Need some powder and primer opinions for 44 mag using the 240 grain bullets and up and 45acp using the heavier 230 grain bullets.

With the 44 try W-296. With the 45 try W-231.

quote:

Originally posted by 30378:
With the 44 try W-296. With the 45 try W-231.

I've heard that H110 is very close to W296 do you know this to be true?

h110 and w296 are similar powders, different loadings. Both are excellent choices for hunting loads. Start no less than 10% from max loads and apply heavy crimp. Any large magnum primers will do, I personally use winchester do to availability.

John

For the 44mag, try VihtaVouri N110, good velocity and a lot less flash and fouling. For the 45acp have used either Unique or Bullseye. Large Magnum primers for the 44, standard for the 45.

I use Unique for both moderate .44 mag loads and for .45acp with cast or jacketed bullets.

For heavy .44 mag loads I'll use W296 or it's cousin H110 if the Winchester powder is in short supply.

W231 seems to be a bit cleaner in .45acp but not so much that I prefer it to Unique. I've also used W231 for light to moderate .44 mag loads.

Basically, I've standardized on Unique and 90% of the handgun rounds I shoot will be fueled by ole sooty, which was one of the first non-black powders made available to shooters before 1900. I use standard large rifle primers for everything including the W296/H110 loads with perfect satisfaction.

PS - I also like the smell of Alox in the morning.

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
I've heard that H110 is very close to W296 do you know this to be true?

Hodgden's 110 and Winchester's 296 are both made in the same facility and distributed by Hodgden. The following load is copied from Hodgden's website and is representative of the duplication of load data:

quote:

240 GR. NOS JHP Winchester 296 .429" 1.600" 23.0 1413 25,200 CUP 24.0 1522 36,200 CUP
240 GR. NOS JHP Hodgdon H110 .429" 1.600" 23.0 1413 25,200 CUP 24.0 1522 36,200 CUP

The two powders are generally accepted as being identical.

I use Alliant 2400 in my 44 Mag., and HS6 in the 45 ACP.

Mild or wild? Unique, WSF & Universal can be used for mid.-max loads in the 45acp & midrange loads w/ 240gr lead bullets in the 44mag. For upper end 44mag loads, you'll need slower powders like 2400, AA#9, H110/W296 (identical in current manuf. lots). Both take std. LP primers. If you are using AA#9 or H110, you'll need mag primers. As noted, do not download the H110 or even the AA#9. They are designed as max. effort powders.

unique and standard primers will do both just fine.
6 grs in the acp and 7-10 in the 44 mag

Unique. Primer won't matter.