What's your Fave 44 Magnum handgun powder?

[Schism]

Unique for plinking with cast lead bullets, H2400 when I want magnum performance.

 

[jepp2]

While 296/H110 (same powder different names) is THE magnum powder, it isn't my favorite for heavy loads. Too narrow a load range for me and I have seen it etch the exterior of the brass. I much prefer 2400 as my slowest powder.

For hard cast lead I like Unique. If you load it up in pressure it burns fairly clean. Not the flaming dirt comment frequently heard.

I also find my self using a lot of Blue Dot, but like Unique it requires pressure to burn cleanly. But now days there are so many good powders in the mid burn rate that I haven't tried in the 44 yet. Powders like HS-6, Power Pistol, and others. I would just suggest you stay away from the uber fast burning powders.

 

[tazzman]

IMR 4227 for me with cast.

 

[AckleymanII]

H110 is actually Winchester Canister 295

 

[TheOtherZilla]

W296 or H110

 

[JLT]

No love for Blue Dot?

I use a little over 14 gr. of Blue Dot behind a 240 gr. Keith (linotype, so it's a little lighter than 240). Does a fine job if you don't mind a little soot.

 

[mmcu]

No love for Blue Dot?

I use a little over 14 gr. of Blue Dot behind a 240 gr. Keith (linotype, so it's a little lighter than 240). Does a fine job if you don't mind a little soot.

I'm a big fan of Blue Dot in the 44 Magnum.

15.5 grains behind a 200 gn Hornady XTP in my S&W 629 works very well.

 

[Jeff A]

My contribution. These were developed for my 7 1/2" barreled Super Blackhawk.

Mild: 7.6 grains of Universal behind a 180 grain Hornady XTP. 911 fps on my LabRadar Chronograph. Very comfortable to shoot yet I would certainly hate to get hit with this load!

Wild: 23.9 grains of Win 296 behind a 240 grain Hornady XTP. 1424 fps on the LabRadar. I wear shooting gloves for this one.

 

[hoz53]

I run Lil'Gun for heavy loads. I am fortune to have smaller calibers for plinking and playing. 355 grain hard cast and checked out of a 5 1/2" Redhawk aren't fun to shoot but when you must shoot something that wants to eat you the are comforting.

I'm sure 355s would let you know it. Don't think I'll shoot any of them but ya never know. I have smaller calibers to. Thanks

 

[hoz53]

While 269/H110 (same powder different names) is THE magnum powder, it isn't my favorite for heavy loads. Too narrow a load range for me and I have seen it etch the exterior of the brass. I much prefer 2400 as my slowest powder.

For hard cast lead I like Unique. If you load it up in pressure it burns fairly clean. Not the flaming dirt comment frequently heard.

I also find my self using a lot of Blue Dot, but like Unique it requires pressure to burn cleanly. But now days there are so many good powders in the mid burn rate that I haven't tried in the 44 yet. Powders like HS-6, Power Pistol, and others. I would just suggest you stay away from the uber fast burning powders.

Ok Thanks. I would like to try the VV powders to.

 

[hoz53]

My contribution. These were developed for my 7 1/2" barreled Super Blackhawk.

Mild: 7.6 grains of Universal behind a 180 grain Hornady XTP. 911 fps on my LabRadar Chronograph. Very comfortable to shoot yet I would certainly hate to get hit with this load!

Wild: 23.9 grains of Win 296 behind a 240 grain Hornady XTP. 1424 fps on the LabRadar. I wear shooting gloves for this one.

Universal is one I hadn't thought of thanks

 

[GotRDid]

Contender 12.5", Super RedHawk, and Super BlackHawk ( both 7 1/2" ); I have used the W296/H110 flavor for 35 yrs and love it. Likewise, #2400 is my top pick for full speed G/C cast Boolits. I have been playing with Ramshot's Enforcer and I am impressed. For plinking, I have to recommend Power Pistol.
As for #2400 burning a little dirty, the accuracy is a great trade off. You are likely going to clean your guns after shooting anyway, what's a few more patches?!?
Only way to keep them clean is to leave your guns in the safe; what fun is that?
GotRDid.

 

[hogpatrol]

It's been awhile but 2400 for deer hunting 240 jacketed loads in a Ruger handgun.

 

[SheepDog]

in order of velocity: lil gun, h110/296, 2400, ... unique,HP38/231, bullseye.
For lead bullets you can reduce the loads with lil gun more than you can with H110/296 and 2400 can be loaded to even lower velocities.
for soft plinking loads you can use unique or HP38/231 which will burn a bit cleaner than unique at lower pressures although with lubed lead you may not notice the difference.

 

[DocBII]

hoz53,

I only shoot jacketed bullets, since I shoot the same load in rifle and pistol. VV N-110 works best for me, since it's faster than the other 110 powders. Cleaner, as well. Works best in rifle with 300gr. bullets, pistol with the 240gr. weights.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[justinp61]

Just checked my cast loads, 10.7gr of Herco. I haven't shot my .44 in several years, need to get it out and burn up some powder.

 

[Yote Hunter]

IMR 4227 powder for 20 BHN cast lead. Have shot 6 shot groups at 100 yards with 4x scope a on S&W performance center as small as 1 1/2" with 22.9 gr Win 296 and CCI 350 and 240 gr Sierra JHC.

 

[people]

I use 296.

 

[Joe Wade]

another vote for H110 powder in 44 Magnum.

 

[hoz53]

IMR 4227 powder for 20 BHN cast lead. Have shot 6 shot groups at 100 yards with 4x scope a on S&W performance center as small as 1 1/2" with 22.9 gr Win 296 and CCI 350 and 240 gr Sierra JHC.

What do those 240 Jhc do to a coyote? Thanks for the info