I recently acquired a 629-2 Mountain Revolver, and was going through the reloading manuals to see what was available to feed it.

I have 240 gr TMJ TC bullets, and W296. I'm not a fan of the blast of the W296, and I found that IMR 4227 was listed a number of times. It's also bolded as the accuracy load in the Lyman manual for this weight, and has the advantage of being available locally.

But I note that IMR 4227 is generally absent in any discussions regarding reloading in this calibre. Is there any experience - positive or negative - with this powder?

(BTW, it's hair raising scooping 20+ grains of powder into a case when you're used to reloading with W231!)

Welcome to the world of loading for magnums - it is a bit disquieting to go from loading a couple grains of 231 to 10 times that in a slower burning powder. IMR 4227 has been around for decades, I loaded a lot of it in the 357, 41 and 44 magnums back in the 70's and 80's. Some reloaders consider 4227 to be THE powder for magnum loads. I also am a fan of 2400 in magnum loads, I have loaded 296 in years past, but my " go to" loads in the magnums have pretty well settled on 2400 or 4227 nowadays.
IMR 4227 will provide you with good accuracy & powerful loads. In barrel length's 4" or shorter I normally load Unique. I can achieve magnum level velocities, and not get the HUGE muzzle flash, thunderous report and muzzle blast that you will get with the slower burning powders like 296, 2400 & 4227 in short barrels. So you might want to check out Unique also.
In bl length's 5" or longer I go with the 2400 or 4227, been shooting steel targets and game animals with the 44 since the late 70's and these powders have served me well. Enjoy your 629, I have several of them and they are great revolvers in a great caliber.

Although it works, IMR4227 in considered a bit slow for top loads in the .44 Mag. If you don't like the blast and flash of WW-296, drop back to Alliant 2400.

Interestingly, I just acquired my first 44 magnum after shooting specials for a few years and tested 2400 and 4227 this past weekend. Using 240 grain lead and starting loads from Lyman #4 in a 6.5" Model 29, I experienced better accuracy and less recoil with the 4227. Winchester LPP that are listed for either standard or magnum. There were a few grains of unburned powder left in the barrel, but not much. This suits me fine as I can save the 2400 for my pet loads in 357. YMMV. Have fun!

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I have "re-discovered" IMR4227 recently, along with 2400. I shot 296/H110 for years and then tried it in 300 BLK. Didn't work out, so I tried 4227. After that I went back to 4227 in my revolvers. Hadn't used it in years. It is much more pleasant that the flash/bang of 296. One reason it's not raved about is that it's a little slow for many revolver cases. You run out of case volume before you get to max pressure and velocity. That's ok with me - the velocities are fine for my use. And you generally can't overcharge a case with it; for magnums anyway.

I've heard about Unique and 2400 but I've never actually seen any. I'm beginning to think it may be an insider internet joke the older guys tell the noobs.

I don't have much trigger time with the full house stuff, and was looking for good midrange load (a blend of flavour and heat if you will) until I get used to the recoil. This may fill the bill nicely.

IMR 4227 is a very slow powder.
To give you an idea of how slow, this is out of a 686 6" magnum.
38 case 125gr XTP with a compressed load hit only 945 fps.
38 case 158gr XTP with a compressed load hits only 826 fps.

357 case 125gr XTP with a compressed load hit 1217 fps. (1450 fac.)

Some say it works a lot better in a 357 rifle..........
Good luck in the larger cases and heavier bullets, where it should begin to work better.

I like 4227 a lot. If I hypothetically had to use only two powders for handgun loading , one of them would be 4227 ( I'll refrain from mentioning the other ).

The Bad News - you won't get top velocities. ( You can still tell it's a magnum , but slower than 2400 or the slow ball powders). Yup some unburned powder, but then so does 2400.

The Good News - Accuraccy. Ranges from consistantly good to excellent. By coincidence I also tried 4227 with 125 jacketed in .357 . Indeed slower than full power factory loads , but put 5 shots into 3/4in at 25yds. As noted , the gap narrows with heavier bullets , and since the OP expressed a preference for 240gr , that works. 4227 will definatly meet the OP's stated goals.

It's not the latest sexy magnum powder of the week , but the flip side is there is a lot of historical data.

