« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?  (Read 1012 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline rybo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 82
Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« on: May 18, 2010, 05:15:04 PM »
That isn't H110 or Unique.

H110 works great for my hunting type loads, and unique shoots horrible for me.

Looking for a mid power load to shoot mostly cast plinking rounds. Any help?
Thanks.
Logged
Insert funny/sarcastic/philosophical/witty saying here.

Offline Kurt L

  • Trade Count: (15)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 684
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2010, 06:10:08 PM »
I used to burn lots of blue dot for hard hitting lead loads in both.
that was 20 years ago.
I am sure some members will have newer ideas to help you.
Logged
KURT LGo TO RIFLE RED RYDER SUPER MAG CARBINE

Offline cybin

  • Trade Count: (25)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 399
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2010, 06:12:14 PM »
2400 works reasonably well

cybin
Logged

Offline Bigeasy

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1986
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2010, 06:47:58 PM »
For years I have used 6.0 to 6.5 grains of red dot over a cast 240 / 250 grain bullet as an accurate plinking/small game load.  About 875 to 975 fps depending on the gun (44 mag's)  PS- Always check any load you hear of on line with a loading manual..

Larry
Logged
Personal opinion is a good thing, and everyone is entitled to one.  The hard part is separating informed opinion from someone who is just blowing hot air....

Offline john keyes

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 770
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2010, 07:58:15 PM »
yeah I got tired of getting my ass whipped with H110.

I can shoot full house 45/70 H322 405 gr bullet slobber knockers and like it better than my little 1894P with H110 loads.  that little dude will sting ya. then you wanna fling the gun as far as you can.

anyway its sad that blue dot went bananas. it was some good stuff. 
Now I'm using the rest of a 8lb keg of green dot and its working out really well.  get a set of dippers, you would be surprised they are pretty useful with the fluffy powders.
Logged
Though taken from established manufacturers' sources and presumed to be safe please do not use any load that I have posted. Please reference Hogdon, Lyman, Speer and others as a source of data for your own use.

Offline LaOtto222

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3828
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2010, 08:16:38 PM »
You took the words right out on my mouth. W296/H110 for heavy loads and Unique for LIGHT loads. But for medium loads, 2400 would be a better choice than Unique for the 357 and 44 with either cast or jacketed using starting loads for the 2400. Good Luck and Good Shooting
Logged
Great men have vision and resolve to make dreams come true.

Offline ButlerFord45

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1992
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2010, 02:04:33 AM »
+1 for 2400
Logged
Butler Ford
He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done.-Leonardo da Vinci
An armed society is a polite society-Robert A. Heinlein
Only the dead have seen the end of war- Plato
Lord, make my words as sweet as honey
tomorrow I may have to eat them- A lady's sweatshirt

Offline buck460XVR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2010, 02:40:22 AM »
Quote from: rybo on May 18, 2010, 05:15:04 PM
That isn't H110 or Unique.

H110 works great for my hunting type loads, and unique shoots horrible for me.

Looking for a mid power load to shoot mostly cast plinking rounds. Any help?
Thanks.



..........at what levels are you shooting Unique? My guns don't like really light loads with Unique, but when you get to the middle to upper end of it's parameter it does well. I've  gotten to like IMR4227 for  loads in between Unique and H110/W296.
Logged
"where'd you get the gun....son?"

Offline OLDHandgunner

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 696
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2010, 03:54:07 AM »
Another + for 2400.
Logged

Offline bolewine

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 86
  • Gender: Male
  • BUT I ONLY NEED ONE SHOT!!
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2010, 12:44:32 PM »
I like tight group in my >357 and 38spc
Logged
EATING WILD GAME FROM AROUND THE WORLD-AND PISSING P.E.T.A. OFF!

Offline wncchester

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3856
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2010, 01:32:50 PM »
They are magnums, use Unique for "light" loads and 2400 for max power with moderately heavy bullets.  Standard primers.
Logged
Common sense is an uncommon virtue

Offline teamnelson

  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4487
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2010, 01:51:30 PM »
Quote from: rybo on May 18, 2010, 05:15:04 PM
Looking for a mid power load to shoot mostly cast plinking rounds. Any help?

I'm using HS-6 in .44 and .38/.357 with swc bullets cast from wheel weights.
Logged
held fast

Offline jedman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (24)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 923
  • Gender: Male
  • Retired and livin the dream !
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2010, 02:27:26 PM »
  + 1 for HS 6,   meters great , positiion insensetive, accurate, try it !!
Logged
Current handi family, 24 ga./ 58 cal ,50-70,  45 smokeless MZ, 44 belted bodeen, 44 mag,.375 H&R (wildcat),375 Win.,357 max, .340 MF ( wildcat ), 8 mm Lebel, 8x57, .303 British, 270 x 57 R,(wildcat) 256 Win Mag, 2 x 243 Win,2 x 223 Rem. 7-30 Waters &20ga.,

Offline rybo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 82
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #13 on: May 19, 2010, 02:50:38 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Just a bit more info.
I'm shooting 200 SWC in the 44 with 9.8-12.5 gr. 

The 357 standard 158 SWC with 5.4-6.5 gr

As an aside, I did get awesome groups with a 140 gr JHP in the 357, but that was the only one.
Logged
Insert funny/sarcastic/philosophical/witty saying here.

Offline Dand

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (35)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2974
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #14 on: May 19, 2010, 03:19:26 PM »
I don't load for the 44 but do for 41 mag and 357. I like Unique but if your gun doesn't, I'm +1 on the 2400. Or for a long time I used Herco for cast in my 41 mag. Haven't used Herco in the 357.
Logged
NRA Life

liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA

Offline LaOtto222

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3828
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #15 on: May 19, 2010, 03:44:36 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Just a bit more info.
I'm shooting 200 SWC in the 44 with 9.8-12.5 gr. 

The 357 standard 158 SWC with 5.4-6.5 gr

As an aside, I did get awesome groups with a 140 gr JHP in the 357, but that was the only one.

Of Unique?

If One powder does not do it, try some thing else. Look at all these answers. If there was one that was THE magic powder, they would not sell much of the others.
Logged
Great men have vision and resolve to make dreams come true.

Offline Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18278
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #16 on: May 19, 2010, 04:18:11 PM »
2400 again
Logged
blue lives matter

Offline dieselman

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 88
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #17 on: May 19, 2010, 04:44:37 PM »
I like hp-38 for both with lswc's and I have also used true blue but, its dirty I think.
Logged

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #18 on: May 19, 2010, 04:57:01 PM »
W296 & Accurate #5
Logged
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline Pumah25

  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 109
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #19 on: May 19, 2010, 05:48:07 PM »
IMR 4227
Logged

Offline Dand

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (35)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2974
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #20 on: May 19, 2010, 09:37:44 PM »
Swampman, if the OP doesn't like H110 why do you think he'd like 296 - its the same stuff?

I think he needs to explore the fast to medium burning powders with medium level loads.

Maybe he should explore the 44 Special equivalent loads for the 44 mag and 38 Special level loads for the 357. Its not hard to do with red dot, green dot and similar powders. I'm still a bit surprised he doesn't like Unique.  Maybe he should try the Hodgdon Clays series like Universal. They are cleaner burning. He could also try the Winchester Super Target and Super Field [??? I think??] powders. They worked for me in medium level 357 loads; but the powder is really fine and worked its way out of my Lee ProAuto Disk measure.
Logged
NRA Life

liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA

Offline securitysix

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 558
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #21 on: May 19, 2010, 10:21:35 PM »
I'm not a fan of H110/WW296.  I don't load .44 Magnum, but I do load .45 Colt for a Ruger Blackhawk and .41 Magnum along with .357 Magnum.  I use Unique for my lighter loads in the .45 Colt and .357 magnum.  Haven't tried any lighter loads in the .41 magnum yet.  For my not quite so light loads, I use 2400 in the .357 and .41 mags and I like Lil'Gun for the .45 Colt, but Lil'Gun likes heavier bullets (think 240 grain and up in your .44 mag).

For the .357 and .41 Mag, if a max load of 2400 won't get me where I want to be...well, that's never happened.  I've been really happy with 2400.  If I couldn't use 2400, I'd probably give Blue Dot a closer look.  I've mostly been happy with it, I just like 2400 better. 

I also love Unique.  I use it for .357 Magnum, .45 Colt, .44 Special, and .45 ACP.  Once I get some .41 caliber lead bullets, Unique is the first powder I'll go to there, and once I run out of the old canisters of Bullseye I've been using to load .38 Special, I'll probably go to Unique for those, too.

But you don't like Unique, and that's fine.  Different strokes and all that. Like others have said, you might give Red Dot a look. 
Logged

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #22 on: May 20, 2010, 12:39:26 AM »
H110 & W296 is not the same stuff.  W296 is without a doubt the very best .44 mag powder.
Logged
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline GH1

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 939
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #23 on: May 20, 2010, 01:09:14 AM »
Have you tried Bullseye?  I use it in my .38/.357 target loads.
GH1 :)
Logged
I owe my life to an organ donor

Offline Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18278
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #24 on: May 20, 2010, 02:09:43 AM »
same powder just the possibility of differnt lots. Back 10 years ago there was enough variation between lots of it to make a small differnce. Now hogdon sells ww powders and its the same thing.
Quote from: Swampman on May 20, 2010, 12:39:26 AM
H110 & W296 is not the same stuff.  W296 is without a doubt the very best .44 mag powder.
Logged
blue lives matter

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #25 on: May 20, 2010, 03:27:45 AM »
Whatever
Logged
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline buck460XVR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #26 on: May 20, 2010, 08:27:06 AM »
Quote from: Swampman on May 20, 2010, 03:27:45 AM
Whatever

If you don't believe Lloyd, maybe you'll believe the manufacturer, Hodgdon.  E-mail them and ask......I have. Otherwise go to their website and look at their load data. Every load recipe they list with H110/W296 is exactly the same. But you are correct,

Quote from: Swampman on May 20, 2010, 03:27:45 AM
W296/H110 is without a doubt the very best .44 mag powder
Logged
"where'd you get the gun....son?"

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #27 on: May 20, 2010, 08:57:51 AM »
They don't shoot the same.  The manuals list different loads for them.  I won't use 110 but I think 296 is the best .
Logged
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline High Brass

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 308
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #28 on: May 21, 2010, 07:18:10 AM »
For mild lead cast loads I have used TITEGROUP and Universal with excellent results in both cartridges.
Logged

Offline JustaShooter

  • Trade Count: (23)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1027
  • Gender: Male
Re: Good powder to double in 44 mag & 357 mag?
« Reply #29 on: May 21, 2010, 05:51:06 PM »
Quote from: Swampman on May 20, 2010, 12:39:26 AM
H110 & W296 is not the same stuff.  W296 is without a doubt the very best .44 mag powder.

It might have been different in the past, but today they are the same.  Period.  Here's an email from Hogdon:

Quote
OK, let me make this as clear as possible. The only difference between
H110 and Winchester 296 is the label on the container. There is no
other difference.

Mike Daly
Customer Satisfaction Manager
The Hodgdon Family of Fine Propellants
Hodgdon Smokeless Powders
Winchester Legendary Propellants
IMR Propellants
Pyrodex
Triple Seven
Goex Black Powder

If you don't believe me, ask them yourself: http://www.hodgdon.com/contactus.html

Just a Shooter
Logged
Christian, Husband, Father
NRA Life Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer

Anything I post in these forums is my personal opinion formed by my own interpretation of the topic.
IANAL and anything I say is not intended to be nor should it be taken as legal advice.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »