favorite powder for 44 mag?

[ccoker]

starting to reload again, used to load rifles and shotguns a long time ago..

have a blackhawk bisley hunter in 44 and want to use the 240g XTPs and perhaps some hardcast and am looking for powder recommendations...
also have a 357 mag that I may reload for and so, one powder for both would be ideal

lil gun, titegroup, etc..

looking for around 1200 FPS or so out the 7.5" barrel and have been reading the charts for powder charges

just looking for powder recommendations not load recommendations really

[John Traveler]

WW 296 or H110 do the trick for me in factory duplication loads.  Large Pistol Magnum primers and full charges.

An added bonus is that both powders do very well in full-charge .357 Magnum loads.

[warf73]

Red dot for my plinker load(240gr keith style boolit) and Winchester 296(240gr XTP) for hunting loads.

[Graybeard]

That would be a toss up for me. If I want full max power loads then I go with the twins (W2296/H110) but when I want less than full max velocity and with excellent accuracy I go with H2400. I've probably used a bit more of the first but not by a wide margin. Either will get you 1200 with a 240 cast.

[Catfish]

I use Win 296 for hot loads, ( It`s the same as H-110 but I can get it cheaper.) and Bullseye for plinking loads.

[astrix]

I'm with Graybeard on this one.H-110/W-296 for full power loads and 2400 for
other loads with 240 grn. XTP or Hornady 265 grn. interlock FP.

[cowboyup453]

I think if I wanted just one powder for both up to 1200 fps as you mention I would use Unique.
That being said I use H110 for hunting loads and unique or trail boss for plinking loads in both 357 and 44. Just my 2 cents.

[Blackhawk44]

For velocities of 1100 to 1300 fps in both cartridges, I'd take 2400 without hesitation.  Its easier to develop accurate loads over a much wider range of velocities than with 110/296, 4227 and Lil Gun.  Blast is less than the ball powders also.  Unique is limited to about 1000fps or so.  Blue Dot takes too much work, doesn't quite get the speed, becomes touchy at higher pressures and is variable achieving accuracy. 

[Dusty Miller]

I found Blue Dot to be a really dirty powder and gave up on it right away.  As for a new comer to .44 mag loading you'd do well to get a quality reloading manual and stick to the loads they give in as much as a .44 mag is not a beginner's gun by any stretch of the imagination and you could get into real trouble in a hurry by not stick'n to the recommended loading parameters.

[OLDHandgunner]

I've always used 2400 or H-110/W-296 for hunting loads with both jacketed & cast.

[ccoker]

thanks
I have handloaded in the past and have several manuals on hand and have been researching loads here and the web

I am not seeking max velocity and won't be pushing the load limits, I want tight groups with enough velocity to do the job hunting

my gun shoots the factory Hornady 240g XTP load very accurately, about 1.5" at 50 yards and 3 at 100
I wouldn't mind a tad less kick but like the flat trajectory of this load and will be hunting with it this weekend

I went ahead and picked up some 2400 yesterday, it seemed to get universally good recommendations

thanks

[Questor]

Today I use Win 231 for 800fps plinking loads and Win 296 for full power magnum loads. I used to use 2400 for both applications. 2400 is underrated today. It really is an excellent versatile powder. I just got in the habit of using 296.  But it's not a bad habit because 296 was developed with full power magnum pistol loads and it does a great job at it. 296 and Hodgdon H110 are the standards for such loads.

[Drilling Man]

  I use H-110 for my heavier loads,  and Unique for my lighter loads....

  DM

[warrior1]

someday when you are into the experimenting loads mood and you are shooting cast try blue dot . my own experience out of a srh 44 mag is a 240 gr hard cast hollow point over a bit less than max turned out to be one of my most accurate loads.
i'll use this load as a huntin load when i carrry this gun. by the way the primer is a winchester large pistol and starline brass. good shootin dan.

[mcwoodduck]

I use Blue Dot.  I load a 180 grain bullet and its a hot special in the mag case.  Simply add a 240 and you get a medium magnum load.  Add a few grains and you have a heavy mag load.  The hot special is 1,000 FPS out of my 6 inch M29 for bowling pins.  The 240 is a 1200 FPS load and will cycle my Ruger Deerfield.
I like Blue dot because I can use it for my 20ga-1oz,12ga 11/4oz, 10ga 2oz, .45 ACP and the .357mag I reload and can buy it in bulk.  I also use Green dot for similar reasons with the shotguns and handgun loads.
Hercules has or had an on line loading manual.  I do not have the site as it's pouring rain and my reloading stuff is out in the man cave reloading shed.  I'll get it for you tomorrow.

[mcwoodduck]

www.alliantpowder.com