44 spl 44 mag plinking loads H110 powder

[500 Magnum Nut]

I have 3 pounds of Hodgdon H110 and looked thru the Hodgdon site for light loads for the 240gn jhp in both 44 spl and magnum.

I want something to simulate Unique at around their velocities. I don't want to hurt my old 44s.

I don't think H110 will work. Anyone try toning H110 down with safe, reliable ignition?

Thanks. 500MN

 

[Joni_Lynn]

H110 & WW296 don't work at reduced levels. A little reduction may work but not very much. I have two powders I use in 44 mag and one for 44 Special, WW296 and Unique.
The loading manuals will give you a good idea of the acceptable range for the H110 powder.

 

[rond]

H110 loads should not be reduced by more than 3% per Hodgdon reloading manual.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

So I figured...
The chart (and my books) says to use 23gns with the 240g JHP so this is the bullet I always shoot. If I reduce it 3% then I'll give it a try. Instead of fertilizing the front yard with 3 LBS of H110, I'll see how the old 29 likes 22.4gns and let you know if I blow the top strap off.

Unique for the specials.

This keeps life young!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That H-110 will work fine in your 500. Don't waste it.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I shoot mostly 210 Remington & Sierra bullets with WW296 and load as per Sierra loading manual specs. I also use Hornady 240 bullets and load them according to Hornady manual specs.
The Sierra manual shows a load using either H110 or WW296 (I'm getting old, can't remember) and a 210 jacketed bullet for the 44 Special.

 

[Sven]

I shoot mostly 210 Remington & Sierra bullets with WW296 and load as per Sierra loading manual specs. I also use Hornady 240 bullets and load them according to Hornady manual specs.
The Sierra manual shows a load using either H110 or WW296 (I'm getting old, can't remember) and a 210 jacketed bullet for the 44 Special.

I have an old Hodgdon manual that also shows H-110 loads in .44 Spl. I can't remember if it was for 240 gr or 210 gr bullets. I'm not at home or I'd look it up. I have been thinking it'd make a nice medium load for my MG.

 

[Skip Sackett]

H110/W296 are the same powder and shouldn't be reduced.

H110/W296 powder is for "flamethrower" type of loads! With in specs of course. It is supposed to be "THE" magnum cartridge powder and will give you squib loads when reduced.

Pressure is a must for this powder. If it were me, I would use one of the "midrange" powders such as Unique, Herco, AA#5 of #7, SR4756, SR7625 or others in that area of the burn rate chart.

Having supplies on-hand is an understandable reason to want to use them. Problem is, it just don't(intentionally sloppy grammar) work when you take it into the reloading arena!

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

That H-110 will work fine in your 500. Don't waste it.

I saw the "change" coming and was ahead of the curve. I've been stock piling bullets, brass and primers for a several years, for several different calibers, pistol and rifle. I went on a reloading binge last year and I ordered the other items needed, then went crazy putting all this new ammo together and placing it in military ammo cans. I have thousands of rounds created and ready to shoot.


But my math was off and I over did the H110 powder so I have 3 Lbs of H110 unopened with no intention of using it in the 500. I don't see me reloading certain calibers in the future, as I'll be dead before I finish the cans off at the rate I shoot today.
The 44s and 45's are still in production along with trace amounts of bullets in other calibers, but the rest is made up kind of a lifetime supply. When this ammo is gone, sell those guns off...

Now with certain calibers I just give the brass away, no more reloading!! Shoot clean and go to sleep....

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I have an old Hodgdon manual that also shows H-110 loads in .44 Spl. I can't remember if it was for 240 gr or 210 gr bullets. I'm not at home or I'd look it up. I have been thinking it'd make a nice medium load for my MG.

That would be cool if the info is for the 44 special, 240 gn jacketed bullets.

I like the way H110 meters thru my hopper. H110 is wild powder and scary sometimes....

 

[buck460XVR]

Hornady's latest manual shows a min load of 20.7 gr. with their 240 gr. XTP. I personally feel this may be a little low, especially if one shoots in cold weather. That said, the latest Speer manual shows a starting load of 22 gr. with their 240 JSPs and JHPs. I have shot 240 grainers of both brands outta my 629 with 22.5 gr. and had zero problems. This is with a .44 mag case, magnum primers and a tight crimp.

