44 magnum loads

[NC308]

So I’m not new to reloading, but I am new to loading pistols rounds. I want to use 240 gr xtp. I’m thinking H110 powder with cci large pistol primers. Does anyone have any pet loads. I have a ruger super Blackhawk with a 10 3/8” barrel.

 

[243winxb]

Needs a magnum primer.

Edit- Note. Rem 2 1/2 & WLP Primes are the only ones available from Remingfon & Winchester.

 

[Cloudchaser]

I have used H110 for years shooting 24grs. with both the 240gr. jacketed bullets and 250 grain Keith style semi-wadcutters....I also like the 2400 by Hercules if you can find any shooting 21.5 grains..the slower burn rate of the 2400 would work very well in your longer barrel. If you can find a Lyman reloading manual, it has several good loads listed.

 

[SSL]

Needs a magnum primer.

Yes. H110/WW296 do best with magnum primers, especially in colder weather. Alliant 2400, as mentioned, is also an excellent powder for the .44, but it is recommended by Alliant that standard primers be used.

 

[Cloudchaser]

The newer 2400 burns just abit faster and should be reduced a couple grains...I personally with the 2400 powders have not had any issues using standard CCI large pistol primers...this is not a contradiction of 243 above, just stating my experiences.

 

[FeMan]

If you are new to pistols, one thing that is not obvious is the need to really watch your COAL closely. Making mind making small changes in the seating depth can change the pressures significantly in hand gun loads. A "book" load seated slightly deeper isn't a book load anymore.

I prefer W296 in my 44 loads but H110 should work ok.

 

[Twicepop]

If you are new to pistols, one thing that is not obvious is the need to really watch your COAL closely. Making mind making small changes in the seating depth can change the pressures significantly in hand gun loads. A "book" load seated slightly deeper isn't a book load anymore.

I prefer W296 in my 44 loads but H110 should work ok.

WW296 and H110 are the same powder sold under two different brand names, another duplicate is WW760 and H414.

 

[rickt300]

Agree on 296/H110 needing magnum primers, and it is a pretty blasty powder also.

 

[tominboise]

296/H110 are great for max loads in the 44 Mag. 2400 is useful as charge weight can be reduced to produce less recoil if desired. I prefer 2400 over 296/110 for this reason. Not every load has to be full power.

 

[NC308]

296/H110 are great for max loads in the 44 Mag. 2400 is useful as charge weight can be reduced to produce less recoil if desired. I prefer 2400 over 296/110 for this reason. Not every load has to be full power.

I agree but my main purpose for this is to hunt deer out to 75 yards or so.

 

[SSL]

There's nothing wrong with your bullet choice or powder, but you need to find some magnum primers if you don't have any. Cold weather makes hot primers even more necessary with H110/WW296 for reliable ignition. I notice you are realistically citing 75 yards or so. I think that is wise. As I mentioned in another post, I prefer 250 (SWC) to 270-grain (LNFP) cast bullets over 20 to 21 grains of 2400 for deep penetration. I have never really trusted a hollow-point expanding reliably at handgun velocities, or if they do expand, penetrating deeply. Instead, I count on those cast bullets opening a neat .430" minimum hole through the vitals. But, since I haven't used any in over 40 years, I have no knowledge of the newer hollow-point designs' capabilities.

 

[KRP]

Magnum primers as has been mentioned, and a good crimp.

I know a guy who has a 10.5" Blackhawk in 44.

I've got a 12" brass rod for knocking a bullet out of the barrel when he forgot one or possibly both on a batch of ammo.

 

[NC308]

There's nothing wrong with your bullet choice or powder, but you need to find some magnum primers if you don't have any. Cold weather makes hot primers even more necessary with H110/WW296 for reliable ignition. I notice you are realistically citing 75 yards or so. I think that is wise. As I mentioned in another post, I prefer 250 (SWC) to 270-grain (LNFP) cast bullets over 20 to 21 grains of 2400 for deep penetration. I have never really trusted a hollow-point expanding reliably at handgun velocities, or if they do expand, penetrating deeply. Instead, I count on those cast bullets opening a neat .430" minimum hole through the vitals. But, since I haven't used any in over 40 years, I have no knowledge of the newer hollow-point designs' capabilities.

I have no concerns with the xtp expanding. I use this exact bullet in my muzzleloader running almost the same velocity. Takes many deer with this set up out to 100 yards with no issue’s. Thanks for the I’m put. Also looking at RCBS carbide dies??

 

[mongo chicago]

For decades I used a loading I read in Gun Digest. 18.5 grs of Blue Dot with a 240 gr Speer jacketed magnum soft point and a magnum primer in Remington brass. Researching other powders, Blue Dot gave higher velocities with lower pressures. GD listed the velocity at 1525 fps.

 

[NC308]

For decades I used a loading I read in Gun Digest. 18.2 grs of Blue Dot with a 240 gr Speer jacketed magnum soft point and a magnum primer in Remington brass. Researching other powders, Blue Dot gave higher velocities with lower pressures. GD listed the velocity at 1525 fps.

Interesting! Is there a concern with pressure spikes with blue dot or over charging?

 

[243winxb]

pet loads.

With H110 & 296 there is not much room to play with the powder charge. Hodgdon lists 23 grs start & 24 grs Maximum, with a different 240 gr jacketed bullet.

From 1996 . Today, Its ok to reduce the maximum load by about 3%

I shoot 250 gr cast with 296@ 23 grs , WLP . Add in an extra 1/2 gr when working up can damage an old S&W M29-2. Avoid the above listed 25 gr lswc loading. To Hot.

The Ruger SBHs i had before the Smith, are stronger revolvers.

 

[mongo chicago]

Interesting! Is there a concern with pressure spikes with blue dot or over charging?

Should have posted that it was or Rugers only. No spikes that I was ever aware of or read about. Again, this article was about 47 years ago.

 

[spudgun]

Welcome to the 44 mag family.

My pet load since the 70's for my black Hawk has been 21.0 gr, 2400, 240 gr bullet. Gave me very good accuracy. Still use it today in my 44 Desert Eagle.

Have fun..

 

[Clark]

In my Smith 1988 6" 29-4 and in my 1962 Ruger 44 carbine [with a 22" Marlin 444 barrel], I shoot 24 gr H110 with 240 gr JHP at 1450 and 1800 fps 31kpsi.

The 44 magnum is SAAMI registered at 36 kpsi max average pressure.

 

[Intheshop]

Just my experience here,don't have pressure measuring equipment;

Blue Dot fills a role,very nicely between two very versatile Hercules powders. Unique picks up after the faster target powders,with it's medium burn rate. And in some bullet weights will take your 44 right up to where 2400 starts to get traction.

But when Unique starts getting into "heavy loads" is where BD shines from my experience. Think of BD as a "light heavyweight" to use a boxing class analogy. In a 44,there's a very good chance you can skip this powder...... that "might" be a mistake. Frequently it can be just what the Dr ordered for accuracy. I wouldn't bother with it once bullets got up around 300g,it can get *peaky,just use 2400. But for 240XTP, it would be on my short list to try.

296 is a fine powder,it just has a smaller load window than 2400. Good luck with your handgun hunting,extremely challenging but highly rewarding class of hunting.

*peaky; it's running along fine in load workup,then you find even with solid loading techniques of,small gradual increases of powder,watching chrono numbers..... extraction goes from snug to "stuck" with a cpl .01 g increase.