Any suggestions? Problem with Model 629 and H110

[jon9]

Any suggestions on how to solve this problem are appreciated.

I have a Model 629, .44 magnum, 6" barrel. Usually, I use Unique powder for reloading .44 mag cases. I decided to try H110, as it seems it gets great reviews. However, when I test fired trial reloads, I have gotten squib rounds stuck in the breach end of the barrel on two occasions.

Here is what I am loading for .44 mag:

*Bullet -- 200 grain Ranier Leadsafe plated bullets (.429 diameter).

*H110 powder -- Lee loading manual recommends 27.5 grains compressed to 28.5 compressed (maximum). For test load I tried 90% of 27.5 = 24.75 grains of H110 powder.

*Primer -- CCI#300

*Case -- Remington

*OAL -- Lee manual recommends 1.61", my OAL is 1.59" .

In general I have found H110, when compared to my Unique loads, seems to fire heavy (lot more recoil).

Thanks for your advice in advance.

 

[snw19_357]

H110 is one of those powders that less is worse than more!

It burns very slow and loads below the minimum can/will produce more pressure than loads near maximum.

I like H110 but it is very sensitive. Stay within the recommended loads.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Welcome to the forum!

You need to switch to CCI 350's or any brand of magnum primer. H-110 absolutely requires a magnum primer to burn correctly.

The plated bullets you are using are also a poor choice for loads that are running at, or near the top. They should be held to 1200 fps or less.

The .002" difference in OAL isn't that big a deal, since it is so small, but any time you reduce powder capacity, you raise pressure with an otherwise equal charge of powder. Be careful when doing that, and you need to try to exactly match components shown on websites and in manuals.

You will receive lots of posts on this issue I am betting.

 

[WHO CARES]

H110/296 does require a magnum primer and a very heavy crimp for good ignition. They also caution not to reduce charge weight.

I have never used it with the lighter bullets for caliber but some combination of light bullet, std primer, and loose crimp and a light charge might be causing your ignition failures.

Ward

 

[Lubbock Louie]

Jon9.....Welcome to the forum.

All the above sure makes sense with 110/296.

LL/Cary

 

[alde]

I am wondering if you are not developing enough pressure with the plated bullets. You might try some 240 grain jacketed bullets with published loads and a firm crimp. I like Hornady XTP's with my 629 and H110. I have never hunted with them but they shoot great and the empties pretty much just drop out of the cylinder. They wake up the shooters in the other stalls too.

 

[Bendutro]

Magnum primers? I've shot over 800 rounds with standard Winchester LP primers and 24 gr of H110 under a 240grain bullet. Nary a single squib, all exited the barrel quite rapidly.

 

[Dragon88]

Yes, magnum primers. Recommended by the manufacturer, recommended by loading manuals. Use them.

To the OP, listen to all the advice above. H110/W296 is not a powder that you play around with. Be sure to read up on all your components before throwing together a load, and listen to all manufacturers warnings and recommendations.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Never tried H 110 with plated bullets but would be willing to do so.

In my view the powder charge weight is too light and that in combination with the CCI 300 primer could give the results indicated.

The plated bullets might work out well if used with the 27.5 grain charge, primed with large rifle magnum primers, and heavy crimp applied. It will be moving out at a rapid clip and I just don't know what plated bullets do when velocity is ramped up.

 

[Dragon88]

I have not tested 200gr, but 180gr I can get to over 1900 fps with W296. Way too fast for plated bullets.

 

[jon9]

Thanks for all your replies. I do have CCI #350 (magnum) primers. Any suggestion on bullet brands that have achieved consistent results? I did see Hornady XTPs mentioned. These loads will be for target and not hunting.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

While they are pricey compared to plated bullets, the 240 XTP's have provided me with exceptional accuracy from all of my .44 mags and .44 Specials.

The problem with using plated bullets at top pressures is that they can over obturate, which causes pressures to skyrocket. It's the same thing Dick Casull and Wayne Baker found would happen when they pushed regular jacketed bullets desiged for the .45 Colt, to .454 velocities and pressures. The pressures spiked quickly, sometimes to too high to be safe levels. That is why Freedom Arms designed their own bullets with ultra strong jackets early on.