I just loaded some 125 grain .357 last night with 4227 and as soon as I can grab some .44 mag projectiles that is what will go in the .44 mags as well. I've had good luck with it. It's not super clean and leaves some unburned powder but I shoot it well and that is what is important to me.

You might want to try some Accurate #9 for that 44 Mag. I find it a good accurate clean burning powder.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

IMR 4227 is a great powder for the .44 mag and 240gr. bullets.
Being single based it does not generate the velocity or recoil of your H110/ww296loads. I have recommended IMR4227 behind our bullets for 30 years at the gun shows.
The way I have described this powder as being healthy without being abusive. It will put your loadings in the 1100-1200+FPS range and capable of giving SD's of single digits and some outstanding accuracy.

Everyone that has tried this came back to report that this was exactly the kind of load thay have been looking for. 20grs gets it done behind the 240 and 22grs is max.

Biggest negative complaint is that there seems to be some unburned granules left behind but these are easily cleaned up.
Use a good roll crimp.

I do like 4227. In the 1.6" Supermag.
And for mid-high loads in the 444.
I know it works fine in the magnums but I have not had the time or inclination to do much with it there.
Over the years I have developed several loads that work for me and I have the components for.
As others have stated, a nice near-high load can be had with Unique or Universal.
Sadly both seem to be MIA.
For accurate full mag loads I now use 2400.
Luckily I don't shoot enough of those to endanger my supply, some of which still says :Hercules: on the side.
Currently working up some new target loads with the available shotgun powders to replace my beloved Universal loads.

If you have all the components, I say you should just go ahead and start shooting them!
Let us know what works. I know you will have fun.

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Nemo

My choice for .44 Magnum top rifle loads and .30 Carbine, very good for some lead bullet rifle loads in the .30-30 - .308 class. I use it a lot for lead bullet .300 Savage loadings. I probably wouldn't use it for anything else.

I4227 won't be the best for mid-range loads, but it might "feel" the best because it's noticeably slower burning & gives a "softer" push. The lower you go the more unburnt powder left. Your gun starts to feel like a pepper shaker when you go to unload the empties.

If I had a chose between 2400 & 4227 in the 44Mag it'd be 2400.

However, since 4227 has been readily available locally I've taken to using that almost exclusively in my 460Mag loads. It incinerates it all.

Are those TMJ-TC plated or jacketed? Brand?

Let us know how that MG shoots!

.

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Waiting for the break of day

If not "the best for mid-range loads", what would be better for that? I use Power Pro 300-MP in my 240 gr 44 Mag and kinda enjoy the drama but limit the number of rounds I shoot. I might try IMR4227, which is what I already use in Tier II 45 Colt with very good results, meaning I have a good supply.

I'll offer up yet another alternative, Accurate 5744. It's burn speed is similar to 4227. I've experimented with it in 44 mag with good results, but I will say for bullet weights around 240 grs it's hard to beat AA 9 for moderate magnum to stout loads. Spherical powder that meters great and burns clean.

For many years my go-to load in my Model 57 was 21 grains of IMR-4227 behind the Lyman 410459 220-grain SWC. I lit it with a standard LP primer, typically the CCI-500 if memory serves, and that round would stack them into one big hole @ 25 yards as long as I wanted to sit there and rest the revolver.

No less an authority than Ken Waters recommended that load, and it just flat worked. I loaded the Remington 200-grain SJHPs in front of the same powder charge and it was spookily accurate as well.

I sure wish my eyes were still that good...

In my early experimentation days I tried most powder options for heavy 44 out my Smith’s.
4227 was the best for accuracy and I still use it today.
I highly recommend from my experience.

I use H-110 for 44 Magnum and 454 Casull. I'm happy with it.

Is there enough difference between H-110 and H-4227 that I should give H-4227 a try?

