Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Need powder suggestion for 44 mag

with a catch, would also like the powder to perform well in 357 mag, 357 sig and possibly 9mm. The 9mm isnt that important. If there is a powder that is just amazing in 44 that doesnt work well with theother feel free to list it as im not complete opposed to stocking poweder for just 44 mag, would just be nice to buy in bulk of there is a good all around powder for all 3.

I depends on what level of 44 Magnum.

yeah, kinda figured that would come up, the bulk of the shooting will be mild loads 210-240gr and then stepping it up for the hunting loads, using 300gr+ jacketed bullets.

I would look at Hodgdon Universal. I use it in .38/.357 loads as well as light to mid-range loads in .44 spec/.44 mag. It's consistent and clean burning.

Yup. Universal is usable in all four rounds, but not for heavy loads in either the 357 or 44 Mags. I'd look at Accurate #9 or the old standby 2400 for those.

Unique for mild practice, AA#9 for full power.

Swifty

Im starting to think that in order to cover all the different weight bullets and slow-fast velocities im going to have to buy a dedicated 44 mag powder.

Id also like to not have to use magnum primers

If you do that, one powder that has caught my attention besides H110/296 is VV N110. It gives up very little speed, maybe 20 of so feet per second, but the increase in accuracy and cleanliness is very noticeable. I've had loads that shot 3" with 296 shrink to just over 1" with N110, again with negligible loss of speed.

Those groups are at 50 yards.

It's downsides are it is more expensive, and does not meter as well.

But, I myself am willing to use it for it's increase in accuracy of my hunting loads for the .44 Magnum.

For top end loads I use H-110/296 in 44 and 357

H110 has been recommended highly on other boards as well.

Yep. H110 works for me.

H110/WW296 is great for full power loads. That said, there have been issues with it for lower velocity stuff and there are a lot of better choices for those type of loads.

While I haven't used it yet Power Pro 300-MP is giving good power while using standard primers I believe. Brian Pierce did an article on it a little while back and Alliant has recipes on its webpage. They don't have anything loads with it for the 357 Sig or 9mm though.

300g Speer at 1349 FPS

2400 actually worksd better with standard primers in the .44 Magnum. Another good, flexible powder is Ramshot's True Blue.
I've used both the old and new 2400, H110, H4227, Unique, Ramshot's True Blue, and Bullseye in the .44 Magnum. I prefer 2400 as it is made these days. Works best with standard primers, give near maximum velocities, and uses slightly less powder at maximum load levels than H110 or 4227 for a tad less recoil. E

Somewhere, there's going to be a compromise. I don't believe you'll find one optimum powder for all 3 calibers. Unique, 231, Universal, and powders of that class can make all 3 calibers functional, but what's best for the Sig, won't impress the magnums much. I keep coming back to Unique.

I've not tried 2400. I find H110 much more pleasant than Unique, more recoil yes, but more of a push. This is through a 4in Magnaported 629 so maybe that makes a difference.

Take a close look at Accurate No.7 and similar powders, they won't quite get you to maximum velocity in the magnums, but they will get you close.

Really 50 to 100 fps doesn't mean much at all.

Look at the mid speed powders like Power Pistol, HS-6, and maybe Longshot. The won't go to H-110/296 levels, but they will get you useful loads and will also work in the 9mm.

Mark in GA

for full duty loads in 44 mag i have used Win 296 (according to one noted writer, H 110 same thing), for the past 28 years--full power with safe pressures and easy extraction--i load the 454 casull with same powder...

if loading "mid loads" i used to use blue dot, which worked fairly well for mid loads in 357 mag and 44 mag, and real well for target or full power in 9mm too.

but for the past 18 years i've switched to WSF (Win Super Field). a great powder for 9mm--whether target or full power loads; "ok" but not really ideal for 357 mag mid loads (cases are too long, therefore powder lays down on bottom side of case); and fairly good for mid load 44 mag and 454 casull, and also somewhat ok for heavier loads in 44 and 454 casull, but will not give that ultimate power as the win 296 does...

there are so many improvements in propellants these days, that there is "more than a wheelbarrow full" to pick from.

win 296 is my ultimate dedicated choice for full duty 357 mag, 44 mag, and 454 casull--i use wsf for almost all the other smaller rounds...