Gentlemen, I am bringing up this topic on behalf of one of my hunting partners.
He has very recently aquired a Thomson Center in .44mag and has just started some handloading.
He has found that IMR 4198 does not burn very well as the unburned grains of powder are clearly visible in the barrel after a shot.
His question is if it would be advisable to use a standard large rifle primer, or if he would be better using a faster more specific for the cartridge power.
Thanks.
Montero

Montero Have him switch to H-110 or 296, or what ever you can get thet is their equivelent in Europe. Even in 44 Magnum rifles, I have had 3 over the years, you should still use the slow pistol powders and Magnum Pistol primers.

montero,

To avoid problems that you described

N110 Vithavuori
Sp3 Vectan

I think these 2 powders are easy to find even in Spain

The problem is not the primers, it is the fact he is using a rifle powder that is WAY TOO SLOW for the 44 Mag.
Tell him to get any of the proper powders ( 680 is as slow as one can go) for pistol either the AA#2/Bullseye, AA#5/231, or 2400/H110/296 range depending what he is wanting to do.
All of them and others in the same "speed" range will perform admirably if the are loaded for the velocity ranges that are proper for the speed of the powder.

LouisB

Can you use large rifle primer in a 44mag never heard of that befoure.Not that I would try that I stick to my reloading book. That is what he is asking right.Other than the powder.

I've often used LR primers in the .44 Mag. The main differences are in primer cup hardness and there are no problems if you properly develop the load.

4198 is NOT the correct powder. H110/W296 or similar powder provides the best performance in the .44 Mag with 200-300 grain bullets.

In a single shot pistol it should not be a problem but in a revolver it could be disastrous! Rifle primers are approximately .010" longer/taller than large pistol. The possible results are obvious.

I would recommend that you friend switches to a magnum primer and one of the magnum pistol powders like H110, W296, AA#9, N110, etc....

I really did not think about it until after I posted. If Spain is like some European countries they may not be able to have large amounts of powder. Heck I try to stick to a minimum of 8 pounds per powder, but that would exceed some countries total limits and my orders to Jeff Bartlett or Hi-Tech would send those governments into a dither.
How hard/expensive is it to buy powder in Spain?

LouisB

Thank you, gentlemen.
I will transfer your advise to him and talk him into switching to a more specific powder.
BER007,
You were not completely right, my friend. believe it or not, the only power available these days in Spain is Vectan.
TCLouis,
I guess that answers your question. Regarding the price, it is around 35$ per pound.
Montero

montero,
[QB]BER007,
You were not completely right, my friend. believe it or not, the only power available these days in Spain is Vectan.
/QB][/QUOTE]

So there is no problem at all for you with SP3 from Vectan.

With this powder you can use LR or LP Mag primer, but don't try the LR primer.

I can't believe Spain belongs to EU and not able to import finnish powder!!! Now I can't live without Vithavuori powders

35 bucks a pound??????
Gadfrey I may have consider other things to do if I had to pay that for powder.
I squeal like a little girl if I pay the 15 bucks a pound or so that is the going price for most powders and far far less for the milsurp that I shoot a lot of.

Yes we have it good here, and TN is one of the better states to live and hunt!

Something like 13 deer a year plus the extra seasons, turkeys are now EVERYWHERE . . . life is good . . . no GREAT!

LouisB

Spoiled and loving it