I am just getting into this game. I am curious what the best powder for hunting (if that matters) for my 8.5" barrel .44 mag. I plan on pumping out 320 grains of lead. Thanks fellas.;-> .223

AKA: Ben Morris

Winchester 296 or Hodgdon H110

Thanks Buddy,
I just ordered H110.Might be back on this issue Thx agains.- 223


AKA BEN MORRIS

Depending on the load desired for your 44 mag -

H110 or W296
2400
Blue Dot
Unique

H110 & W296 are almost twins, 2400 is still a good powder but you'll get max. vel. from H110 or W296 w/ the hvy. wt. bullets.

Unique is a medium burn rate powder, that is handy for shorter barrels, and / or lower intended velocities.

8.5 to 10.0 under a properly sized 250 grain hard cast, is a real pleasure to shoot.

Only problem in my experience, is getting it to meter consistently from my Dillon 550 powder measure. Bit of a PITA....

Although probably not the best for the ultimate scalded dog velocities, I have found 2400 to be a very versatile powder. It offers very good load densities, & has been proven accurate (in my 4" 629 at least) w/ Hornady 240 XTP's, & a variety of 250 & 265 hard cast bullets.

I understand that Win 296 and H 110 are not just "twins" but come off the same production line and get differnt labels affixed by Winchester and Hodgon.

I find to be a rather "dirty" powder compared to others.

Barstooler

I'm using 22grs. 296 with a "Penn Bullets" 330gr. "SSK" type hardcast bullet at 1400fps out of my 7.5" RH. Of course, seated to the lower crimp groove with a Redding profile crimp die. Nice load if you wish to knock King Kong of the Empire State building. Lots of penetration. Jay

I like 2400 & H110.

FWIW, I've gotten some impressive results with LilGun in my (45 Colt). Leads me to wonder if it has a use in the 44 mag, but I don't have any data.

For a 320 gr bullet and max loads, you'll be hard pressed to find a better powder than H-110 or W-296. They need magnum primers and cannot be downloaded (read warnings in the load manuals) but they definately accel when used for heavy bullets and max loads in magnum revolvers.

There are also more flexible and useful powders for other applications.

Shooting 320 grain slugs out of a 44 is not something your going to do everyday. When your hand gets tired of all that recoil, you can make some very good practice loads with 200 and 240 grain slugs and HS-6

I used to be a H-110/WW296 fan exclusively, but since trying and chronographing Lil'Gun, I've switched allegiance. I can't get enough H-110 into a .44 magnum case to equal the velocity of Lil'Gun, and the empty cases fall out of the cylinder.

I have been shooting 24 gr H110 240 gr JHP in 44 mag for 10 years, and I really like it. I get 1450 fps from a 6" barrel.

But in 357 mag, I have made the switch from H110 to LIL'GUN. There actually is a powder that works better than H110/W296, and it is LIL'GUN.
H110 still smells better to me when it burns.

If you are not after full power, then there are all those other pistol powders.

I don't bother with plinking loads in the .44 Magnum; all of mine are full-power hunting loads. And for these, I now use nothing other than H-110. It's worked very well over the years, and I see no reason to switch. With Cast Performance's 320 grain LBT-style bullet, I am getting 1400 fps from the 9.5" barrel of my Ruger SRH. I also get 1400 fps with the 250 grain Partition. Three-shot, 100-yard groups of 2" or less are quite common with either of these loads when my revolver is scoped.

i HAVE ORDERED 1 LB OF H11O AND 100 LBT 320 GR. I ALSO ORDERED 400 HORNADY 300 GR HP. i PLAN ON WORKING UP A LOAD FOR MY TAURUS .44. IT HAS AN 8.5" PORTED BARREL. THANKS FOE ALL OF YOUR REPLIES.

I ALMOST OFRGOT I ALSO ORDERED WINCHESTER LG PISTOL PRIMERS. lIKE I SAID I AM JUST GETTING STARTED SO THIS WILL BE INTERESTING.

quote:

Originally posted by .223 VARMINT-VENTALATOR:
I ALMOST OFRGOT I ALSO ORDERED WINCHESTER LG PISTOL PRIMERS. lIKE I SAID I AM JUST GETTING STARTED SO THIS WILL BE INTERESTING.