Great for all .357 and .44magnum loads with 158 and 240gr bullets, respectively. Excellent results on the heavy loads and comfortable with lesser (special) loads. Unique is OK but I prefer Expansion Technowledgy ETR 7 for the lesser loads; better than Unique.

a) ETR 7 and CSB-1 are supposed to be the same Maxam powder.
I also have some and it is working very well but is somewhat faster than Unique.
Burn rate is somewhere between Universal and Green Dot at least in shotgun loads which have been pressure tested.
See the shotgun forum for more detail.
I have just started working up loads to replace Universal.

b) The reason I have pretty much given up on ball powders is I have found they congeal into a solid mass if compressed loads are left for a few years.
In shooting some of these loads using both 296 and 680 I was getting VERY erratic results including decreasing velocity with increasing loads and velocity spreads of hundreds of fps in a given load.
The final straw was I stuck a bullet shooting a formerly full house 44 mag load in the Redhawk.
Luckily I noticed it and quit on the spot.
Upon dismantling the remaining suspects, I found I had to dig the powder out with a small crochet hook.
It was a solid lump.
4227 (or 2400) is not going to do that.
4227 is a great, if somewhat misunderstood, powder.

This is the bullet I mentioned.
It went half way into the forcing cone and stopped.
The scary part is that it was far enough in to allow the cylinder to rotate.
<shudder>
(It is, however, a good illustration that even heavy jacketed bullets do obturate or "bump up" under fire.)

ALWAYS make sure you know where those bullets are going.

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Nemo

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I've been packing 4227 behind 240 coated slugs and the accuracy is top shelf out of all of my 629's and 29's. Only complaint is the unburned kernels left behind. Although, the hotter the charge, the fewer of them there are.

When I first started loading full power .357 mag and .44 mag, 4227 was my go to power as it seemed to always be available and cheap. The dirt factor swayed me to 2400. I'm guessing 4227, even though yielding top notch accuracy, was not fully burning due to inadequate crimp and bullet pull. You can't go wrong with it, and if it's all you can get in these crazy days of fractured availability, you shouldn't feel short changed. But if you were to suddenly gain unlimited access to a variety of cheap powders, like we used to have, there are marginally better choices.

Campro bullets. Local company, .08" thick plate over swaged core.

Those look like nice bullets with the thick plating.
Like the Rainier plus more copper and a cannelure.
Buffalo Cartridge carries them in the USA but only in 38, 40 and 45.
I'd buy some 44's if they had em.

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Nemo

I think you'll like IMR4227 if you are not after screaming yellow zonker loads. Velocity is, IMHOP, adequate and the loads are not nearly as violent as those with W296/H110, or even 2400. In my humble experience, it meters pretty well, too.

No doubt 4227 is a good magnum handgun powder as decades of usage will point that out.
From my experience with it in 357 Mag and 44 Mag I think it burns just a tad slow for optimum velocity compared to a few other powders. Whether that is an all important factor to you is up to the individual.

The niche that 4227 really fits very well is in 357 Maximum and 500 S&W Mag.

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Where we go one, we go all

Yep.
As I referred to above, 4227 is fantastic in all the 1.6" cartridges.
Until S&W came out with their versions, these were all wildcats with the 357 being the best known.
Starline deserves a lot of credit here too for being the only one to make brass in some of the less popular ones like the 375, 414, 445 "supermags".
Previously we had to cut off, anneal, blow out, inside neck ream and trim the appropriate rifle brass.
This is a lot of work.
I see Starline is no longer offering the 357 or 375x1.6" but I think they have in the past.
They do have in stock the 414 and 445 currently as well as the S&W numbers.

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Nemo

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What about a 250gr cast SWC in .44 mag Imr4227?

Should work fine.
You will not be able to get enough powder in the case to go over pressure.
Hodgdon lists 22 grains (compressed) under a 240 SWC for 1310 fps (8 1/8" barrel).
I would start at 20 or 21 and see how it goes.
You may not get past Mach 1 in a short barrel but most report tremendous accuracy.
Like the Hokey Pokey, that's what it's all about.
Staying sub-sonic does have it's advantages.

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Nemo

I keep some IMR 4227 on hand for my Ruger Blackhawk 41 mag. That gun loves the stuff behind a 250 gr WFN bullet. I get 1150 fps and outstanding accuracy. It also works very well with a 400 gr WFNGC in my 480 Ruger. It also runs about 1150 fps. I have had about the same results as everyone is saying in my 44 mags. The heavier the bullet, the better 4227 works. It also flows for me very well through powder measures. If I was limited to just one mag powder, it would be 4227. I like heavy for caliber WFN bullets and 1100-1200 fps will kill anything I want to tackle with a revolver. 4227 will easily provide that in most mag calipers.

