In Marshall's article introducing the 250 grain WFN-GC he listed a load of 12 grains of Unique for both his 44 mag SBH and rifle tests. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/open_sight/index.htm

I have some of those 250 WFN BTB bullets in .431 (very nice) and a pound of the "new" Unique. Alliant's 44 mag sample loads on their website shows a limit of about 10 grains. I'd like to try the 12 grain load, but am double-checking about the limits of Unique with that 250 lead bullet.
All input appreciated. Thank you.

I'd believe the Alliant data. While I haven't loaded for the .44 Mag, I do a lot of 45 Colt loads, and believe me, a 10.0 grain charge of Unique is STOUT with a 250-grain bullet. Unique is flexible, but it does get downright nasty at high charge levels.

Unique is a poor choice of powders for full-power loads. It's wonderful at lower levels, but NOT a good choice for top-end.

This illustrates once again the wisdom of checking cetified and tested data by a competent lab (which you did) versus trusting something you saw on the internet.

I'd try some Alliant 2400. You can make it work in any range of loads. Even below min. charges ( a grain or 2) it works well.

My favorite 2400 load is 16 grains of 2400 under a 250 grain 429421. It'll run 1100 fps. Plenty fast for these old crippled hands.

I still shoot H110 behind 240 grain XTP's but not very many at a time. :eek:

Marshall is shooting a SBH and they tend to handle loads that are a little over the "normal". :D

RJ

"This illustrates once again the wisdom of checking cetified and tested data by a competent lab (which you did) versus trusting something you saw on the internet."
I thought if it's on the internet it has to be true. You just popped my bubble Rocky.
Unique and 2400 are my favorite .44 mag powders.
2400 gives me the best accuracy above 1100 fps and below that I really like Unique. Unique is one of the original smokeless powders, having been in production for prolly a century. Chief

Over a century.

When I toured the old Hercules plant, they had the original sample of Unique on display in a water-filled glass jar. They occasionally took out a small amount, dried it and tested it. It still tests to original specs.

Amazing.

Rocky Raab! Did you live here in Brevard County, FL up until about 1985??

Back to Unique: NOTICE OF ERROR - I right now admit I clicked on the Alliant data 240 JSP loadings which says 10.3 grains instead of the 240 LEAD BULLET load which calls for 11.8 of Unique. Big difference. My mistake.

BTW, I do shoot a s/s Ruger SBH. So I guess the load will be strong (10 grains is my max to date). I'll probably try some with 11.4 or so.

Also, that 10 grain load in my 4-5/8 SBH leaves some unburned Unique. I have been using CCI standard 300 primers. Perhaps I should switch to CCI 350 magnum primers to more completely burn the Unique, and expecially if I try more powder? Marshall's loads are listed using Winchester primers which are a single strength for both standard and magnum applications. Alliant's load uses Fed 150 primers.

Indeed Dave, you will find much better uniformity and ignition characteristics, at least in our testing if utilizing the WLP's for primers in that load.

Too, regarding the data differences, take a quick look at that 44-250WFNGC bullet in terms of case intrusion when compared to a typical SWC or Keith bullet and you will find that it gives significantly more remaining case capacity after seating the bullet! Hence the data I've shared with you.

Be advised however, those others reading this post that the recommended charge above, is only a safe, viable load when using either the .44-250gWFNGC or our .44-250LFNGC bullets. None other! We offer a total of four .44 caliber 250 grain bullets, however the above mentioned load of Unique is only suitable for the the listed bullets.

Indeed, this is a stiff load, but well within established normal pressure perameters.

Thanks for the amended post Dave,

God bless,