What's your Fave 44 Magnum handgun powder?

[A Marsh]

Another H110 user. I previously used 2400 and liked it but small unburnt particles would bounce off the indoor lane dividers and get behind my glasses. Something to consider if you shoot indoors at all.

I used a little bit of Blue Dot until I had trouble with it in a 357 mag. I had to pound out the casings with a load right in the middle of the load chart - a grain under max. That was before I knew of the safety notice: http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

So now I avoid Blue Dot. I figure that there is a chance I could stumble onto the same pressure / speed combination in the 44 mag that causes trouble in the 357 and 41. Based on my experience with the 357 it would not be a good thing.

 

[people]

How many of you are there?Thanks for the info

ill look at Herco thanks

It also works in the 30 carbine. The are a few of those floating around.

 

[hoz53]

One thing about using flake shotgun powders in a pistol is the way that they "bridge" in a powder measure. These powders include Blue Dot, 800X, 700X, to a lesser degree, Unique. Blue Dot is just about impossible to throw in most powder measures with any degree of accuracy, one will short, the next a heavy charge....BEWARE!!!

For this very reason, I went to a ball powder to get very, very accurate powder charges thrown. 2400 has to be the dirtiest burning powder you could ever shoot in a pistol.

I pretty much know what I am going to get using loads that's have been standard for decades. I'll use some of them but I really want to see what the newer powders will do. Im going to try N105 and N110 and some others. Thanks

 

[hoz53]

Yep, I have had trouble getting a lot of pistol powders to meter right. I don't like being off charge, especially with a cartridge that makes some pressure. In fact, I blew up the same Browning Hi-Power twice...was lucky the first time, no injury. Second time I got a nasty cut and a piece of brass in the side of my hand.
I have a 629 with an 8 3/8" barrel and the 2400 burns a lot cleaner if you give it some barrel to burn out in.
I've never really had any desire to shoot reduced loads in my 44 mag. I kinda like the feel of a "handfull" of handgun. I like to practice with a gun doing and feeling the same thing as the way I will be using it.

Good info Thanks

 

[hoz53]

Iron sights btw.

Sounds good I bet you'll get the chance again one of these days Thanks

 

[hoz53]

Nobody has tried Power Pro(TM) 300MP?
It is slower burning than Win296/H110, so it offers more velocity potential, if that is interesting to you. It is also not flash suppressed, so be prepared for some flash.
I love this product in 410bore shotshell but prefer 2400(R) in 357Mag (I don't load 44RemMag).
Please find load info here: http://alliantpowder.com/products/powder/power_pro_300.aspx (Please remember, Alliant loads are recommended maximum charges, so drop 10% and work up.)
Shoot well,
Paul

Thanks for the info Paul as power pro 300 mp is one of the powders I want to try. I will get some.

 

[hoz53]

I run ww 296 in my 8 3/8" s&w under a 310 oregon trail hard cast...It's a hammer

I bet. Don't know if I'll ever use over 240s Mabie so though

 

[AckleymanII]

296 takes a couple of tenths more powder than the H110 load I gave you. Use win brass and win mag primers. Learning to crimp bullets is trial and error, take careful notes, and pictures with a macro of your crimp will help you learn. Various amounts of crimp make differences in pressure and accuracy. You can measure from the top of the die to the die ring to help you record the amount of crimp, using the stem that sticks out of the back end of your dial caliper.

 

[hoz53]

296 takes a couple of tenths more powder than the H110 load I gave you. Use win brass and win mag primers. Learning to crimp bullets is trial and error, take careful notes, and pictures with a macro of your crimp will help you learn. Various amounts of crimp make differences in pressure and accuracy. You can measure from the top of the die to the die ring to help you record the amount of crimp, using the stem that sticks out of the back end of your dial caliper.

OK Thanks

 

[jlc204]

Haven't read through this entire thread to see if it's already been recommended, but I love IMR Trail Boss powder for reduced loads. I use 7.5 grains behind a 200gr copper plated bullet in my SW 629 and the accuracy is excellent. It's 100% case fill, instead of when using some of the other powders that were mentioned that leave a lot of empty space, which IME contributes to inconsistent burn, and loss of accuracy.

 

[spaniel]

For this very reason, I went to a ball powder to get very, very accurate powder charges thrown. 2400 has to be the dirtiest burning powder you could ever shoot in a pistol.

Never had problems metering Unique in the thrower on a Hornady LNL progressive, but can certainly see it with the others without trying.

I only use 2400 with full power loads. I do not find it dirty, certainly cleaner than Unique. My personal bias would be that it is dirty when it is being run soft and not combusting completely. But I can't speak for the experience of others in situations I haven't tried.

 

[hoz53]

Haven't read through this entire thread to see if it's already been recommended, but I love IMR Trail Boss powder for reduced loads. I use 7.5 grains behind a 200gr copper plated bullet in my SW 629 and the accuracy is excellent. It's 100% case fill, instead of when using some of the other powders that were mentioned that leave a lot of empty space, which IME contributes to inconsistent burn, and loss of accuracy.

I've used trail boss in 45 acp. I like it in that. I'll try it in the 44 to. Thanks

 

[hoz53]

Never had problems metering Unique in the thrower on a Hornady LNL progressive, but can certainly see it with the others without trying.

I only use 2400 with full power loads. I do not find it dirty, certainly cleaner than Unique. My personal bias would be that it is dirty when it is being run soft and not combusting completely. But I can't speak for the experience of others in situations I haven't tried.

Thanks I definitely got to get some 2400

 

[Elvin]

Thanks I definitely got to get some 2400

 

[Elvin]

28 grains H110 behind 180 grain Hornady xtp out of my marlin lever gun is devastating on jacks

 

[hoz53]

28 grains H110 behind 180 grain Hornady xtp out of my marlin lever gun is devastating on jacks

Thanks Ill be trying some H110/296 also