310gr S221 load help.

[mokwepa]

I ordered my next batch of bullets from Lauri, 500x255swc and 100x310swc. The 310gr used to be 330gr with a gas check and are now 310 without a check.I previosly loaded the 330's with 18gr S265 but am switching to S221.

Any recomendations of a starting load for 310gr using S221?

Revolver is a SBHH 7'5" .44mag

[414gates]

Why change to S221 ?

S265 is already optimum for .44 magnum and longer barrels.

[mokwepa]

Cost due to the amount I shoot. I would like a cheaper powder that I can use for all my loads, from light to heavy.

[414gates]

It's cheap because there's a lot of filler and retardant in the powder by volume.

You will notice a lot of smoke, soot all over your gun, and unburned powder.

A better all-rounder is MP200.

[mokwepa]

I don't understand, how does it equal velocities to S265 with almost half the quantity of powder if it has lots of filler?

I have tried MP200 with 255gr swc but am worried about preasure with heavier (300gr) bullets. I thought a slightly slower powder (S221) might be a better compramise between fast and slow burn rates.

I'm not sure if my thoughts are correct. I have bought some 221 to try and think ill start at 11gr with a 300grainer, chrono it then work up from there.

[414gates]

You can equal the velocity provided by S265 with any of the faster powders, the problem is just the higher pressure spike. Slower powder has a lower, longer spike, faster powder has a higher, faster spike.

Although MP200 is rated faster than S221, I wouldn't use S221 in a .44 Mag, but MP200 is fine.

Somchem do not have a load for S221 in .44 Mag, and that is significant by omission. Don't just substitute the same amount of S221 for MP200.

[mokwepa]

Thanks for the info. Wrm has done some testing with 221 and is not the only one that has used 221 in a 44mag. Some of the guys in the Handgunhunters ass will not use MP200 in a long barreled revolver due to the preasure spike of the fast powder, however it is fine in barrels below 7'5" with heavy bullets. I use 10gr mp200 under a 255swc in my SBHH for 1150fps with no signs of over preasure. I don't know if I'm comfortable using mp200 with a 300gr + bullet in a long barrel. Somchem only lists MP200 for a 270gr bullet.

I think, if I remember correctly, wrm used 14gr 221 under a 300 gr bullet for 1300fps(or there about).

Ill start very low (11gr 221) and work up in 0.5gr incraments and chrono all loads and keep a sharp eye on preasure signs. I only want to go up to 1200fps with a 300grainer.

I have been reloading for about 9 years now, so have a pretty good idea what I'm doing.

Thanks for the input (I see this section is a bit slow and I value any input and views). From what I understand, mp200 = fast, 221 = slower than mp200, 265 = slowest (for 44mag that is). So considering long barrels and heavy bullets favour slow powders, then 221 "should" be better/more versatile than MP200???

[414gates]

I'm using 12gr MP200 with a 160gr Impala monolithic for 1330 fps from a 5.5" Redhawk. This is a mild load, on the low end of that spec.

12gr 221 with a 300 grainer is not low. Keep in mind that slower burning doesn't mean very much, unless you factor the volume of gas produced. You can have a 'slow' powder produce more gas than a 'fast' powder, and vice-versa. Also check if the bullet used by WRM was lead or CMJ, because it makes a big difference.

300gr CMJ with 8gr MP200 gives 820 fps.

You'll have to actually try and see what works for you in your gun with your load.

Powder burn characteristics don't follow any reasoning path, they just are what they are, so test carefully.

[mokwepa]

Morning 414 :)

"Keep in mind that slower burning doesn't mean very much, unless you factor the volume of gas produced"....that makes sense.

I've got some frontier load data using 221, ill check it and let you know what it say. Wrm recons 12gr 221 is subsonic with a 250gr bullet.

Ill see what other data I have that we can compare with.

Thanks for taking the time to help educate.