I was wondering if anyone has used H110 to reload for 44 special. The only pistol caliber I reload for is 44mag, only pistol powder on hand is H110. I am planning to start loading 44 special . I know it certainly isn't optimum but can H110 be used or should I get another powder? Any suggestions? The bullet will be a 240gn XTP. Thanks.

It can be used but there are better choices for 44 Special velocities. H110 is (1) harder to light and (2) requires heavier charge weights than some of the faster powders that are optimal for that cartridge.

(1) is sort of acedemic as it will still go "bang"; but you may have erratice velocities with charges that approximate traditional Special velocities.

(2) simply means you'll get more shots per pound and somewhat likely you'll find better accuracy.

It is my understanding that H110 is very sensitive to under loading if you can't find a 44special load for it I would not load it.

I would recommend not using H110 in the 44mag for less than maximum effort loads

For 44Spl even a faster burning propellant like Bluedot is too slow, Think powders that work WELL in a 38special

Say for example... Unique

AD

H110 is designed to work at much higher pressures then the 44 spcl. The burning would be erratic at best. There are a lot of better choices.

AA #9 is a better choice for hotter loads as is good old 2400. For standard loads, Unique has never failed me.

H110 is not a good powder to be using at less than maximum loadings. Here is Hodgdon's warning:

Reduce H110 and Winchester 296 loads 3% and work up from there. H110 and Winchester 296 if reduced too much will cause inconsistent ignition. In some cases it will lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a hazardous situation (Barrel Obstruction). This may cause severe personal injury or death to users or bystanders. DO NOT REDUCE H110 LOADS BY MORE THAN 3%.

When experimenting with H-110 in thr 38 specisl and .357 Mag I successfully stuck cast bullets in the barrel. You run the same risk with the 44 special until you reach 44 Mag loads. roger

Hodgdon HS6 or Win. 231 are both good all round pistol powders. H110 is a "magnum" powder designed specifically for 44 magnum, and magnum loads.

FYI! H-110 works great in a 38 special rifle. roger

quote:

Originally posted by Rothke:
Hodgdon HS6 or Win. 231 are both good all round pistol powders. H110 is a "magnum" powder designed specifically for 44 magnum, and magnum loads.

+1 on the WW 231

Thanks for the replies. I will go buy another powder for the 44 special like Unique. H110 is out of the running. Thanks all for helping me stay safe.

think of it this way ..
to make h110 or win296 "work" you will use less powder in a 44 special .. but the same pressure.

make sense?

I'm so confused roger

I can't tell you how many pounds of Unique I've burned over the years. I used 7.5 grs in the Special case under the Lyman 429421 Keith cast boolit. In the magnum case 8.5 grs gave about the same velocity. Around 900-1000 fps in my SBH. Shoots good in the Marlin too.

Trail Boss does well in the .44 Sp. I use 7.3 grains under a 210 grain cast bullet in my converted Ruger BH. It fills the case to the base of the bullet and generates about 900 FPS.