W231 vs H110 for .44 Magnum

[pdubois64]

I am about to start reloading for .44 Magnum. I have a 6.5" 629 Classic.

I have both of these powders. I see that W231 goes alot futher (~26gr vs 8gr) per load.

I am using a 210gr bullet. Not sure of the exact terminology but its partially jacketed almost to the nose and a hollow point.

Thoughts?

 

[pdubois64]

I am about to start reloading for .44 Magnum. I have a 6.5" 629 Classic.

I have both of these powders. I see that W231 goes alot futher (~26gr vs 8gr) per load.

I am using a 210gr bullet. Not sure of the exact terminology but its partially jacketed almost to the nose and a hollow point.

Thoughts?

 

[Snapping Twig]

Yes.

Use the 231 for target to mid range loads and the H110 for magnum.

H110 doesn't download - at all. The range it works at is perhaps a 2 ~ grain spread, but it's all in the magnum range.

W231 isn't a magnum powder. Think of it as a substitute for Bullseye that slightly slower and cleaner burning.

You mentioned 210g boolits and I can't help you there. I have some 215g Cast GCSWC's that I'm going to load later today, but I'll need to look up the load.

For now, let me share my favorite reciepes for heavier boolits.

240g cast lyman 429421 over 7g W231 in a magnum case. @ 900fps for a good midrange load. Accurate and hunting powerful with little recoil (for a .44).

265g cast Lyman 429244 GCSWC over 22g H110 for @ 1200fps. This is a real hunting round, field tested and it works.

 

[USMCbrat]

Your title sounds like you want magnum velocities but it is hard to tell. If you want them then H110 is a great choice. If you want to down load a to be used in a 44 magnum then that is different and 231 is a good choice at 6.5 - 7.5

 

[Wyatt Earp]

USMC brat and Snapping Twig have pretty much covered all the angles, I think.

 

[czakjm]

W231 burns much faster than H110 and won't give magnum velocities...but is excellent for less-than-magnum loads with non-jacketed bullets...just be aware that a suitable charge of W231 will not fill up the case, which opens the possibility of a "double-charge"...double charges of fast burning pistol/shotgun powders usually wreck the gun...just something for a new handloader to be aware of...good luck

 

[pdubois64]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will stick with the H110 because I do want the magnum loads. Also the fact that a double charge would be less likely with a fuller case.

 

[John R]

Originally posted by pdubois64:
Thanks for the replies. I think I will stick with the H110 because I do want the magnum loads. Also the fact that a double charge would be less likely with a fuller case.

The H-110 would run the case over with a double charge, but you could get a double charge of W-231 in a 44 mag case.

A double charge with either of these powders would be disastrous.