I finally ordered this revolver. This is my first magnum revolver. I have read over the forum quite a bit. I would like to condense my needs in this thread from those much wiser than I. I have not purchased any thing specifically for this revolver but for powders on hand I have 700X, 800X,. 296 and SR4756. To start out I am planning on 240gr Hornaday XTP and 250gr SWC. Brass wise will be starline. in regards to primers I have read that some use regular pistol primers and others magnum primers. Dies? I currently use lee, rcbs, redding and whidden. I am leaning towards redding as I read " easier to use" something about the adjustment on seater for HP and SWC. Do not know if true or not. So with the above in mind could someone point this begginer in the proper direction. I also welcome all critisisim and harassment.

The .44 Magnum uses large pistol primers, either standard or magnum depending on the powder. Large rifle primers will not work because they are slightly taller and can't be fully seated in large pistol primer pockets.

The powders you have are all suitable for this cartridge - 700-X for light target and plinking loads, 800-X and SR-4756 for middle loads, and W296 for magnum loads. Get a couple of good reloading manuals (I use Speer, Hornady, Lyman, and Hodgdon) and you'll get plenty of good loads and information. I'd start with light to medium loads and get familiar with the gun and trigger before loading to magnum velocities.

Enjoy your new gun!

10 day wait here in California. Yep, meant large pistol. Good information regarding the powders I have. I use lyman, Lee, Hornaday and Hodgon for data. Being relatively new to reloading I'm a bit nervous thinking about magnum loading. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

Don't be nervous, be observant and methodical. Place you brass in a loading tray, WEIGH your powder charges, inspect each case for powder level, then seat the bullet,

Actually using slow powders like W 296/H110 in a large case like the 44 Mag, you will get in less "trouble" then using small amounts of really fast powders.

Yes, the Magnum powders make a big boom but as they fill the case up there is little to no chance of a
overload" or double load, so you will not blow up the gun.

More disasters happen with fast powder than slow ones.

https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/u...-2015-2016.pdf

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Still Running Against the Wind

Magnum loads tend to be the easiest and safest in my opinion. As noted above, the charges are so large you can't double them up. Additionaly, the slow powders are not very versatile at all. Most notable among them for that trait is 296 (a.k.a. H110). You can flex down at most 3% from max before you start risking erratic ignition or even a squibs. These powders work best with heavier slug and tight roll crimps.

Your 700x and 800x will do well for light target loads as will pretty much all of the fast powders. A good new .44 Mag/SPL powder I have found has been Hodgdon CFE Pistol. This powders has been available pretty much everywhere on line for the past year or so.

Have done light crimps on 40 cal, not any experience with roll crimps. As they say, "this soon shall pass".

Well I Shot 35 rounds of 240XTP. I really like the single action, the double action, not so much. The lack of serious recoil was a surprise. I need to change out those pretty laminate grips as I started bleeding after 30 rounds. Reloading is next.

I'd use the 800x and create some magnum loads using the suggested starting loads. My Lyman manual has 800x listed for most bullet types and weights. It's one of the faster powders for Magnum loads.