I was hoping you guys could help me out with some opinions on H4227 in the 45 Colt. In my Hornady loading manual, it looks like a very versatile powder allowing velocities over a range of 1150 ft/sec to 1400 ft/sec with their 250gr XTP, and 1050 ft/sec to 1300 ft/sec with their 300gr. What has your experience been with H4227? Also, will it work equally well with some Hard Cast LBT's in the 265gr to 325gr range? And finally is it a very accurate powder? Clean burning or not? Thanks for taking the time to help me out, and any load suggestions will really help. I am loading for a Ruger Super RedHawk 454 Casull, but looking for some good 45 Colt loads for this gun that are equal to or exceeding that of a Hot 44 mag load. Thanks again!

I recently tried some IMR 4227 in my 44 mag and 480 Ruger.
I used 21 grains 4227, 255 Keith, plain base, WLPP, 1100fps, easy recoil, for my 44 mag.
In the 480 Ruger I used 20 Grains 4227, 370Gr FNPB, WLPP, 950 fps. Loads burn clean and are accurate. I prefer not to reduce the W296, which I use for hunting loads.

JimC

It is an ok magnum powder...but stick to the reloading books...it doesnt like small charges at all and i wouldnt drop more than probably 3% of the max loads listed. Some good velocites can be obtained in the bigger magnums but i personally am not a big fan of it...its borderline too slow for alot of handgun cartridges. A smaller charge of BlueDot or 2400 will do everything it will, and possibly more. It is relativly clean in the loads ive used it in(357 and 44 mag) with decent accuracy. I personally would try a slightly faster powder like LilGun...youll for the most part get better veloctites at slight smaller powder charges.

Thanks for the good info guy's, I sure wish I new where I could find a verity of load data for Hard Cast Bullets like the ones from Cast Performance. I want to find a medium power load around 1100-1200 fps for practice and then a little hotter load for hunting with the same bullet.

Might look into Blue Dot, just a thought.

__________________
MikeG

briankmagby,

I haven't used the Hodgdon 4227 powder. I have used IMR 4227 with the Hornady 250gr XTP HP and the loads from the Hornady manual. I've had good results from my 7.5" OM Blackhawk with it. The load I'm using says it produces 1300 fps out of a 7.5" barrel. I believe it. There is some unburned powder left behind, but not enough to cause me problems. I have some mag primers I think I might try the next time I load some up, but normally I just use the Winchester WLPs.
I would say, from what I've shot, that this load will match or slightly exceed the standard .44 Mag load, and with a less sharp recoil to boot.

I haven't used either 4227 with cast bullets, I use 2400 for those.

Hope this helps a bit.

Joe

Thanks Joe, I bought some AA#9 that I'm going to try out when I get home. It looks like it will work good for heavy loads for the 45 Colt as well as light to medium-heavy loads in the 454 so it seams to be just what I was looking for. Now lets just hope it burns clean and shoot accuratly.