 

[Skip Sackett]

When in doubt----------------------

get the Speer #8 out!


Now, you have to remember that these loads are deemed unusable today. If you choose to use them you are on your own and responsibility lays solely on your own head.

I have never used these load but some folks have alluded to them in previous posts. I'm not sure they knew they came from "Old Reliable" or not but.................... (Just kidding folks!)

At any rate; here they are:

44Spl
225gr. Speer Hollow Point (Semi-Jacketed)
H110
16.0gr 1088fps
14.0gr 952fps
CCI 350 primers used.

240gr. Speer Soft Point (Semi-Jacketed)
H110
16.0gr 1087fps
14.0gr 1002fps
CCI 350 primers used.


Now, personally, I wouldn't used this data. The only reason is though, I don't like H110. Too much muzzle flash for me. It's a personal thing.

Whatever you do, don't use it in magnum cases as it is much more than a 3% reduction from their maximum 44Mag load.

FWIW

 

[sonny]

H110 loads should not be reduced by more than 3% per Hodgdon reloading manual.

This is true. Check out Hodgdon.com. I loaded 5% light and did NOT ignite any of the H110 and stuck my bullet in the barrel. Only the primer's ignition forced the bullet into the barrel. Big wad of unburned powder still sat behind the bullet; NO burned grains of powder at all. Do NOT screw around with this powder. It is for high-power loads and probably cannot be beat for that purpose.
Sonny

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Thank you ladies and gentlemen!
I am now armed with knowledge loading 44s.

I did stick a 500 bullet with H110 in cold weather. Just the primer popped and jammed up the gun. I do have respect for H110.

 

[Rodentman]

I use H110 for only full house mag loads. Be sure to use mag primer as well!!!

 

[Dale53]

The warnings regarding downloading H110 and 296 ARE valid. However, I have loaded some ten thousand rounds of .44 magnum with a 240-250 Keith cast bullet ahead of 23.0 grs of H110. This chronographs 1200 fps. It is not a "wuss" load but a decent load that is excellent for practice and is easy on the gun (and shooter). Max is 25.0 grs which I never shoot. I practice with 23.0 (1200 fps) and hunt with 24.0 grs (1300 fps). I chonographed these loads in my .44 mags.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Snapping Twig]

W296/H110 is my magnum powder of choice.

W231 is my medium velocity powder.

If I want a plinker load up to moderate, I use W231.

My 44mag load of choice is a Lyman 429244 (265g WW) over 22g W296 and a WLP. I figure @ 1200fps and it penetrates like no other. I need a chrono to verify, so one day...

Don't download W296, at the very least it's inefficient and will leave a load of unburned powder behind - I've done it & it's messy.

 

[Roadranger]

Magnum Nut, I'm sure there's someone out there that would swap you 3 pounds of Unique or other suitable powder for your 3 pounds of H110. Right now, 3 pounds of any powder is like money in the bank. Bob!

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I went to the range and tried the old 29 with H110. It worked fine and extracted without issues but wow, these are full power loads!
The gun stung my hand

It's not what I'm looking for, so I decided to stay with Unique with 10.3 grns to make powerpuff loads for old men.

I saw a buddy there and said you want some powder, sure was the reply. Good luck with it, for magnum loads only....

 

[Sven]

For anyone interested, here's the H-110 .44 spl data from Hodgdon #25 (1987). Note that they do not show reduced loads.

180 gr jhp 17.5 gr 1358 fps 15,900 cup
210 gr jhp 16.0 gr 1256 fps 15,900 cup
215 gr lead gc 16.0 gr 1203 fps 14,800 cup
225 gr jhp 15.5 gr 1227 fps 14,900 cup
240 gr jsp 14.5 gr 1192 fps 14,600 cup
250 gr lead gc 16.0 gr 1202 fps 13,200 cup
265 gr jsp 13.0 gr 970 fps 15,600 cup