IMR 4227

[hdxr750]

I have been shooting a 44 special along with a 240. gr cast bullet. I like 15.5 gr. of 4227, but I find unburned powder in the gun and even in the spent cases. I use a standard large pistol primer. Does anyone use a Magnum primer with 4227?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

IMR 4227 is a very slow powder and used mostly in large magnum cartridges like the 44 magnum. I didn't find any loads for that weight bullet with that powder for the 44 special. That might explain the unburned powder. If that is a published load about the only thing you could do to make it burn better is make sure you have a very strong crimp to get it to burn more completely. I would suggest changing powder to something like Unique or Universal and aim for the same velocity.

 

[REP1954]

I have been shooting a 44 special along with a 240. gr cast bullet. I like 15.5 gr. of 4227, but I find unburned powder in the gun and even in the spent cases. I use a standard large pistol primer. Does anyone use a Magnum primer with 4227?

Are you getting the required performance from your load after all you said your was one that you like? I shoot Unique about 90% of the time in 38spl up to 44spl and get great accuracy and I have unburned powder all the time and the same is true when I step up to 2400 for some heavier loads, I almost always use standard primers. If I load hot for 44 mag with WW296 or H110 then I use magnum primers. If it's working and your getting satisfaction why not keep on being satisfied.

If you think you have a unburned powder problem now then don't ever load up any black powder cartridges.

 

[toroflow]

I'd certainly use a faster burning powder like the other folks mention (Unique, etc.) as if nothing else you can save money on powder (using 15.5 grains of 4227 versus 7 grains of Unique, as an example).

 

[Rclark]

In .44 Special, the load that came together for me was 17.5g of 4227 using CCI-350s (4227 is best with Magnum primers) of course under 240g SWC. IMR 4227 no matter what load leaves some granules around. Doesn't hurt a thing. While a good load, I went back to the Skeeter load (7.5g Unique under 240-250g SWC) for the simple reason ... less powder and still a very good load.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I agree with those above. 4227 is best used in the upper end loads similar to 2400 to get complete burn. Also a good firm crimp will help to get the powder to burn more completely. I use a lot of IMR 4227 in the large bores,.45 Colt,.44 mag.
I mostly use Winchester WLP primers in these.
The load data that you got your loads from should spec out the primer to use.
You did get that load info from a reliable source , yes! No!???

 

[Chief 101]

save your unburned powder and reload with it...if you like the way it works what difference does it make

 

[hdxr750]

I think I've seen the errors of my ways. 7 gr of Unique or 12.5 grs of 2400 is what I'm going to switch to. Hey Thanks for the help. Randy

 

[gramps]

I think I've seen the errors of my ways. 7 gr of Unique or 12.5 grs of 2400 is what I'm going to switch to. Hey Thanks for the help. Randy

You might want to check that 2400 load-wimpy, big time!
gramps