hey guys, just wanted to see what you guys were using for whitetail in the .44 mag. I have taken a couple deer with a .357 in antlerless seasons in the past. not looking for max. power, just a good combo thats enough without being hard on parts.{mine or the revolvers} thanks, Chris..

If you are willing to try a less than very popular powder, try 11 grains of Accurate Arms #5 behind a 240-250 grain SWC, and ignite it with a standard Large Pistol primer. A very accurate and comfortable load, and one recommended by no less an authority than Finn Aagard, who I would deem one of the more knowledgable late outdoor writers.

Unique, HP-38, WW231 are all good for lighter loads. 21.0 of 2400 with a cast or jacketed bullet works well. 24.0 of 296 or H110 with either type bullet works well. HS-6 is another good powder for mid-range loads.

Doubless, my only problem with AA#5 is the dust will cause detonation problems if allowed to collect. It's been a while since I've heard of this problem, and in the 40 S&W, but I never warmed up to it after that.

21 grains of 2400 and a 240/250 keith or 240 grain xtp for me.

Hmmm, I had not heard of the AA#5 load. What kind of velocities do you get?
Peter.

7.5 grains of trailboss and a 240 cast would do the trick.

Peter, the AA load runs right at 1100 fps; plenty of medicine for a whitetail, as they are very thin-skinned. In fact, I doubt a hog would run far if hit with a projectile launched at 1100.

MS Hitman, I have used AA #5 for almost 20 years. Where are you getting this "dust"? It doesn't happen with my Uniflo...

There was a problem with the AA#5 detonating in .40 S&W cases. Accurate Arms came out and stated one needed to distribute the finer particles (dust) back amongst the grains of powder. They had determined this to be the cause of problem. That's where I'm getting the "dust"; certainly from no pixie.

Hitman, that is not what Marty Liggins is quoted as saying in the article linked to below. In fact, he disputes that notion entirely, said the powder couldn't separate. I'm not calling anybody a liar, just trying to keep the facts straight

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/tapioca.html

That's fine Doubless, a friend's .40 detonated with a AA#5 load in it and that was determined to be cause. So no one's calling anyone a liar; just different perspectives on the situation.

Sure seems like a lot of plastic guns coming apart from a single lot of powder, and all in the same caliber... wonder why you never hear of a revolver blowing up from AA $5? Detonation should be detonation, shouldn't it?

One final question for my own education: how was it determined the problem was AA $5?

I think there would be grounds for quite a lawsuit if you could prove the powder was the problem, but my thought process is not like most folks'.

It was a SIG 229 that the round detonated in. The powder in the can had mechanically broken down and there was a large amount of dust from the powder in the can. This increased surface area of the dust greatly increased the burn rate causing the round to detonate.

As to why I haven't heard about many or any of these; I do not follow this. I have been told there are reports of this thing happening.