Back when SAAMI allowed for higher pressures in the .44 Mag, I loaded and shot several tens of thousands of rounds using various 245 to 250-grain gas checked bullets. My load was 24.5 grains of H110/W296 and federal magnum primers, which gave around 1400 FPS depending on the gun. I personally would use a gas check and magnum primer with H110 or 296. Also, I never found a double action that would stand up to the pounding of several thousand H110 loads without shooting loose, but a Ruger Super Blackhawk or Freedom Arms will.
If shooting a flat base cast bullet, like Steelhead, I would go Unique or 2400 and a standard (NOT magnum) primer. I also would forgo using H110, except on a very limited basis, in most any double action, especially a S&W.
