.44 Mag Reload Question

[jwest]

Hello All,

I have 240 grain bullets, Alliant Blue Dot and 2400, and CCI 350 (Mag) primers.

Can I use these powders with a reduced load since these are non-Mag powders?

Or is that just too much of a no-no?

Is there any 'rule' so to speak for using Mag primers for large pistols with non-mag powder?

Can some of you share some of your experiences here?

Thanks In Advance,
john

[SLO_Ryan]

Reduced load relative to what?

Would you be starting with a load for those bullets and primers, but a different powder? That would be a bad idea.

There should be plenty of loads with Blue Dot and 2400 for .44 Mag.

[jwest]

Different Primer - Blue Dot and 2400 call for CCI 300 - Non-mag primer.

[jwest]

Yeah, but I guess I wasn't clear.

Recipes call for CCI 300.

Question is: Is CCI 350 OK?

Thanks,
John

[bohoki]

in my opinion those are magnum powders

there is normaly no harm in loading 44 mag to 44 spl specs

do not go below minimums unless you want a BIB

[jwest]

Hello bohiki,

That is what I thought - but just wanted to ask you experts.

Thanks,
John

[jwest]

But, on this page:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=240&shellid=33&bulletid=57&bdid=170

It says:
2.Some primers are more powerful than others (they produce more gas at a higher temperature). Use only the primers specified herein.

[AJD]

Just work up from the starting load listed very carefully and you should be fine. 2400 is a magnum powder and so is Blue dot. Someone correct me If I'm wrong, but 2400 was one of, if not the 1st magnum handgun powders. While its burn rate is in the same range as other powders like 296/110 etc. which often call for a magnum primer, many reloading manuals suggest a standard with 2400. Apparently through testing, 2400 has more consistent results and it can be loaded with a higher charge with a standard primer. I've heard the same thing from many experienced reloaders as well. With all that said, magnum primers will work, just keep in mind that you may not be able to reach the max loads listed in some reloading data that's out there.

[freakshow10mm]

Blue Dot and #2400 (like #9) are the same burn rate. Neither requires a magnum primer.

Personally, I use a magnum primer any time powder charge exceeds 10gr. I find myself using magnum primers in all my loads now, regardless if it calls for one or not, except I use only CCI #350 in all 10mm loads regardless of powder charge.

[jwest]

Adam and AJD,

Thanks for these answers - I feel a little bit better now and I will work up from the starting load value very carefully.

Thanks!
John

[freakshow10mm]

You might find that in colder weather certain powder and primer combinations will give erratic performance such as out of norm extreme spreads, velocities, hang-fires, etc. Sometimes a magnum primer will get things to normalcy in cold weather. It is an issue here in Michigan, but probably not in California.

#2400 is a very forgiving powder. Blue Dot not so much but my "envelope" testing is with the 10mm. Blue Dot burns cleaner when pushed hard (near max). It was the first powder I ever used, when I started handloading for the 10mm. I've found better powders for that application but always keep a pound laying around for my coyote special (10mm 155gr XTP 13gr BD 1400fps 4.25" bbl). Also is nice for some angry field loads in my 20ga shotgun.

[jwest]

Adam,

I will start with the #2400 then.

I have a 20 Ga Remington Wingmaster - first real fire-arm I ever owned. Bought it for dove when I was a teenager. Of course I had a nice .22 Benjamin pellet gun before that.

Thanks,
John

[f4tweet]

I prefer Accurate #9. It measures cleanly like sand, and burns cleanly.

[RogueSniper]

Hello All,

I have 240 grain bullets, Alliant Blue Dot and 2400, and CCI 350 (Mag) primers.

Can I use these powders with a reduced load since these are non-Mag powders?

Or is that just too much of a no-no?

Is there any 'rule' so to speak for using Mag primers for large pistols with non-mag powder?

Can some of you share some of your experiences here?

Thanks In Advance,
john

You mentioned 240gr bullets, but not what type. Does it make a difference?

From my loadbooks, different bullet types called for different loads. Case in point, 240gr Lead SWC vs. 240gr JHP. The loads are different and so is velocity (Lead 800-900+fps vs. JHP 1100-1300+fps). I can only figure it has to do with effective bullet expansion.

I'm loading 240gr JHP using Win231 with WLP. My books indicated that Win231 is fast burning, faster than Blue Dot, but it doesn't indicate any numbers. I started with 8.0gr with mild recoil and decent groups and progressed to 9.8gr with stout, controllable recoil and groups remained pretty tight but it take some effort for follow up shots. Someone gave me a couple of their loads to try out. 240gr Lead Cast SWC, 5.0gr Unique. It shot like a 38Spl +P+. I'm planning on using some of my hotter loads in my 8" T/C Contender barrel.

[EOD3]

Generally speaking, using a magnum primer with a load that specifies a non-magnum primer will result in a higher initial pressure spike and perhaps greater overall pressure. I have read that 2400 is particularly problematic and substituting the magnum primer can raise pressure by as much as 5,000 CUP.

CCI primers tend to be a little "hotter" than some other manufacturers primers.

You may be able to find good "magnum primer" loads on the Hogdon/IMR website.

"IF" you elect to give it a go anyway, substitute the CCI primer for a Winchester large pistol (WLP) primer based loads and repeat after me... "STARTING LOADS".

Just my opinion, insert typical weasel words here. Be ALERT, everyone knows we need more LERTS.