My gun is a 4" S&W 629-3. Unique provides all the power I need with a Lyman 429241 boolit and is accurate.
H110/W296
Alliant 2400
IMR 4227
W231
Accurate No. 9
Other (please specify)
My gun is a 4" S&W 629-3. Unique provides all the power I need with a Lyman 429241 boolit and is accurate.
A little more thread creep after this long:
My powder list in .44mag is Clays, Titegroup, Red Dot, Unique, HS6, 2400 and H110.
The question at the beginning of the thread was “What is your best powder for accuracy (in a 44 Mag)”?
My answer remains HS6 as long as we are talking a traditional boolit such as a SWC around 240 to 265 grs. If you trend to a heavier boolit than that, HS6 is not the best choice. The question was “most accurate powder” not the heaviest load that is accurate.
Picking one powder for the 44 Mag is like saying you can just eat one chip! Ain’t gonna happen With this “duffer”!
But if somebody is smitten with one powder and power level that’s their right.
I have to qualify what I do to my brass however: A lot was mentioned about unburnt powder, particularity with 2400. I am surprised by that based on my experience but I trim my revolver brass to get uniform belling and then better crimps. I also debur my inside flash holes. Yes that varmint gun trick and that along with uniform crimps and belling just plain works with all the powders I listed above.
Three44s
Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207
“There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”
296/H110 powder has yielded the best accuracy for me in 44 Mag and 357 Mag, in every gun chambered as such that I ever tried it in.
I like HS 6 lately. Economical at 12 grains and plenty accurate ( we ain't shooting prairie dogs ).
1) H110
2) BLUE DOT
3) 2400
ranked in order both for power and preference
Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk, that will teach you to keep your mouth shut!"
- Earnest Hemmingway
" I'd rather be lucky than good, GET SOME!" Mr. Revolver" - Jerry Miculek
My go to is 4227 for full power loads, using a high-tek coated RCBS 44-250–K.
HS6 and H4227 for upper mid range, 110/296 for full on magnums though rare these days and Bullseye for easy plinking.
HS6 has been the most accurate.
2400 All of the way.
If you are going to make a hole in something. MAKE IT A BIG ONE!
The OP did not specify whether the .44 cartridge was to be used in a handgun or a rifle. I think that would make a big difference in powder selection. It does for me with te .357 Magnum.
I have started developing loads for a 20" rifle with N110 and getting good results with the 240gr Nosler JSP
I answered 4227 in the poll before I noticed you said FULL POWER loads. For that I use 2400. 4227 for me is more accurate at reduced velocity than 2400.
What could possibly go wrong?
For the 357 magnum , I use 2400 for full magnum loads . In the 41 and 44 magnum I like 4227 best . It's more of a shove and less recoil flip . I do loose a little velocity but the accuracy is phenomenal and it's easier on the gun and easier on the shooter .
My vote for 4227 may not really qualify for this poll, as I shoot that round only in a carbine, not a pistol, and have only two cast bullets that I use in that, a Saeco 446AF6D at 200gr and a Saeco 442F5E at 247gr. - both turn up about 1500 fps. and are quite accurate.
ONLY 2400 for magnum loads, 357/44
The heavy hitters get H110/296 and AA#9. The lighter stuff gets Universal.
I'm also a 300mp convert , ive got and use all the others , but this stuff is just--good.
why does it say specify wh😁en you click on other on the poll?
ok im specifying here
not that I dont want 8 more pounds of 2400, but the velocity and accuracy with 300mp is outstanding, but I';m just a hobbyest not a professional competitive shooter
Except for a box of "Bear Loads" done up with A#9, I mostly load low to mid power ammo.
Universal, HS-6 and A#7 I use a lot of.
I'm also loading for a 4 inch S&W (Model 69). I know most guys use H110/296, but I think they are too slow unless you have a long barreled revolver or a carbine length barrel.
Consider how much unburnt powder you'll get out of a short barrel with the slow powders like H110 and Lil' Gun.
My load of 14.7 grains of A#7 with a 260 WFNGC burns all the powder so should more efficient than a load that only burns 85% of the powder.
H110 in rifle loads and 2400 in the handgun stuff.
Grumpy Old Man With A Gun....... Do Not Touch !!
2400 as its more flexible than 296/h110 and uses std primers
VV 3N38 is pretty sweet in 44 Mag handguns
Alcohol Inventory Reduction Specialist (Journeyman Level)
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |