Favorite powder for .357 & .44 mag?

[TexasRedneck]

Havin' picked up a sweet li'l target 686 race gun, an' already havin' a .44 mag, looks like it's time fer me ta git into reloadin' for the mag loads - so anyone have a favored powder that'll meter well, burn clean, work for both rounds and is usually pretty available?

 

[Texas1911]

Gun powder.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Gun powder.

Y'know, yer close 'nuff that ah figger ah kin purt 'near hitcha from here....

 

[Texas42]

Y'know, yer close 'nuff that ah figger ah kin purt 'near hitcha from here....

If only you knew what powders to use.

 

[Texas1911]

Y'know, yer close 'nuff that ah figger ah kin purt 'near hitcha from here....

I've lived in Texas all my life, and I cannot understand you. Try to limit the drawl-speak.

 

[TexasRedneck]

I've lived in Texas all my life, and I cannot understand you. Try to limit the drawl-speak.

Actually, it's pretty easy - it's phonetic....read what you see.

 

[DCortez]

Actually, it's pretty easy - it's phonetic....read what you see.

I'll try it in ebonics for Alan ... Don't make me pop a cap in yo ass



Which reminds me ... YouTube - Airplane Jive Scene

 

[TexasRedneck]

I'll try it in ebonics for Alan ... Don't make me pop a cap in yo ass

<sigh> There he goes tryin' ta pick up our male members again.....

 

[robocop10mm]

To get this thread back on track... For high velocity Magnum loads in either caliber I use Winchester 296. H-110 is good too. For either, a Mag primer is recommended as is a heavy roll crimp.

296 is a pretty cool powder. Extreme velocity and reduced pressures. Caution to not reduce the loads with 296. There is generally a single load listed, not a starting/max load.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Thanks, Robo....although I'll confess to liking to play with powder charges, so the 296 may not be the way I wanna go... Mag primer is a given in my mind when I'm working on mag loads - nice thing is, there's 5-6k of 'em on my shelf.

 

[MadMo44Mag]

After many years of shoot mag loads in both these calibers and trying every powder out there I found that for 44mag you have two choices - Alliant 2400 and Alliant Power Pistol.
As for 357 mag IMR 4227.
If you need specific data PM me and I'll share my pet loads

 

[country_boy]

I use hp-38 for 357 mag.

 

[Duman44]

I have been using H-110 for both .357 & .44., but have found lil gun to be a more consistent performer for (usually) less pressure.

I am intrigued by MadMo's power pistol loads as I recently picked up a 4 lb. canister.

MadMo check your incoming mail.

 

[shootmre steel]

Powder for magnums

I've been stuffing these rounds for years with almost anything we could crimp down tight. Try Herco (Alliant) 2400. I generally use a medium range load from the tables. It burns well, works through the powder drop consistently, and won't blind you with muzzle flash like H-110, and recoil in the 44 mag is more tolerable. Also it's relatively cheap and available.

A RECIPE for you:
3 to 3.5 Grs of Red Dot and your favorite primer with CCI shot capsules. Place 3 #1 buck inside and fill in with #8 or #9 shot for weight. Use a light crimp. Works best in 38 cal barrel. From a 6" Colt Python I can put all three in a garbage can lid at about 150 feet. The 44 bore allows more rotation and they scatter a bit.

Also try air soft bullets the 22 gr white work best. Scatter like hell but a hoot to shoot.

 

[Texas42]

I've been stuffing these rounds for years with almost anything we could crimp down tight. Try Herco (Alliant) 2400. I generally use a medium range load from the tables. It burns well, works through the powder drop consistently, and won't blind you with muzzle flash like H-110, and recoil in the 44 mag is more tolerable. Also it's relatively cheap and available.

A RECIPE for you:
3 to 3.5 Grs of Red Dot and your favorite primer with CCI shot capsules. Place 3 #1 buck inside and fill in with #8 or #9 shot for weight. Use a light crimp. Works best in 38 cal barrel. From a 6" Colt Python I can put all three in a garbage can lid at about 150 feet. The 44 bore allows more rotation and they scatter a bit.

Also try air soft bullets the 22 gr white work best. Scatter like hell but a hoot to shoot.

Not trying to sound stupid, but why put buckshot in a pistol round? Just doesn't seem like a great idea.

 

[Texshooter]

I've come to like Lil' Gun and AA#9. They are excellant in .44 mag. and also for .357 mag using bullets >158 gr.

Tex

 

[cuate]

I have used 2400 for magnum loads with satisfaction. By the way, don't harass Alan,
he's a good egg !! Overlooked some of my idiocy...

 

[shootmre steel]

pistols & buckshot.

Not trying to sound stupid, but why put buckshot in a pistol round? Just doesn't seem like a great idea.

The age old answer to "...Why?..." is, of course "...Why Not?..."

That was the basic reason, because I could. As I said I've tried all kinds of stuff.

If you need a real reason, here's a few.

1) Handgun is more convenient than a shotgun in the house at night.
2) In a revolver you get 18 pellets instead of six.
3) Little or no recoil with this load & low muzzle flash
4) velocity approaching a shotgun.
5) Less penetration in walls, & less damage to interior finish.
6) The bad guy will bleed just as much.

Can anyone thing of others?

 

[Texas42]

I guess, I'd worry about under penetration. Handguns are so underpowered as it is.

Did you chono any of them?

Sounds like fun, don't get me wrong. I'd love to blow some stuff up with it.

 

[Rifleman55]

Old Elmer Keith used 20 grains of 2400 with a 250 gr cast bullet in the .44mag. I have used it in the past, 17 or 18 grains of 2400 will get the job done. 13 grains will work in .357 mag loads with 158 gr lead bullets, These loads are all heavy loads. Unique will work for lighter more pleasent to shoot loads. THESE LOADS WERE SAFE IN MY GUN USE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION