I've been trying for some time to find a load that will perform well in both of my .44 mags. The SBH likes H110 and 296, the DE likes Unique. The faster burning Unique gets consumed entirely, while 110, 296, & 4227 leave unburnt powder behind. Not only don't I like wasted powder but this really beats my brass, (as the shell is pulled by the ejector it leaves unburnt powder in the chamber as well and when the next round cycles in and is fired, it comes out dimpled like a golf ball.) Can anyone recommend a powder that might give "magnum" loads in both, (the unique is a little anemic compared to 110) . I was reading posts on Lil Gun. and thought I might give it a try.

Lil Gun is turning out to be a pretty good powder, but I don't know if it's what you're looking for in this case. It is nearly as slow burning as as the H110/WW296. Accurate Arms #7 or Blue Dot might be good powders to try. Those two are somewhat faster burning and will provide for good power, although not at the level of H110/WW296

Thanks Kcih,

I just looked at my speer manual and blue dot falls between 2400, (which I've tried), and unique. I also states comparable performance to 2400. I don't have AA7 on that list. Have you used it for mag loads? Which of those two powders would be your pick for power? The double springs of the DE siphon off some of the gas to cycle the action. I want to squeeze out as much juice as is possible.

44Mag,
I'll start by saying I don't have a DE, so I don't have direct experience loading for them.

I've used quite a bit of AA#7 in the .44 for cast bullet loads, and have used for jacketed bullets also. The load I was using in my M29 Classic hunter was 18 grs behind a Hornady 240grXTP in Win brass with a Federal 155 primer. It was good for about 1400fps out of the 8 3/8" barrel, which gives up 100-150fps to full on H110/WW296 and Lil'gun loadings. You'll want to work up to that load, starting at about 15grs if you want to try it, as it is slightly above any published data I can currently find. Use the data at your own risk and with good reloading practices! I didn't have any problems with it, but revolvers vary greatly in tolerances, so be safe when working up your loads.

Blue Dot was pretty much one of the original magnum powders for a long time. I haven't used any for about 10 years and it was a bit dirty as I recall, things may have changed since then.

The reason behind my powder suggestions is that the burn rate may be more compatible with what you are trying to do, which if I read you right, is trying to find a powder that will work in both handguns and maintain good "Magnum" power, which the AA#7 will do. For hunting purposes, unless you are after something huge, a 240 at 13-1400fps will get it done. You'd be hard pressed to find any standard factory ammo that will exceed that loading by much if any. I guess the deciding factor would be if it will burn clean enough in your DE, as the SBH will digest about anything you throw in it.

As a side note, don't worry about the difference between H110 and WW296, they are the same powder made by the same company. There will be small lot to lot variations, as with any powder, but they are the same powder in different containers. That info comes from Hodgdon, and they reccomend, as would be expected, only the use of their data when loading either powder.