 

[OKFC05]

I just don't know what plated bullets do when velocity is ramped up.

For me, they turn groups into patterns. According to the company, the plating breaks through unevenly when you try to go too fast.
H110/296 with plated bullets is no good for me; hard cast or jacketed bullets only.

I can't believe people are still reducing H110/296 10% when Hodgdon posted the "no more than 3% or get stuck bullets" warning on their loading site and in all their books.

 

[Dragon88]

Thanks for all your replies. I do have CCI #350 (magnum) primers. Any suggestion on bullet brands that have achieved consistent results? I did see Hornady XTPs mentioned. These loads will be for target and not hunting.

240gr XTPs will give you excellent results.

 

[snowman]

I use Remington 210gr. SJHPs. Considerably cheaper than the premium stuff, but I've gotten 1-1/2" groups at 50yd., and the only reason they weren't closer is my 50+ yr. old eyes.

Andy

 

[K&Nframe]

I agree with the above statements. Magnum primer, no reduced loads, heavy crimp, 240gr xtp MAGNUM bullets. H110/W296 is a magnum powder. Load it up and hang on!

If you have been using unique up until this point, you were not getting near the max velocity that the 44 mag can do. the pressure goes way up long before max velocity is reached.

Kevin

 

[Aticus]

Magnum primers? I've shot over 800 rounds with standard Winchester LP primers and 24 gr of H110 under a 240grain bullet. Nary a single squib, all exited the barrel quite rapidly.

Read the Win box and I think you'll find the Winchester Large Pistol primers are rated standard and magnum. The OP needs to go to CCI 350 primers.

Pecos

 

[Snapping Twig]

The OP needs to use Unique and moderate loads with those plated bullets.

If the OP wants real magnums, cast or jacketed bullets are the solution.

I've been shooting a cast 250 or 265g over 22g W296/H110 with WLP for 27 years so far and no unburned powder or soot.

Plated bullets are not for high velocity, they're for low to moderate speeds, as is Unique.

Please understand, plated bullets and Unique are excellent products, but like all other components, they have strengths and limitations.

 

[J. W.]

I had a similar experience with H-110 in a .44 mag 6" Colt Anaconda. In short, H-110 is made for big boomers, not reduced loads. one of my favorite .44 mag loads is a 300g XTP over 20.0g of H-110. Its my "if I won't kill it I shouldn't have pissed it off" load.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Not trying to be smart but....................

Any suggestions on how to solve this problem are appreciated.


*H110 powder -- Lee loading manual recommends 27.5 grains compressed to 28.5 compressed (maximum). For test load I tried 90% of 27.5 = 24.75 grains of H110 powder.

*Primer -- CCI#300

*Case -- Remington

*OAL -- Lee manual recommends 1.61", my OAL is 1.59" .

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Jon,
I too would like to welcome you to the forum.

The first thing you need is a different manual. One that "talks" about the loads in question. Like the Lyman one. Don't get me wrong, I like the Lee manuals, they are just lacking in some information. In most other manuals you will find that you are told two very important things about H110/W296. One being, NEVER reduce the loads given and ALWAYS use a magnum primer.

Now, physics being what it is, there is no way that less is going to give you more, sorry, doesn't work that way and the detonation issue is a hoax. Call Hodgdon and see what they say about it.

The reason for not reducing H110/W296 is for the very experience that you have had, squibs. EVERY powder has it's pressure range where it works correctly or better if you will. H110/W296 is no different, hence the warnings in the other manuals.

Follow the data from the manuals you use. Don't assume that you know more about the data than the folks that gathered it. There is a minimum there for a reason too.

Again, like Gun 4 Fun and others have stated, ALWAYS use a magnum primer with H110/W296.

Also, there is the Hodgdon data website. Use it. When you find a load you like, find the "print" button and click it. It converts the form into a ".PDF" file before sending it to your printer. You can view it on your computer and not have to waste paper. You can also save the file as a ".PDF". It will have the type of primer they used for the testing, follow that.

Hope this helps and once again, welcome to the forum!