I've decided to use my .44 Magnum for my handgun deer hunting this year. I have some 240 grain XTPs on hand as well as Win 296. Can anyone give me a good load for these components? I'll be using a 12" Bullberry Contender barrel. Thanks!
Posts: 173 | Location: Meadowview Virginia | Registered: 24 July 2002
sorry havn't tried w296 in my 7 1/2" redhawk. but 21.0gr of alliant 2400 gives good accuracy and 1500fps with a 240gr xtp in mine. i bought a can of h110 to use in my 14" contender. anyone shoot the 200gr xtps? do any good with them?
I'm loading 23.5 gr W296 under a Nosler 240 gr JHP for my 14" Contender. I get 1600 fps with this load. Kyode, I've had good luck with the Nosler 200 gr JHP out of a 10" TC Contender barrel. Used 23 gr 2400. I've noticed my new can of 2400 seems "faster" than the one I used for the 23 gr load so be cautious.
[ 10-26-2003, 03:03: Message edited by: Greg K ]
Posts: 1230 | Location: Saugerties, New York | Registered: 12 March 2002
ClerkofKirk, check out Winchester's website. There is a relaoding manual that you can download. It shows a load of 24 grains of 296 under a 240 grain HSP with a velocity of 1430 fps and 38,000 cup. It doesn't specify the barrel length for the velocity given. You need to read the introductory information to determine if that is max or what.
Test Specifications Firearm Used: T/C Contender Bbl. Length/Twist: 14"/1x20"
Here are the loads right out of the Sierra manual for W296 along with the test specs. I have used 24 grains of W296 under a .240 grain XTP out of my 12" contender for several years now with a lot of success. My longest shot was 95 yards which took a nice 8 point. He turned, took about 10 steps or so and went down in a pile. The bullet snapped one shoulder and exited out the other side. You can't ask for much better performance then that. The XTP is a good bullet. I still use it in my .44 mag. and my .444 Marlin both in Contender pistol barrels.
H110,W296,AA9,N110,IMR4227,BlueDot,2400 and many others will work great in the 44mag. My top picks would be 296 & H110 for hunting but in the barrel's i've had, accuracy was best with IMR4227 and the 200 to 220gr bullets with the Nosler 200JHP at the top of the list and a Speer 200 close behind. That's at 75 to 100yds. The Nosler 200s are kinda thin for hunting deer sized game but will work if a well placed shot is taken.
The two 240gr loads I have used the most for hunting deer are Sierra 240JHP pushed by 23gr of 296 and a 240XTP pushed by 23.5gr of H110 both using CCI Mag primers. Both shot around 3" at 100.
W296 does not like low loading density. I have used this powder for YEARS and can tell you that it is safe at limits above and below what Winchester supplies. Check manuals like Nosler, Speer and Sierra for data. I know that numerous people claim that H110 and W296 are the same powder, if so, they must vary A BUNCH from lot to lot as i have gotten different results for these two powders.
Good luck with load development and post back your results.
Posts: 1574 | Location: Western Pennsylvania | Registered: 12 September 2002
You might remember that we once had this discussion of H110/W296 on the old TC-List. They STILL talk about it (and I suppose me... ) as one of the great boondoggle discussions.
TFOTM is that it is the same powder and it must be from different lots. A comparison of loading manual data over several years shows that there is about a 4% difference between W296 and H110 in max charge weight and performance (for the same charge weights) but also between presumably different lots of each of the powders when new data is developed (as with or for new bullets). However, there were instances, in the same manual, where max charge weight differed by as much as 15% (where it is generally agreed that you should reduce loads from max by no more than 10%). While there are some loaders who use the powders interchangeably, I don't recommend that. Ideally, one should work up for each new lot or at least stick with one brand.
However, this powder is currently the best performer I can find for my .44 Mags.
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002
I ended up using 24.0 grains of Win 296 with the Hornady 240 gr XTP. It shot 1.5" group at 100 yards and about the same at 50 yards. 2"low at 100 yards and 1" high at 50 yards. Should work OK.
Posts: 173 | Location: Meadowview Virginia | Registered: 24 July 2002
You might remember that we once had this discussion of H110/W296 on the old TC-List.
Nope, didnt follow it as i didnt see any point to the whole topic. I do not and will not substitute one for the other so it is a non issue for me.
My point being, consult several manuals and you will find that there is lots of data (and data with a start load and a max load not just "the load") for good ole W296, me favorite 357mag powder.
EDIT: BTW, Thanks Hobie for the link, in your signature, to my board!
quote: My point being, consult several manuals and you will find that there is lots of data (and data with a start load and a max load not just "the load") for good ole W296, me favorite 357mag powder.
Mike,
I agree, but said it different. Despite confirmation of the "sameness" of the powders, there is a difference when the various labs work up loads. Thus, one should consult the manual appropriate to a particular bullet and work up from 10% less than max.
To show you how obsessed one of us gun nuts can be (as if you don't already know), I went through some 10 manuals comparing the max and min loads for both powders where listed and for all cartridges for which H110/W296 was listed. All the data went into a spreadsheet so that I could easily ( ) calculate averages, etc. Taught me something about the loading manual writers and researchers and my loading practices.
You're welcome for the link. I think it is a good board (even if it is down right now... ).
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002
That certainly is good enough for hunting deer clerkofkirk. I'm sure if you tweaked it you could get better accuracy out of a Bullberry barrel though. Let us know how you do and post some pics when you get your deer.
I agree, but said it different. Despite confirmation of the "sameness" of the powders, there is a difference when the various labs work up loads. Thus, one should consult the manual appropriate to a particular bullet and work up from 10% less than max.
To show you how obsessed one of us gun nuts can be (as if you don't already know), I went through some 10 manuals comparing the max and min loads for both powders where listed and for all cartridges for which H110/W296 was listed. All the data went into a spreadsheet so that I could easily ( ) calculate averages, etc. Taught me something about the loading manual writers and researchers and my loading practices.
Whew, i thought that i was the only sicko that takes every available piece of data they can find and then places it in a database for comparison and future reference, LOL! I have done the same thing in various calibers and am amazed at the differences.
Posts: 1574 | Location: Western Pennsylvania | Registered: 12 September 2002
quote:Originally posted by clerkofkirk: I ended up using 24.0 grains of Win 296 with the Hornady 240 gr XTP. It shot 1.5" group at 100 yards and about the same at 50 yards. 2"low at 100 yards and 1" high at 50 yards. Should work OK.
Sounds like a great load and should serve you well! Let us know how they perform if you get the opportunity.
Posts: 1574 | Location: Western Pennsylvania | Registered: 12 September 2002
![[Cool]](images/icons/cool.gif){kind=icon}
i bought a can of h110 to use in my 14" contender. 
![[Roll Eyes]](images/icons/rolleyes.gif){kind=icon}
) as one of the great boondoggle discussions.![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif){kind=icon}
![[Big Grin]](images/icons/grin.gif){kind=icon}
