Powder for 44 mag

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wis_sharpshooter

New member
I was thinking of trying some new powder for my .44 mag and was wondering what powder have you guys had good luck with. I'm using win 296 right now and I kinda think its kind of a dirty powder. What do you guys think.
 
I used 22 grains of H110 behind a 200 gr Hornady XTP to kill a three point mule deer last fall. At 65 yards the bullet entered low on the right shoulder, shattered the leg bone on the way by, quartered through, and was under the hide on the offside flank. I was using a 7 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk. That load is kind of a handful, but it's seriously accurate in the pistol I was shooting.
 
I've been using H110 for years with heavy bullets(300gr and up) But 296 AA#9 2400 and lately I've had real good luck with lil'gun and 280gr LBT WFN's.
 
I've burned a lot of 2400 over the years. Probably more of it than any other single powder. The newest version is supposed to be cleaner burning than the older variety. I've also used W296 some. Quite a bit of H110, probably more of it than W296 and they're supposed to be mighty close to the same thing. Unique for the milder loads.
 
I have used mainly either Unique, Blue Dot or W-296, depending on the power level I was after.

I too at one time thought W-296 was dirty, but a friend told me I wasn't crimping my bullets heavy enough. I started using a heavier crimp and it seemed to burn cleaner and my accuracy was better also.

Larry
 
I have always burned 2400 topped with 200gr Hornady HP's. I also use the 2400 in 357mag loads. Good performer in my revolvers.
 
If you can find some of the old W680 powder it works fantastic behind the 300gr bullets, at least it does in my Classic Deluxe it does.
 
I spose I need to get a different die to be able to crimp the bullets huh. I have just been closeing the case mouth a little bit so it shaves a little copper off the bullet when it seats. Can some one tell me why blue dot isn;t in the speer reloading book, i use horandy xtps but i figured the 240gr bullet in the speer book was about the same.
 
Years ago I started out using 2400 but it left a lot of unburnt powder. Switched to 4227 and it is much cleaner burning. This is with the 240gr cast bullets.

Jack
 
I use------
H-110 for heavy loads/hunting
HS-7 for medium loads/range
though I've even used Unique, Bulleye and Clays for some range loads.

Whether a powder is in a reloading book or not is strictly up to the editor. Powder manufacturers show off their powders, so they will list as many powders as may be appropriate to a given bullet weight. Bullet makers show off their bullets (ie-give loading data) based on what they think most people are going to use behind their bullet. It's usually good to have 1 or 2 of your reloading books from each source==Bullet guys---Powder guys

Which is your second question---for the most part a 240 grain slug is a 240 gr slug, who made it makes little difference. However, Cast Lead versus Copper-coated Cast versus Cast with a Gas Check versus Jacketed does make a difference. Keep the first two below 1200 fps, where as the last two can be pushed faster. Exceptions would be some thing like all copper bullets which may be longer or shorter. With specialty bullets follow the manufacturers recommendations.
 
I use the Lee crimp die for 44 and 45 ACP and believe it helped the accuracy significantly. I also think it helps the feeding and chambering especially in auto.
 
My 2 44 Mag powders are W 296 with full power heavy bullets & H universal for plinking loads with lighter bullets. I have 240 & 250 grn for the 296 & 200 grn for the universal. I just got some beartooth bullets in hardcast 250 grn GC to load with the 296. I also got some 185 grn for 357 mag loadings. I will also use 296 for that.

For what it's worth I was recently told by a reputable source that H-110 & W296 are made in the same factory & ship in the same keg. It is later divided from the same supply to be labeled 296 & 110. The slight differences you see in the manuals has to do with the lot to lot variations in the powder. I just mention this so if you want a new powder from 296, H-110 may not be it. They are always listed right next to each other in the burn rate charts.
 
muskrat,

You're right....
W296 & H110 are basically the same powder, but they are processed differently. If you look at the two side by each, you'll easily see that the color is greyish-yellow for 296, and shiny jet black for the H110. This could be an identity issue, which is sometimes required by the parent company, when they sell to another for resale.
The shapes are different as well, and instead of being a visually "round" ball powder like H110, W296 has a somewhat flatter appearence.
Both are considered "ball powders".

The exact same difference holds true with HP38 and W231. They both appear as different powders visually, but when I tested them both side by side, I got the exact same results regarding velocity, accuracy, and ES & SD numbers.
HP38 is much cheaper, and next time I restock after my 231 is used up, I'll be getting a keg of it.

wis sharpshooter......

H110, W296 and Li'l Gun are probably the most used powders for jacketed bullets.
A2400 and H/IMR4227 are probably the most widely used cast bullet powders. And, using reduced loads with either bullet can range with a myriad of faster burning powders, but I'd bet Unique would get the nod for the most used.

I don't use jacketed bullets in my revolvers any longer, but when I did, I used the aforementioned load of 24.0grs. of W296 under the 240gr. jacketed bullets, and 26.0grs under a 210gr. Both Sierra's.

I have several different cast bullet styles I use now, and anything in the plainbased 240-265gr range, I'll use 8.5grs. of Unique at 1000fps., on up to lower charges of 2400 and a maximum of 1200fps., give or take.
My hunting load is 21.0grs of 2400 under a Lyman Devastator "gaschecked" hollowpoint at around 268grs total. The round pushes 1430fps., and is just like the bullet's name says....."devastating" on whitetails.
If you were to buy 3 powders only, I'd say Unique, 2400 and/or W296 or H110. That should cover it all.

Take care,
Bob
 
I have found that WW296 and H110 are so close as to be identical great for 180-240 heavy loads I like Unique for light under 1200 FPs loads with cast 240 grn bullets. I do not load over 240 grn bullets much I have found that any shots i do not want to take with a 240 grn JSP heavy load I need a rifle for anyway.
 
I have burned enough WW296 and H110 side by side to know they are not exact copies.

H110 is more dirty but also more accurate at long range.

WW296 is cleaner and not as accurate in my guns.

Neither of these powders are to be downloaded below suggested starting charges and the range between starting charges and max is "whisker close".

Three 44s
 
Y'all are completely missin' the boat. Lil' Gun get's equal velocity at less pressure than H110 or 296.

It also meters better and has easier cleanup than the super fine almost powder like H110 and 296.

Cleaner burning too....

lil' gun link

$bob$
 


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