Powder recommendation for 44

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Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 09 Sep 2016, 4:32 pm

Hi folks

Just getting everything in alignment here for the soon to happen 44mag lever action acquisition... 45-70 for those who've been following my brain farts sounds fun, but 44 is right for me. So...

Few reloading questions:

1. What would be the recommended go to powder for this cartridge? I use AR2208 for my 308 and 223, but that doesn't sound like the right choice for Rem 44MAG cartridge.

2. I assume pistol primers are the go here, obviously?

3. I really want to give casting a go - I see that in the very near future. However, baby steps, so what would be the all round pill choice to load for it? For example, for 308, 168gn target projectiles of some variety is a good safe choice, to start with. Obviously it's awesome to experiment and see what the rifle likes, thats the beauty of handling, but it's a good starting point. I am wondering if there's something similar someone could suggest for 44MAG to be used in a Marlin 1894, for me to start with (for use on paper and possibly hunting)?


Thanks!
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Gamerancher » 09 Sep 2016, 4:46 pm

18-19 grains of ADI 2205 powder, 200-240gr projectiles, large pistol primers. Good fast load without being excessive, accurate in most guns, also a good hunting load.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 09 Sep 2016, 5:19 pm

Thanks, Gamerancher. Exactly what I was after.

I don't have reloading manuals on hand, but just preempting confusion, since I'll be working loads up... Does AR2205 go under any other name, to look the quantities up? E.g. AR2208 = Varget. AR2205 = ? I am sure ADI and Harvey would have it under Austrian name. But Hornady and other US ones are probably rebadging it to something...
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by TheDude » 09 Sep 2016, 7:10 pm

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloade ... alents.asp has the details. 2205 is close to H4227, IMR4227, Vihtavuori N120.

if you're after cast but dont want to do your own just yet, check out places like west casting or Hawkesbury River. westcasting posts on one of the other forums and are around $130 for 1000 projectiles plus postage.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 09 Sep 2016, 9:42 pm

@TheDude, yeaaahhhh I'd just feel wrong shooting them, knowing I could be casting my own for not much more than that. Re: powders - thanks.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by No1Mk3 » 10 Sep 2016, 4:32 am

G'day juststarting,
Use H110 data from US books to equate AR2205. My favourite 44 load is 23.0g of AR2205/H110 with 240g JHP as it develops very close to the 30/30 in a rifle like the Win 92 and still can be used in my pistol, Cheers.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Noisydad » 10 Sep 2016, 5:39 am

juststarting wrote:@TheDude, yeaaahhhh I'd just feel wrong shooting them, knowing I could be casting my own for not much more than that. Re: powders - thanks.

That's the spirit! :D
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Gamerancher » 10 Sep 2016, 8:05 am

That's all we need, more pressure on our lead supplies! :sarcasm:
You'll talk him into BPCR next Noisy. :lol:
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Noisydad » 10 Sep 2016, 6:27 pm

Well I ncourage BP shooting where ever I can for purely selfish reasons. The more people using it the better because then more shops will stock both BP and caps so the easier it'll be for me to get the stuff.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 10 Sep 2016, 6:37 pm

I am too young for that :P
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by sandgroperbill » 10 Sep 2016, 11:49 pm

:popcorn:
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Chronos » 11 Sep 2016, 10:10 am

I run 20gr of 2205 under topscore 240gr coated lead pills in my .44 lever if that's what you want to shoot, Powders designed for bottle neck rifle cartridges are too slow for a straight walled pistol cartridge IMHO and pistol powders like AP70N might be a bit fast for a rifle length barrel which is why i chose 2205


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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 16 Sep 2016, 1:57 am

Thanks for the tips all, pretty much what I was after. I thought I would get jump start on research. So, a quick update, rifle is inbound, reloading for 44 will commence in October, casting will commence sometime in October too :)
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Gwion » 16 Sep 2016, 10:16 am

JS... Get yourself some reloading manuals!!!
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 16 Sep 2016, 4:59 pm

Gwion wrote:JS... Get yourself some reloading manuals!!!


I have a few... Actual quantity and the pill combo will need to be worked up - I don't just pack as much powder as I can and seat the bullet, you know. We are not in Tas man! :sarcasm: But I thought it's best to ask for general consensus and starting point (AR2205 seems to be the go), before working it up from manuals, than the other way around. :)
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by Gwion » 17 Sep 2016, 8:54 pm

Fair enough... you just said you didn't have access to manuals.
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Re: Powder recommendation for 44

Post by juststarting » 17 Sep 2016, 9:33 pm

Gwion wrote:Fair enough... you just said you didn't have access to manuals.


My bad, I didn't have access when I was researching, I was interstate... But back now. :oops:
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