I also like the WFNGC bullets.
My Redhawk's favorite is a 260 WFNGC over a slightly less than top load of 2400.
One big advantage is that you can get them sized for your chamber throats.
That is step one on the road to awesome accuracy.
I use the big WFN's up to 310 grains in 44's.
Just starting to play with them near Mach 2 in the 444.
Unfortunately, the recoil as I go past 3000 ft-lbs is becoming a challenge to these old bones.
I have a lead sled in the mail to use next week.

Yet another advantage of 4227: It's available!
I got an 8 lb jug should see me through most of the rest of my life.

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Nemo

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Shot a bunch of IMR 4227 in 30 caliber M1 carbines little unburned powder which didn't affect function. Then some years later got one of the 357 magnum marlin 1894's and started out with IMR 4227. Got great accuracy and no unburned powder grains in the 20" bbl. Even tried it once in an old winchester low wall in 32-20. 100 grain lead bullets with no leading and good accuracy. Haven't tried it out in the 44 special yet. best thing I like about are the case filling charges as it's easy to see an overload all the powder won't fit. Good cast bullet powder for the old lever action cartridges like 30-30,32-40,38-55. Frank

The only load Hodgdon lists (using the now discontinued H4227) in the 44 special is 13-15 grains under a 200 grain JHP.
I suspect you are going to have unburned powder at these pressures (9-13 KCUP).
It's more of a magnum powder.
Let us know how it works.

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Nemo

I save my 4227 for necked down 357/45 GWM ... Use Accurate No.9 or Vihtavouri N110 for straight-cased magnums.

Like some others who have posted, with 2400 being missing in action, I, switched to IMR4227 also. So far for my uses, and power levels it is producing very good results.

Anyone have a pet load for the 250xtp in 45 colt? Looking for something kind of warm to be used in an old 3-screw Ruger. I used to use 2400 but ran out a couple of years ago. I'm using Reddot for cast midrange loads. Does very well with either cast 230 RN or 250 SWC.

Do you mean using I4227?

Handloader #246 listed H4227 with a cast 270gr LSWC
22.0gr = 1116mv (from 5-1/2" Ruger NMB) ~21K cup
24.0gr = 1221mv ( <32K cup)

I've used 21 & 22gr in my 25-13 with MBC 255gr LSWC-HT. Both shot fine but left some unburnt powder, typical for loads less than full with this powder.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I've always had such good success with H110 in the .44 Mag, in all the revolvers I've owned, that I never got around trying 4227. But recently, back when we didn't know if powder was going to make a comeback, I was able to buy a couple pounds because it was there.

So I decided to try it for a .357 Magnum carbine, a 16" Rossi Model 92. This rifle, with Blue Dot and 158 gr. JHP's, consistently groups 2" at 50 yards, and apparently it likes this new powder as much as BD.

The best part was that my 2.5" 19-5 likes it, too. While I know that it's far from the best choice for a snubby, it's pretty accurate. I actually used that load to win one of the snubby contests right here at this forum, putting 10 shots into just over 2" at 10 yards offhand.

FYI:

http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/44sw-spec.php

Finally loaded some IMR42227 behind a 250 grain SWC only 12 rounds at 20.3 grains CCI mag primer will shoot this later today or tomorrow. These won't go in the S&W but my Ruger SBH with a 10'' barrel with a scope.

Shot those rounds today and I'm going bump the charge by 1 grain. So far so good Sunday will be another test day. Not looking for warp drive but for accuracy.

I use 4227 in my 454 240gr loads. Most accurate and least abusive load I have found

I was in the books last night and asked the question, "Why is 4227 rarely discussed as a more energetic powder between reloaders but it's all over the data tables. I'm looking for something that will give more velocity than Unique or other medium burners but not full magnum.

I think IMR is best known as 'rifle' powder. After all, IMR stands for "Improved Military Rifle" and they don't have many handgun powders in their product line at all.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I have noticed at the Hodgdon load data site they have quite a lot of data for the H4227 but little for the IMR version.
Since the "H" version has been discontinued this is curious.
At least in a caliber where this is the case the "H" data would give one an idea where to start with the low load and IMR 4227.

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NEMO
"Everything 44"