i plan to load rounds for a extreme hunter with 12 inch barrel and a ruger carbine with 18 inch barrell. i also plan on using 296. i was wanting to start at 21.7 and with a 240 gr jhc. any in put to this would be appreciated.
loading 296 for 44
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oldschool63
Member
I have loaded as much as 24.0 grs of 296 with a 240 gr bullet in a 6"Colt Anaconda. The load was pretty accurate but it was not very much fun to shoot.
Matthew,
Interestingly enough, the load you mentioned starting out with will probably work well in an 8 3/8" Model 29 but the only way you will know (in any carbine or revolver) how well it's going to work is by testing. I have read up a bit on loads that are used in the Ruger carbine...meaning they produce good accuracy...the Ruger Carbines like it warm!! Seems to like loads on the upper end...like what you have mentioned. Suggest you lay a decent crimp on the case. Work up slowly and check with several reloading manuals to verify you are on the right track prior to pulling the handle. AND try to keep your loads close to the numbers listed in the manuals...you do not want to "light load" 296.
Good luck, you will be seeing some range time to get your guns working well with about any load.
Oh, and welcome to the Forum!!
Bob
Interestingly enough, the load you mentioned starting out with will probably work well in an 8 3/8" Model 29 but the only way you will know (in any carbine or revolver) how well it's going to work is by testing. I have read up a bit on loads that are used in the Ruger carbine...meaning they produce good accuracy...the Ruger Carbines like it warm!! Seems to like loads on the upper end...like what you have mentioned. Suggest you lay a decent crimp on the case. Work up slowly and check with several reloading manuals to verify you are on the right track prior to pulling the handle. AND try to keep your loads close to the numbers listed in the manuals...you do not want to "light load" 296.
Good luck, you will be seeing some range time to get your guns working well with about any load.
Oh, and welcome to the Forum!!
Bob
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sourdough44
Member
Yes win 296/H110 is the powder I load for max with heavier bullets. I loaded 240 grn hardcast for my bear hunt. With this powder there is not a lot of wiggle room between starting & max loads. I've seen manuals with hardly any room, .5 grn or so. My loads were right at or just shy of 24 grains, for my Redhawk. Don't forget a firm crimp. You can also check your planned data by peeking at the Hodgdon website for H-110.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Matthew,
Welcome to the forum! Great place!
I went to the Hodgdon website and found that the only load they have for a 240gr bullet with W296 is a Nosler. The minimum charge they suggest for that bullet is 23gr!
If it were me, and the fact you have such long barrels, I wouldn't reduce the loads below what they suggest. Driving a bullet out of those longer barrels wouldn't be all that much fun!
That's the danger in underloading those powders, squibs.
The Ruger is a gas operated firearm and low end loads aren't going to make it cycle. I don't know where that comes into play with the load you suggested. Personally, I would bump it up to the 23gr minimum, but that's just me.
We usually use starting loads that are a 10% reduction. For a long time, there was no minimum load for any W296 loads in most manuals. Then, they suggested a reduction of only 3%. For a 24gr load that gives you a 23.28gr load or 23gr. (24*.97=23.28). That is where I would start.
The final decision rests with you, you will be responsible for your own actions. Choose wisely!
Welcome to the forum! Great place!
I went to the Hodgdon website and found that the only load they have for a 240gr bullet with W296 is a Nosler. The minimum charge they suggest for that bullet is 23gr!
If it were me, and the fact you have such long barrels, I wouldn't reduce the loads below what they suggest. Driving a bullet out of those longer barrels wouldn't be all that much fun!
That's the danger in underloading those powders, squibs.
The Ruger is a gas operated firearm and low end loads aren't going to make it cycle. I don't know where that comes into play with the load you suggested. Personally, I would bump it up to the 23gr minimum, but that's just me.
We usually use starting loads that are a 10% reduction. For a long time, there was no minimum load for any W296 loads in most manuals. Then, they suggested a reduction of only 3%. For a 24gr load that gives you a 23.28gr load or 23gr. (24*.97=23.28). That is where I would start.
The final decision rests with you, you will be responsible for your own actions. Choose wisely!
running iron
US Veteran
I go by what Hornady says for their 240 XTP because I use that bullet. I have found that 22 Grs. of 296 is the most accurate in my 8 3/8 629-4. They say start at 20.7 for 1100 fps and end at 24.5 gr. as a max. at 1400 fps. 22 grs is 1200 fps. out of a Ruger Blackhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel according to Hornady. I think you are at a good place. I don't like the powder company's data because they AWAYS have to look at the worst case situations while the bullet people test their bullet and are not as conservative. Accurate Arms data is very conservative with the 44 Special and if you have a modern weapon, their data is lacking. It's not so bad with 44 magnum, but just a thought about powder companies data as compared to the people that actually make the bullet.
