Advice needed on data

[Indycar]

For years the Winchester reloading data book listed my favorite .44 Magnum load of 25 grains of W296 with a 246 gr cast lead bullet and WLP primer and 24 grains of W296 for a 240 gr jacketed bullet.

The latest Win book and their website don't list any loads of W296 for cast bullets and have jacketed bullet W296 loads listed with a 23 grain max.

I emailed the Win tech support with this question and never received and answerer. I'm concerned that the W296 may have been reformulated and isn't safe to reload to the old data. Should I stick with the old W296 load or switch to the old Elmer Kieth 2400 load? .

[MAINER]

Sorry, no Win 296 data newer than 1997. Same as yours. Have not heard of any changes. I use 296 in .22 Hornet, 21grs of 2400 in 44 mag just cause I got a lot of it. Your call, but I see no reason to change your load as yet.

[Greensborobob]

Hodgdon now supplies Winchester powders so do you think you followed the correct links to the Hodgdon people?

I would track down those folks. They may not know anything about the specific loads you are asking about but they should know if there has been any tinkering with the formulation.

[Indycar]

I've sent e-mails to both Winchester and Hogden. I haven't heard back from either company.

[K. Funk]

Well, worst case, buy a new can of 296 and rework your load and compare chronograph/accuracy results. Also, just because it isn't listed doesn't mean it doesn't still work. In my experience with 240gr XTP's out of my Ruger .44's, my accuracy falls off over a certain load with almost any powder tried. 24gr H110 super, 25 gr H110, not so super. Same with IMR 4227 and Winchester 630.

krf

[fire for effect]

Typically, loads for Jacketed Bullets are lower than for Lead bullet loads, because The lead bullet develops less resistance and lower pressure as it goes down the barrel .