I'm ready to go closer to full power loads in my SBH but I want a powder that will cover the range of loads better than H110/W296, which seem to me to be for full power loads only. Right now, my hunting load is 10 grs. of Unique over a 250 gr. cast SWC. I want something that I can shoot 240-250 SWC at a sedate pace but can be used to push these as well as the heavier, up to 300 gr., loads at close to the speeds developed by H110/W296. The three powders I've seen that seem close are 2400, H4227 and AA #9. Can anyone tell me which of these would meet my wants? Also, do all three require magnum primers? Thanks for the help!

I reload for the .44 Magnum with several powders and have selected Unique and IMR4227. I shoot hard cast bullets our of a Ruger Blackhawk and jacketed bullets out of a Ruger .44 carbine. IMR4227 seems to be a better choice for my loading requirements. You might want to look at some reloading manuals then try several powders and see which works best for you. All the best...
Gil

Mikhail,

I use 2400 for my heavy loads, which if memory serves has the roughly the same performance window as 296. I put a magnum primer on it, no doubt.

My mid rate powder is Blue Dot, and that seems to do a very good job on special loads, and light bullet loadings. I also use a magnum primer on these loads, but am not sure if it is required.

Good luck.

Steve

Another vote for 2400. For me this is a good "do anything" powder for the 44 magnum.

bluedot for sure

unique for cast and light loads...

2400 for the heavy stuff....

mag primers for both.

unique for cast and light loads...

2400 for the heavy stuff....

mag primers for both.

Well, the decision has been made! I sent my wife to the nearest store (she works close by, aren't I luckly) that carrys reloading components with a list of four powders and she picked out 2400. Thanks for all the help!

Smart woman! (and very kind!)

I have had great success with 2400 but prefer the H4227. It is a really good magnum powder. I use it in 257 and 41 as well. It is clean and consistant. I use a 215 gr hard cast lead for "plinking loads" and love them. Wife shoots them also. Always use the magnum primer.

2400 will do the job fine but you don't need magnum primers. You will get up to 100 FPS more velocity with 296, H110, Lil'Gun, or any of the 4227 Powders. Any ball powder (296, H110 ect.) need magnum primers. Experment with them and see which one works best. Good luck

Lyman 48th says 2400 is your choice and no magnum primer but I would not argue with experience. I use winchester LPP so the magnum promer or not is not in question.

With 44mag I use 2 loads that I really like.

Blue Dot 15.5Grains, Measured with Digital Hornady Scale
240 Grain Lead Gas Checked Bullet
CCI or Federal Large Pistol Primer


Blue Dot 13Grains Measured with Digital Harnady Scale
240 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point
CCI Magnum Primer

So to answer your original Question I think Blue Dot is very flexible I even use it to load my 40S&W, 45Colt, and 9mm.

How about a vote for Alliant Herco?? 12 grains with a 240 swc goes downrange at 1250 fps. It is very useful as a large caliber handgun powder. For reduced loads I agree with the others about Blue Dot and Unique.

I use 2400 and unique for all my loads in 44 Mag....standard primers for all loads. Lymans Cast manual says to use the standard primers and ive come to find more consistant velocities in all my loads by using them vs magnum primers...even with full charges of 2400.

Blue dot for my mid-range,2400 and H110 for top-end.

Elmer Keith was known to use a LOT of 2400 powder in his 44's, but according to Ross Seyfried, Elmer never used a magnum primer in his handguns, ever. This is a guy who spent most of his life outdoors, often in very cold weather. :eek: If Elmer felt the mag primer wasn't needed, I'm inclined to believe he knew what he was talking about.

As for my latest 44 loads, I'm trying some Hodgdon Lil Gun, it sounds just a little faster than 296/H-110/2400/AA-9, but still gives good load density. I think it's geared more toward rifle ballistics, but experimenting is how we learn! :cool:

Papajohn