Looking over handloads for the .44 mag., I'm confused as to why some loads call for magnum primers and other are standard large pistol primers. I've seen this using the same powder, but thought the burn rate of the powder was the reason for choosing one or the other. I have even heard it can be dangerous to use large pistol primers with slower powders like H110. Do any of you have thoughts on this?

Looking over handloads for the .44 mag., I'm confused as to why some loads call for magnum primers and other are standard large pistol primers. I've seen this using the same powder, but thought the burn rate of the powder was the reason for choosing one or the other. I have even heard it can be dangerous to use large pistol primers with slower powders like H110. Do any of you have thoughts on this?
BigBlue,
Most manuals will recommend a mag primer for Win. 296. To my knowledge it is the same powder as H110. For the 44 mag. some folks use mag primers all together. I recommend using what ever the manual calls, for be it just large pistol or large pistol mag. Hope I have not confused you. I think I have confused myself :D
Crookedshot

No, you did fine, Crookedshot -

I find for handgun reloading that sticking with what the manuals recommend is a good way to go.

For rifles, I generally don't get the mag primers out until I'm using a powder in the slow burn rate of Alliant RL-22 and slower.

Thanks for thee replies guys. I think I'll go and buy some of each. I started reloading for the .45 Colt and they really switch back and forth with type of primers. Crooked shot, I believe you are correct abot the 296 and H110 being the same. Hodgdon makes both, the difference will be the same as if you bought two different batches of H110. Hodgdon will admit they are the same, but Winchester won't.

BigBlue,
You could also use Winchester primers if you like, or they are available in your area, as they work for both types of loads. WW296 and H110 are the same thing.

I use CCI mag primers on all my 44 mag loads, I hunt in New England areas, and temps get nice and cold;) This insures me a good ignition, If you look at loads for the 44 mag in your manuals, they seem to use the mag primers close to the max loads, more powder, need more ignition, mag primers solve this could be problem. I have found my accuracy is better, than using standard primers,.Most my loads I worked are at max or near the max load, once I get something that works and is within reason I stick with it and mag primers are the way to go for me using magnum revolvers. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

H110 and WW296 the same burning rate, yes but one is graphite (H) based and the other nitrocell based.

I think magnum primers are typically used with double base powders or ball powders such as W296 which is also marketed as H110, both of which were made by Primex Technologies, Inc. which is now part of General Dynamics Combat Systems Group. Supposedly ball powders are more difficult to ignite than single base powders. In the end I stay within published data and always work up loads carefully.

Hi, Swany:
I don't believe I've heard of a graphite based powder. Could you please explain?

Bye
Jack