Substitute powder for .44 Special?

[boatertwo]

I want to reload Hornady 180 gr XTP in .44 S&W Special. Lapua Reloading data says to use Vihtavouri N300 series powder, which I am unable to find. If there is another brand powder to use, I have not been able to find the data. Any ideas out there ? Thanks.

 

[jonbearman]

You can use: bulleye,win231,clays universal,unique,power pistol,sr4756,win act pistol,aa#5,hs-6.

 

[Steve Blair]

I've always shot Green Dot in .45 ACP and .44 Spl. It is clean burning and bulky, minimizing the possibility of shooting a double charge.

 

[MrMajestic]

What firearm and how fast do you want it to go? ???

 

[watercam]

Almost hate to suggest it but a powder that is somewhat available that I am using is IMR 800X. Flake powder and sooty but does go bang and is surprisingly consistent in my .38 Special +P loads. If you can get it to meter.

 

[boatertwo]

Sorry, forgot to mention. I'm shooting a S&W model 629 Classic .44 mag. Looking for bullet speed of 900-1000 fps.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there reloading data for these powders for this particular bullet or can I start with the lowest measure and work up from there?

 

[fredhorace77]

go to hodgdons website
http://www.hodgdon.com/index.html

 

[Irv Benzion]

I use Hodgdon's Titegroup in a 3 1/2 bbl .44 Mag. snake gun. To me the recoil impuse appears less than Bullseye or 231. It is accurate.

Irv Benzion

 

[bheadboy]

in my 629 7.5" for special velocities I use 7.5gr Unique with 240 cast H&G, (Keith style) and get 1000fps, very accurate. I use mag cases, if you use spl cases I would drop the load to 7gr and work up.

Bob

 

[Ringostar]

I've always used Hodgdon Universal, but going to try Alliant American Select. Data can be found on they're websites.

 

[bigedp51]

Hodgdon's has a good reloading section.

http://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

Google "Reloading the .44 Special" for more info.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2011/04/03/reloading-the-44-special/?show=gallery

And you do not need .44 Special cases to shoot light loads in a S&W 629, one of the things I really like about Quickload is it helping you pick a powder that goes with your barrel length. My 629 Classic has a 5 inch barrel and the faster powders do not add any additional "flaming rocket thrust" to Newton's third law equation.

And as my parting shot......................buy some reloading manuals.

 

[boatertwo]

bigedp51,

thanks for the info. The g&a article on .44 Special told me everything I needed to proceed. great article, by the way. I do own a couple of reloading manuals, but they all say to pay strict attention to reloading data while reloading. The g&a article states that paying strict attention also offers flexibility.

Thanks again.

 

[artbosco]

Your choices will be seen in step 4: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol