Favorite powder for the 44mag with 250 SWC

[Leadlum]

I was wondering whats eveyones favorite powder for reloading 250gr SWC-K bullets in the 44 mag is? I`ve been using Blue Dot; and I like it. Just wondering if there is anything better? I like to run them about 1000-1200fps. Thanks Ray

[Rrusse11]

I was wondering whats eveyones favorite powder for reloading 250gr SWC-K bullets in the 44 mag is? I`ve been using Blue Dot; and I like it. Just wondering if there is anything better? I like to run them about 1000-1200fps. Thanks Ray

Ray,
I've been using the new Alliant 410 with good results. Try a pound of that and use 2400 top end load data as ur start point. Just got an 8 lber of Lil Gun too for the 45Colt, liking both of these in my Marlin 1894 rifles.
Cheers,
R*2

[BD]

WC 820, my lot was about $7 per pound when I bought it and I think I have about 12 pounds left. BD

[Willbird]

I wondered why they didnt put out pistol data for the 410 powder. That is nice to hear that it works out.


Bill

[mike in co]

aa9 is a great 44 mag powder, and wc820 is a lot cheaper, and my lot was a bit slower....think it would work great in the load you asked about.

[Bass Ackward]

I was wondering whats eveyones favorite powder for reloading 250gr SWC-K bullets in the 44 mag is? I`ve been using Blue Dot; and I like it. Just wondering if there is anything better? I like to run them about 1000-1200fps. Thanks Ray

Ray,

People always ask these types of questions and they are disappointed when their results fail to produce what another guy claimed when they try to duplicate them. Why? Well because handgun bullets work pretty much like rifle bullets.

Lets say that hardness "A" is ideal up to 22,000 psi in someone's handgun that is recommending a load. Well you can get 22,000 psi with Bullseye and go 750 fps in a 4" barrel. Or produce 22,000 psi with H-110 and get 1200 fps if you have a 7 1/2" barrel with a tight b / c gap. Every other powder in between those two will probably work relatively well, (some will still shoot better than others) you just pick the velocity level you want to achieve.

Now along comes another guy and for some reason, either he is using a weaker lube, or has a rougher barrel, but he has to use a much harder bullet at hardness "B". His accuracy usually will fall off when his hardness level is reached right before he starts to lead appreciably. The best powders for him are now different. And the best are always those that produce the best pressure (or desired velocity) while providing good ignition.

Usually, slower powders are more forgiving of changes to variables, like primer, seating depth, hardness, differences in the gun, etc. and will give you the closest result to those claimed by another because of those listed above. Once in a while you run into the classics like 5 gr Bulleye, 7 grains of Green Dot, 8.5 grains of Unique. Catch the pattern?

[MT Gianni]

7 gr green dot is a great 1000 fps load in my guns. i also use wc-820 for high end pistol and rifle. I have played with herco and unique but these two get the most use. Gianni.

[Ken O]

For light to mild loads, I like AA7, for heavy loads I like 2400 (kind of dirty though) and AA9.

[BOOM BOOM]

HI'
I have used 12.6g of unique,22g of 2400,10.5g of green dot,8.5g of 700x,10.5g of PB,w/ good sucess w/ air cooled ww. in ruger SBH & RH. W/ GC. OF COURSE.

[Rrusse11]

7 gr green dot is a great 1000 fps load in my guns. i also use wc-820 for high end pistol and rifle. I have played with herco and unique but these two get the most use. Gianni.

Just back from a the range this afternoon with the same load in the 45Colt. 7gr Green Dot, 24" Marlin 1894; C-300 primers, Star brass minimally sized, Lee 250gr RF tumble lubed and crimped in the first lube groove, COAL 1.670; ~ 1000fps. Very pleasant to shoot and 1-2" grouping at 50yds off my elbows. A buncha' pieces of claybird propped up on the berm dissapeared with most gratifying consistency. Even got some offhand practice in,,,, now that needs some work , {;o).
Cheers,
R*2

[fecmech]

I am rapidly becomming a fan of Blue Dot. All my .44 loading in the past had been with 2400 then on to 296 and finally got some cheap AA9 data powder which also worked great. A while back I was having problems with the fine grain ball powders binding up the powder slide on my progessive press so I was looking for something coarser and cheap. I bought a 5 lb keg of Blue Dot at $13/lb to try and am very happy with it. In the .44, 18grs gives me 1390fps and 6 shot groups just under 3"@50yds the same as my 296 and AA9 did. The .357 is the same story matching 296 and AA9 in both speed and accuracy at the 1300fps mark. For bonus points it is becomming a favorite in the 9mm also because it is really cast friendly with both the 147's @ 1000 and 124's @1150 and up. That worn powder slide sure expanded my horizons. Nick

PS.- 7 grs of 231 works same as and maybe a hair better than 7 grs of green dot with both Keith 253 and Lee 214 swc for me.

[KCSO]

My best accuracy in the 44 was with H110. I was pushing the 250 out at 1100 from a 5 1/2" bl and my iron sight groups were right at 1 1/2" ay 25 yards. For Plinking I was using Green Dot and pushing them about 800 fps for 2" groups at 25 yards.

[rugerman1]

I wondered why they didnt put out pistol data for the 410 powder. That is nice to hear that it works out.


Bill

I sent Alliant an e-mail asking that same question:
Hello,
Do you have any handgun data for STEEL and 410 yet? They look like they are the right speed to do well in many calibers.
Thanks,
Rugerman

Here was their answer:
No. We tried some STEEL in the 44 mag, but the results were not impressive. We have no plans to promote 410 as a handgun powder. The reason is because we do not like the way the pressures go up in cold weather. Thanks for your interest in contacting us and let me know if you have any additional questions. Have a nice day.
Ben Amonette
Consumer Service Manager
Alliant Powder Company
www.alliantpowder.com