[IPSCGuy]

I load 2 of the 5 cartridges on the list. Titegroup, HP38/Win 231, Win 244, WST, Clays. WST is probably my 2nd choice as best all-around powder for most of the pistol cartridges I shoot. Really like VV N310, 320, 330, 340 but awfully expensive. Will be loading another cartridge on the list very soon, and most likely HS6. Will try BE-86 & Accuate #7 soon in 2 cartridges. Used CFE Pistol, Titewad,

 

[Michael W Cuber]

I agree. Once upon a time, I loaded my magnum cartridges "flat out" and I tended to go with 2400, H-110 and Win-296 for those - they likely would get about 100 fps more velocity from my 8 3/8" barrels than hot loads of Unique.

But I've found that 9 gr. of Unique (speaking of the old Unique, which is gray colored) would get around 1050 to 1100 fps in my 5" 29 and 4 5/8" Ruger and was very pleasant to shoot! And would do about everything I wanted to do in a handgun - but that was also the beginning of the realization that the .45 Auto Rim and the .45 Colt were also even more effective with no more recoil - that said, I like the .44s (both spl. and mag) and shoot them regularly!

BTW, I pulled some factory full house .44 Magnums once - I forget whether they were Winchester or Federal - they were loaded with something like 8 gr. of a relatively fast powder - which sort of shocked me, since they got around 1300 fps!

I shot my first wild boar with a 240 gr. Norma JHP - which went 1530 from my 5" Model 29 - the hog really wasn't impressed (though I hit it in the heart) and it finally did "wilt" - the dogs were so close I could not risk another shot. From that time on, a 240 to 250 gr. .44 SWC at 1000 fps has been just fine with me....actually even at 800 fps it should be just fine...but I'd likely want more in bear country...or elk or moose country!

Riposte.

I shoot a lot of .44 Specials in my Magnums as well. I was sizing both Specials and Magnum cases a couple nights ago, and looking at the volume of even the Special cases, thought to myself, “why don’t they make more medium, or large frame, .44 Special guns that can take advantage of that case, and that could be loaded to push a 240 grnr to 1000-1050 fps”? The factories making ammo will always be concerned about the weaker .44 bulldogs, but why not offer more ‘Robust’ .44 Special revolvers that can be loaded to realistic ‘Working Man’ levels? Something that doesn’t need to be loaded with a case full of 296, but something more on the order of 9 grs of Unique.
Just My Thoughts!

 

[riposte191145]

I shoot a lot of .44 Specials in my Magnums as well. I was sizing both Specials and Magnum cases a couple nights ago, and looking at the volume of even the Special cases, thought to myself, “why don’t they make more medium, or large frame, .44 Special guns that can take advantage of that case, and that could be loaded to push a 240 grnr to 1000-1050 fps”? The factories making ammo will always be concerned about the weaker .44 bulldogs, but why not offer more ‘Robust’ .44 Special revolvers that can be loaded to realistic ‘Working Man’ levels? Something that doesn’t need to be loaded with a case full of 296, but something more on the order of 9 grs of Unique.
Just My Thoughts!

Both Buffalo Bore and Underwood make factory ammo that is a bit hotter than normal, but I'm with you. I have a 696, it seems to be the perfect size for a .44 Spl, albeit in 5 shot. I've been considering a Ruger GP-100 in .44 Spl - I can live with 5 shots just fine... heck my Colt, Colt Clones and 3-screw Rugers are actually "five-shooters" anyway.

I shot a whitetail doe at 110 yards with my old Triple-lock .44 and a 250 Keith at just under 1000 fps (I forget what powder I used but it was likely either SR-4756 or Herco) - it went down on the spot! I'm right happy with what you call "working man" .44 Spl!

When my first Charter was still new and I was working up loads I ran into Evan Marshall at a match and asked him if the Charter would take loads warmer than factory. I will always remember his answer: "Your hand will give out before the gun gives out" - he was so right! I tried 7.5 of old Unique behind a 240 gr. SWC - I didn't chronograph it but it was like someone hit my hand with a baseball bat! I ended up carrying 200 gr. Speer JHP (this was before Gold Dots) and I think 6 or 6.5 gr. of Red dot - at any rate it went about 900 and that was enough fun 😕 I traded that gun off, but I bought a replacement (also from the first gen. Charter) but I now carry 200 gr. Gold Dot factory ammo in it. - it gets around 800 fps. in the 3" barrel.

I've tested the load in Wet-pak and 10% gel - it opens up to about .77" and penetrates as much as 230 Gold dot .45 auto.

Riposte

 

[dramey]

700X for .38 spl, .45acp and 12 gauge shotgun, longshot for 460 Rowland and W244 for 12 gauge 00 buckshot

 

[mercman1972]

Unique, but I have an 8 pound keg of Bullseye to use up.

 

[Michael W Cuber]

700X for .38 spl, .45acp and 12 gauge shotgun, longshot for 460 Rowland and W244 for 12 gauge 00 buckshot

Haven’t heard 700X for a long time let alone seen a can of it, but I remember using it in .44 Special.

 

[flechero]

What’s the One Pistol Powder that folks think can do the most?

I mean no disrespect but even now, you can get almost any powder you want... why would an uber versatile powder, that excels at nothing but conserving shelf, space be the goal?? If mediocrity is the bar, just see the daily emails of bulk ammo and free shipping to fill your heart's desires!

There’s a handful that are a Jack of most Trades…master of none.

Truth

 

[Michael W Cuber]

I mean no disrespect but even now, you can get almost any powder you want... why would an uber versatile powder, that excels at nothing but conserving shelf, space be the goal?? If mediocrity is the bar, just see the daily emails of bulk ammo and free shipping to fill your heart's desires!

Truth

I can’t get any powder I want where I’m at! I’m figuring out what I can load pistol wise using Pro Reach Shotgun Powder. Haven’t seen a can of Unique or 2400 for over 3 years. You might be able to order what you want in the lower 48, but see how many of those companies will ship to Alaska?
I have opened an account with a shipping company that gave me an account number and address in Tacoma. I just received some ammo my dad sent to the Tacoma address. Once it gets there, the company notifies you, you make payment, and pick your package up in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Still doubt many retailers are going to ship stuff to Tacoma when my billing address is in Alaska—we’ll find out!

 

[Nitro.45]

Ughhh, it’s gonna have to be one of those annual trips to town like the old fur traders. Except in this case, your going to have to venture to the lower 48 and grab 50 pounds of powder, 10 bricks of primers, bullets, flour, bacon and coffee!😆 Might even be worth it to have it flown in!!

 

[dramey]

I can’t get any powder I want where I’m at! I’m figuring out what I can load pistol wise using Pro Reach Shotgun Powder. Haven’t seen a can of Unique or 2400 for over 3 years. You might be able to order what you want in the lower 48, but see how many of those companies will ship to Alaska?
I have opened an account with a shipping company that gave me an account number and address in Tacoma. I just received some ammo my dad sent to the Tacoma address. Once it gets there, the company notifies you, you make payment, and pick your package up in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Still doubt many retailers are going to ship stuff to Tacoma when my billing address is in Alaska—we’ll find out!

I go into Sportsmans Warehouse on a weekly basis and check their powder in stock list. They do not put their powder out on display, you have to go to the counter and look at the list or ask about powder.

 

[Michael W Cuber]

I go into Sportsmans Warehouse on a weekly basis and check their powder in stock list. They do not put their powder out on display, you have to go to the counter and look at the list or ask about powder.

Only get to Fairbanks a couple times a winter, its 240 miles away, but I do ask about primers and powder and check Sportsman’s every time I’m there. One time in the middle of this shortage about 18 months ago, they had Remington Primers for $23.99 while everywhere else, folks were trying to gouge for $100 a brick. Its been hit and miss the last 3 years, but I’ve managed to swap and barter to keep reloading—I’ve just ended up with powders I’ve never used before, such as TiteWad, ProReach, LeverEvolution, CFE Pistol, and True Blue. I use to just use a lot of Unique!

 

[longarm]

Well, it sez it's a "sale" - but I see no primers.

Reloading Powder

www.evergladesammo.com

 

[Nitro.45]

😆 That one’s funny! It’s a sale alright, a sale off of their daily gouge rate…..

 

[Namboob]

I use whatever is on the stores shelf. Which usually is not much.

 

[Nitro.45]

Aside from Michael up in the boonies, none of you guys should be complaining about powder. There are plenty of major sources online for decent pricing. In most cases it’s only 10% more than pre-ChinaVira. Even Bass Pro has hundreds of pounds of popular stuff.

 

[smoke4042]

9mm- target loads, Sport Pistol. hot loads BE 86. 45acp-Sport Pistol. 10mm- BE86 & Power Pistol. 45 Super, Power Pistol. 460 Rowland- Power Pistol. Yes I like Alliant Powder. I also keep some Bullseye,Unique,& Blue Dot in case of a zombie apocalypse.

 

[longarm]

I also keep some Bullseye,Unique,& Blue Dot in case of a zombie apocalypse.

Dude, it's SALT - SALT sprinklled on Zombies - not those 3! (that's like... seasoning!)

 

[Namboob]

Aside from Michael up in the boonies, none of you guys should be complaining about powder. There are plenty of major sources online for decent pricing. In most cases it’s only 10% more than pre-ChinaVira. Even Bass Pro has hundreds of pounds of popular stuff.

Dropped by my local gunstore today. They got about 200 one pounders of powder. Not one is pistol!

 

[Nitro.45]

Surely that’s not all he could get. Tommy screwed up the order. Everyone else can get it…🙂