Best powder for .44 Magnum

[CALIFORNIA]

I use 231 for my .40 and .45. Other than the fact that it creates a lot of dark smoke, I am happy with the result.

However, I am not sure about 231 in my .44 Mag. loads. I have carefully been building up my loads. I started at 7 grains ( min ) and went up to 11 ( max ) for a 240 gr. slug as per Hodgson website.

The 11 grain "maximum" felt way tamer than a factory load. Someone at my range told me that 231 was not an appropriate load for a .44. He suggested I even take it up to 11.5 grain, which I did. At 11.5 , the shot still doesn't feel anywhere as hot as the factory load. I don't dare go beyond 11.5 gr., however , it still doesn't feel right.

Comments?

Gene

 

[chappy]

231 is way to fast. try 296, blue dot or even unique would be better.

 

[Gibbs505]

Hood for light loads, but for heavy loads, go to H110, W296 or H4227.

Note, these are very pressure sensentive. Follow the loading manuel carefully!

 

[joe-nwt]

I use 231 for my .40 and .45. Other than the fact that it creates a lot of dark smoke, I am happy with the result.

However, I am not sure about 231 in my .44 Mag. loads. I have carefully been building up my loads. I started at 7 grains ( min ) and went up to 11 ( max ) for a 240 gr. slug as per Hodgson website.

The 11 grain "maximum" felt way tamer than a factory load. Someone at my range told me that 231 was not an appropriate load for a .44. He suggested I even take it up to 11.5 grain, which I did. At 11.5 , the shot still doesn't feel anywhere as hot as the factory load. I don't dare go beyond 11.5 gr., however , it still doesn't feel right.

Comments?

Gene

Don't confuse felt recoil with pressure. Just because the load feels light compared to factory does not mean you are not nearing the pressure limit for that powder. If you want a stouter load, go with a slower powder.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Back to 'Elmer', Bullseye for very light loads, Unique for light to moderate and 2400 for the heavy stuff.

 

[rgv]

because 231, being a fast powder, will reach peak pressure before maximum velocity is reached, so a max load (I've never gone past 10.0) is still slower in velocity than factory full power loads.

 

[757Fixer]

H110.

 

[Lefty Dick]

H110=WW296
Diffrences in load data are only expected diffrences from lot to lot.

 

[bear.23]

2400

 

[IM_Lugger]

Power Pistol is good for mid-high vel. loads... H110 is great for max loads...

 

[blacksmithden]

24 grains of 296 works fine for me.
Don't go too light though.
I started having problems while experimenting with this powder (which is against the mfg recommendations)
I didn't have any super high pressure recoils, but did start to have misfires when I got it down around 17 grains.
24 Worked well everytime though.
All charges are under a 240 grain cast bullet.
231 works ok as well.
If you're shooting 50m or less, you don't exactly need a full magnum load. I've heard lots of stories that include the insinuation that .44 mag's practically fall out of the air after 100 yards. I regularly walk over to the long range at Genesee with these loads and pop off rounds at the 200m gongs with my 5 1/2" barrel Ruger Redhawk. The shots are still travelling relatively flat judging by my aim point and the puffs of dust comming off the backstop. I do get the occasional hit but 200m with a relatively short barreled handgun is a bit of a challenge on any day.....at least for me.

 

[joe-nwt]

I started having problems while experimenting with this powder (which is against the mfg recommendations)

So. What were you doing THAT for?

 

[blacksmithden]

So. What were you doing THAT for?

Wanted to test out my kevlar gloves and lexan face shield


Honestly. I wasn't worried. The Redhawk is built like a tank. I've done quite a bit of "outside the box" experimenting with various calibers, both over and under max. What I can say for sure is that the reloading manuals I have are conservative. That's after careful, magnified inspections of fired cases/primers....not just because the guns didn't blow up. I might be crazy, but I sure.......oh, nevermind. Any other questions???

 

[wobbles99]

Alliant 2400 will give you good performance for full power loads.

 

[H4831]

231

The reason a maximun load of 231 in the 44 mag didn't seem like a heavy load is because it isn't! I once chronographed that load, and while it was very accurate, it was only traveling 1000 fps. Full charges of H110, 296 or 2400 gave around 1500 fps in the 7½ inch Ruger Super Blackhawk.

 

[beretta boy]

I found 8 grains of Unique a good load in an 8-3/8 Mod. 29, with the
240 gr. Lyman 429421 "keith" bullet.

296 for hotter loads with jacketed bullets, including those used in
a Win. Mod. 92 Rifle and Marlin 1894 Carbine.

 

[furface]

I use H110.

 

[Billy The Kid]

I have had my best results using Win 296 for full tilt loads. 10 grains of Unique under a 240 grain cast bullet works very well for light target loads as well.

I shoot a S&W 629 with a 7 1/2" barrel.........

 

[SteveB]

44 Mag Powder

You might want to try Blue Dot. Gives 95% of the velocity without the recoil and muzzle blast or concussion. Makes the 44 a pleasure to shoot. Steve

 

[guide gun]

for my carry gun for guiding 21gr H110 behind a 300gr wfn but hang on it is not for fun shooting for light loads for plinking Unique and 240 gr lead is nice to play with