Make sure you order a Redding "Profile crimp die", you'll need it to prevent the bullet from creeping out when shooting heavy loads. Jay

Seems like the consensus is out on W296. My favorite for FULL power loads. Gives you a run for your money during a high volume shooting sesion. I like Unique for light ( is there such a thing??) magnum plinking loads.

WW680 is the ticket for bullets over 300 grs

quote:

Originally posted by MajorCaliber:
WW680 is the ticket for bullets over 300 grs

Major, What kind of velocity can you get from WW680? Maybe 1350 at best from a 7.5" bbl. I'm getting 1400fps. from 22grs. 296, 330HC.

Do they still make 680? Jay

Think Elmer answered this question a few years ago. Something about Hercules 2400 and a Lyman 429421.

Hammer

quote:

Originally posted by Hammer:
Think Elmer answered this question a few years ago. Something about Hercules 2400 and a Lyman 429421.

Hammer

Hammer, But thats a 250 grain bullet, he wants to shoot a 320. And Elmer has been dead for more than a few years. Jay

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:

quote:

Originally posted by Hammer:
Think Elmer answered this question a few years ago. Something about Hercules 2400 and a Lyman 429421.

Hammer

Hammer, But thats a 250 grain bullet, he wants to shoot a 320. And Elmer has been dead for more than a few years. Jay

The man needed help. He didn't even realize that he was asking about the wrong bullet weight for a 44. If Elmer thought that the man needed a 320, then Elmer would have left a load for the 320.

Besides, in Idaho we still honor and pay appropriate tribute to our forefathers.

Next thing you know people will be questioning the 333 OKH or shooting mule deer with a 270.

Hammer

Hammer, I may be totally misunderstanding your last post, but Elmer Keith took some horrible chances with the old balloon-head .44 Special cases and 2400. It is a wonder he didn't blow the topstrap off several revolvers.

And I acknowledge the contributions the man made, but he didn't walk on water. Anyone that deems the .30-'06 as being unsuitable for anything bigger than coyotes was far too opinionated for his own good. (And I understand the term well, have some of the disease myself.)

Regards,
doubless

I vote for H110. I get best velocity & accuracy
from my Ruger Redhawk over the years.
I think H110 is the best .44 Magnum Powder of all.
Best Regards, Tom

I agree with Mr. Hammer.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
... but he didn't walk on water...

Regards,
doubless

No one has ever claimed Elmer walked on water.

Only two men have walked on water.

Jesus Christ

Bear Bryant

Maybe, but the pool in Bear's neighborhood was shallow.

L'il Gun and 300 grain lead works fine in a rifle, never tested much in peestols.

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:

quote:

Originally posted by MajorCaliber:
WW680 is the ticket for bullets over 300 grs

Major, What kind of velocity can you get from WW680? Maybe 1350 at best from a 7.5" bbl. I'm getting 1400fps. from 22grs. 296, 330HC.

Do they still make 680? Jay

680 is no longer made by win, but AA sells 1680. I was getting a little over 1400fps from a 7 1/2", and 1850fps in my Marlin Carbine!

680 is no longer made by win, but AA sells 1680. I was getting a little over 1400fps from a 7 1/2", and 1850fps in my Marlin Carbine![/QUOTE]

How many grains do/did you use of 680, and exactly what bullet weight do you use?
Some info I've got, 26grs. under 300gr. Wilson HC. 1350fps.

Is 680 considered a dirty or clean powder? Just wondering. Jay

Well,
My results are in. I like 22.3 gr of H110 and hornandy 300 gr XTP'S. I Have found that, out of my gun it seems to work the best. I shot off all of my Cast 320 bullets and did enjoy them , But I will reserve that bullet For when I get stationed in Alaska. Hopefully in 2007. Any way thanks for all the info and maybe, just maybe, I won't blow my hands off. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! -BEN

Yep.. H-110 and 296 for Jacketed bullets. 2400 works well with jacketed bullets as well but with hard cast bullets, 2400 has no peer with max loads in my experience.
For light 44/40-.44 Special equivelent loads Unique works very well.

for hunting loads use only 110 and 296 with magnum primers only. the detenation will not be correct in cooler weather. an make shure of a solid crimp