want to load down more than 3 percent of your max load,. There is really a very small sweet spot in there. For me (I do not have your bullet mold, mind you), on both 240 and 250 cast loads,. I've always ran 24 grains (which nowadays might be a bit high in some published data) for the longest time. Back when the most common advice was not to download more than 3 percent, that was only about half of a grain anyway. I knew some guys that downloaded all the way to 21.0 grains and I don't recall if they had any problems other than it seemed to burn more dirty or sooty. Seems like one old manual I have shows 25.8 gr. as a max (jacketed) with a 240., but they've not shown that load currently.