.44mag

Full power loads (especially in a DE) you have to use H110 as anything won't cycle it reliably. Lighter loads like in a revolver for general plinking I use 700X.
 
I load Hornady FTX 225gr bullets with Lil'Gun, yields the highest velocity for this bullet. The case also has to be trimmed shorter due to the longer ogive. Gives me 1800fps out of my Ruger 77/44. Frankly, I am not sure that it's worth it going through all the trouble with this bullet. There are other bullets there. However, hunting wise, it makes the job done. Other bullets - H110!
 
Hoytcanon, do you trim your cases for 225 FTX to 1.255" as recommended by Hornady?
I've always used normal length 44 mag cases. No special trimming for special bullets. They feed and chamber just fine in my 1894.
Maybe they wont work in some other firearms and that's why Hornady recommends the shorter cases. I don't know.
 
I've always used normal length 44 mag cases. No special trimming for special bullets. They feed and chamber just fine in my 1894.
Maybe they wont work in some other firearms and that's why Hornady recommends the shorter cases. I don't know.

Interesting, because then you can load it hotter. With trimming you can do only max 20.9gr. Do you roll crimp or taper crimp?
 
Interesting, because then you can load it hotter. With trimming you can do only max 20.9gr. Do you roll crimp or taper crimp?
I use a Lee factory crimp die which is different for pistol cartridges than rifle. I think it's a roll crimp? I'm not sure.
Make a couple dummies and see if they fit in your mag, chamber, and cycle in your action.
Max pressure is still max pressure and I'd be careful about hotrodding a cartridge. As the saying goes; if you want a more powerful cartridge, buy a rifle chambered in a more powerful cartridge. If I want something bigger than my 44mag, I use one of my 45-70's.

The load I'm using with H110, full length 44mag brass, and 225gr FTX bullets is producing 1735fps with my chrony. The Hodgdon data site is listing a max velocity of 1669fps with this combo in a 20" barrel. Their max load is below the load I'm using though. I'm not sure where the data I am using came from. Normally I write that in the notes but it's blank for this load for some reason. I've never had stiff extractions or blown primers with this load and I've fired a couple hundred so I guess it's okay.
 
Was trying to find 2400 and having no luck, when I came across some VV N110. Seems to perform alot like 2400 and uses pretty close to the same charge weights. I think I like it!
It is pricey but better than using a slingshot to send my 240gr hardcasts downrange:)
 
Pouder? The only pouder I've found is Trail Boss ; gives me 950 fps with hard cast. I haven't found any other pouder to use, any shows up in town it's gone be for it hits the shelf.
 
Win296 is my "go to" for .44 magnum at the moment.

I have 2 lbs of Alliant 2400 to try in my Ruger Rehawk 5.5"; so far the little bit of number crunching I've done in Quickload suggests that 2400 seems to best in shorter barrel lengths (6" and under with 240 Gr bullets) whereas Win296 is best in longer barrels (lever gun loads with 240Gr bullets.) Anybody with chrono / real life data that can confirm / deny this?
 
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