I have just aquired a NEF in 44 Rem Mag. It came with a 22" barrel and it shoots into less than an inch at 100 yards with 240 grain bullets. I haven't fired it across a crony yet but I believe that I have selected near maximum charges for this cartridge. I do have a problem in that the fired case is always covered in powder residue; the black smutty stuff. Normally this indicates low pressure in my bottle necked rifle cartridges and I think this is the case with the new 44 Mag. How far should I push this cartridge in a break action rifle? I am using about 23.5 gr of H110 for the 240 grain bullets and 22.0 gr of H110 for the 265 grain bullets. Funny thing with these loads. The heavy bullets shoot 1.2 inches higher at 100 yards than the lighter bullets. Can anyone suggest a better load for these bullets.

If it shoots one inch at 100, why do you want to change it? Most, maybe all of my 44 loads leave some soot on the case. If it is grouping well, you are getting at least enough pressure to burn well, don't sweat it.

The Speer reloading manual allows a bit more powder in a 44 rifle than handgun.

Are you using a magnum primer and a heavy crimp?H110 is one of the powders that needs both...I found out the hard way...in my early days of reloading I didn't believe the reloading manuals that recommended magnum primers and a heavy crimp for slow and/or ball powders...and some of my full tilt .44 mag rounds sounded(and acted) like squib loads due to the powder failing to burn completely. Talk about powder residue...I looked like a chimney sweep!

I'd call the load you have a "keeper".....I've had the same problem with the 45 long colt. Just run the cases thru a vibro to clean them and keep shooting.
My manual shows a max load of 26 grains H110 with a 240 bullet BTW.

Vapodog is right-----The black is normal.

H110 is an excellent powder for the 44

And it's typical that full load pistol rounds shoot higher---it's a recoil thing

Thanks to all of you for the replies. This is my first experience with the 44 mag and I just didn't expect to see the soot on near max charges. Happy St Patty's day.