Powder for .44 Rem Mag / H110 vs Lil Gun

[MudRunner2005]

Pistol cartridge are just like rifle cartridges, the better the fill, the more positive the ignition will be, with less chance of a hang-fire. That's why I won't use Unique (or other fast-burning powders) in my magnum revolver cartridges...Personal opinion.

H110, CFE BLK, and 300-MP are all good fills for magnum revolver cartridges.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Thanks for all the excellent info. I reload for 11 rifle calibers and crimp was never so critical as for this handgun load. I'm going to keep using my Lil Gun recipe for the 200gn FTX but I think I'll reduce my H110 charge to approx. 26 gn and firm up the crimp.

 

[RT2506]

A pistol is just like a rifle. You can't just pick a random load or even one that someone else swears by is accurate and expect to find accuracy in your pistol. You need to do a work up with a pistol load just like a rifle load. Only thing with a pistol load .1 grain of powder can make a HUGE difference as well as the primer. H110 needs MAG primers and a healthy crimp. About 32 years ago I was on the 44 mag wagon and about wore out two pistols. Ruger super black hawk and a red hawk. It burned dirty but for accuracy and velocity with about all bullet weights and flavors was Elmer Keiths old stand by 2400 for me. Burned dirty but that is what cleaning solvent is for. These days my heavy caliber is 45 Colt in a Ruger black hawk and it gets H110 and so does the 357 mags accurate and powerful loads have been found.

 

[Kmccord]

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk with 10.5" barrel, the most accurate load in that pistol is 300 grain Hornady XTPHP with 19.2gr of H110 and CCI Large Pistol Magnum primer. I was given this load in 1992 and have not used another powder/bullet combo since.

 

[Ts3]

Looking back at my data from 2011, I was loading 19.5 gr of lil gun under a 325 gr hard cast lead with GC from beartooth bullets. I was getting 1235 fps and 2.5", 5-shot groups at 50 yds off a sandbag with my 5.5" super Blackhawk. Later I worked a load for 240 gr Speer deep curl JHP and ended with 22.5 gr lil gun. Mean velocity was 1436 but groups were an inch bigger and I went back to the BTB.
I remember shooting those 325 gr rounds quite a bit. Generally 6/6 on a paper plate at 100 yds off a sandbag...and usually 2/6 off hand. Lol

 

[tankgijohn72]

My load is nearly identical to this. H110 and 300 xtp with a slight crimp. I have had good success with it out of my ruger super red hawk 7.5". So far, two deer to date with it. Neither went more than 0 yards. Shooting scoped off of sandbag, I keep them in maybe an 8" group at 75 yds which is as good as I can shoot with a pistol. For me, I never really worried about dirty burn or anything. I cant think of one time that I have fired more than 50 rounds in a day, so to me its really a non issue. When hunting its definitely a non issue.

 

[Kmccord]

My load is nearly identical to this. H110 and 300 xtp with a slight crimp. I have had good success with it out of my ruger super red hawk 7.5". So far, two deer to date with it. Neither went more than 0 yards. Shooting scoped off of sandbag, I keep them in maybe an 8" group at 75 yds which is as good as I can shoot with a pistol. For me, I never really worried about dirty burn or anything. I cant think of one time that I have fired more than 50 rounds in a day, so to me its really a non issue. When hunting its definitely a non issue.

That is the best bullet/powder combo I have ever found, using a rest in my SB with 10.5" barrel I was able to hit a rabbit stepped off to 101yds, very accurate combo.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

I ended up loading a 240gn Ranier Leadsafe HP onto 22.5gn of Lil Gun and will try a reduced load of 26.5gn H110 for the 200gn Hornady FTX, all with good crimps. I'll check in when I test them at the range. Thanks again, all

 

[just country]

morning WW-296 real good. justme gbot tum

 

[Deleted member 107796]

morning WW-296 real good. justme gbot tum

Sounds good. I like the specs for 296 and it's readily available.

As a side note, I went ahead and got some 357 mag dies. Cabelas has Sig brass for $19/100 pieces, which is a pretty good deal.

 

[ar10ar15man]

i shot both a 44 win mag 7.5" super redhawk and a 20" 44 win mag lever gun in 50 yard steel matches for several years.
started at 255 gr and ended with 290/300 gr cast bullets.
accurate number 9 and wc820
trim your brass one time is normally enough.
get a uniform crimp/get uniform ignition
get uniform ignition, get accuracy
9 burns clean
mag primers

 

[Kmccord]

Sounds good. I like the specs for 296 and it's readily available.

As a side note, I went ahead and got some 357 mag dies. Cabelas has Sig brass for $19/100 pieces, which is a pretty good deal.

Winchester 296 and H110 are the same powder, both use identical load data, burn rate and pressures are about the same.

 

[Pa Grizz]

Pa, what are your charge weights of H110, if you don't mind me asking?

29 grs for the 180 24 grs for the 240

 

[Deleted member 107796]

I just got back from the range, trying Vihtavuori N110 for the first time in 357mag and 44mag. As mentioned from several sources, way less muzzle blast, great velocity and very good accuracy. I hopped 16.5gn onto a 125gn Rainier Leadsafe HP for the 357 and 24.4gn onto a 200gn Hornady XTP HP for the 44. I'd hunt with either of these loads.
Thanks for all your input.