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buck460XVR
Member
I agree with smith crazy that 21.7 may be a bit light to properly cycle the Ruger. Since Hornady lists 19.8 as a starting load in a Ruger Carbine, I doubt that you'll get a stuck bullet @ 21.7 (make sure you use a firm crimp and magnum primers), but again, I wonder about how well it will cycle the action.........especially in cold weather. I shoot 23.5 of H110/W296 under a 240gr. bullet out of my P.C. M629....it also works very well in my nephews Ruger Carbine, altho he prefers 22.5 to 23gr. I've found that IMR4227 is not nearly as temperature sensitive as H110/W296, ignites easier and likes long barrels. Since I sometimes deer hunt in temperatures that hover around the zero mark, I've been working on some new loads with it for next season. Hornady also states that IMR 4227 was the most consistent and uniform powder when used with the Ruger Carbine test gun.
I would also suggest the use of JSPs instead of JHPs for use in the longer barrels when hunting deer or larger size game, as most JHPs in .44 caliber are designed for velocities of 1500 fps or less. Also as always, verify any load taken from an internet forum with published load recipes and always start low and work up.
I would also suggest the use of JSPs instead of JHPs for use in the longer barrels when hunting deer or larger size game, as most JHPs in .44 caliber are designed for velocities of 1500 fps or less. Also as always, verify any load taken from an internet forum with published load recipes and always start low and work up.
the bullets i will be using are 240 gr hp/xtp and winchester larger pistol primers for standard of magnum pistol loads. i also have the 4 die set form lee to do the crimp. the reason i was looking at 21.7gr of 296 is from the sierra book. for 296 and 240gr 1200fps 767ftlbs with 21.2 in the pistol section that is the min. the rifle section starts at 20. gr with 1500fps and 1199 ftlbs. 21.7gr is 1600fps with 1364 ftlbs. do i need a different book? also the pistol is what i will shoot deer hunting and the carbine is my small wife to use.
running iron
US Veteran
That's the same bullet I use or a 300 gr.XTP with Hornady Information. I don't know about sub zero temps, here it's single digits or below freezing at 7000' and 296 powder has been fine with WLP primers and 296. I think CCI 350 primers work too. I have never noticed a difference, but I just shoot them. I just checked my HORNADY BULLETS LOAD information and for their Ruger Carbine 18" barrel 1 in 38" twist they do use WLP primers and have max. C.O.L. of 1.610" and with a 240 XTP and 296 say; 19.8 gr. =1400 fps at one end and 25 grs. as a max at the other end at 1800 fps. I would highly recommend using the bullet manufactures data, if they have your rifle listed that much better IMO.
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buck460XVR
Member
No...not necessarily. But it helps to have more than one verified source before trying a new load. Most powder manufacturers have online reloading manuals that can help confirm a starting or max loading. I for one am not saying that your load recipe is wrong......it is not. It is a very good place to start for both your carbine and handgun.....and I agree it is wise to find the lightest load that will cycle your wife's carbine and still be accurate. I believe what most of us are saying is, H110/W296 is a very good powder within it's narrow parameters......but in most cases, it is not the best powder for loads other than full blown magnum pressures. I use H110/W296 in .357, .44 and .460 S&W. It works very well and is very accurate in all of them when used at the upper levels of it's safe load volume. For me, it does not perform well when used at the lower levels. When I want to shoot reduced loads in any of the above, I use a different powder. Your experience may vary, and is one reason so many of us handload.
Again, I advise to start low and work up.........but always stay above minimum with H110/W296.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Matthew,
You have the INTERNET so getting another book isn't really necessary. There are many places on here where you can get load data from the right kind of sources. What I use is the powder manufacturer's data first. After that I have a subscription to LoadData.com.
For powder companies there is:
Alliant Powder Company
Accurate Arms Powder Company
Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester Powders
Vitavhouri Powder Company
These companies all have data somewhere on their website and I use them FIRST for ANY load. If I don't get the results that I want or that is published with the loads, I will consult the many manuals that I have, somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen, drives the wife nuts!
By the way, I'm glad to hear you're wife is involved with your hobby. Mine too. Not so much in the reloading, although she used to be my case feeder when we loaded together on my Square Deal B!
We are going hunting in a week or so for her Christmas present. She just finished her digital camo skirt!
Marksman
Member
I have been loading 296 with a 240 gr. XTP for my Ruger 77/44 and accuracy is sowing promise, 22.1 gr. is where I am at presently. I want to shoot that load some more when the weather warms up, last trip to the range was raw wind with snow not the best conditions.
My 29-2 gets only light loads, no 296. I use 24gr of 296 with 240 gr jacketed or 250 gr cast in my Ruger Redhawk or Blackhawk. In 7&1/2 in
barrel I get about 1375 fps with 240 and about 1400 with 250. I use 25gr with 240 jacketed and 26gr with 225 jacketed hp in my Ruger #3 single shot with 22 in barrel. 240 velocity is over 1800 and 225 around
1950 fps. All 296 loads use cci 350 primers.
barrel I get about 1375 fps with 240 and about 1400 with 250. I use 25gr with 240 jacketed and 26gr with 225 jacketed hp in my Ruger #3 single shot with 22 in barrel. 240 velocity is over 1800 and 225 around
1950 fps. All 296 loads use cci 350 primers.
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Marksman,
Are you in the lake effect belt? The bottom of the lake is really getting pounded this week!
What kind of accuracy have you gotten with the XTP?
Are you in the lake effect belt? The bottom of the lake is really getting pounded this week!
What kind of accuracy have you gotten with the XTP?
