Originally Posted By dump1567:
I've been reloading for it with AA#9. I tried 21 grs. for .44 mag with a 240 gr. jacketed bullet. And 21 grs. for .50 DE with a 300 gr. bullet. The .44 mag worked fine, but I don't think the 21 grs. where enough for the .50AE to cycle consistently. I was going to bump it up to 21.8 grs. for both (which is a max load for a .44 mag in some manuals, although my older manual lists 22 grs. And the starting load for .50 AE).
I know I can just adjust my powder thrower for each caliber, but does anyone use the same powder load for both .44 & .50? Maybe move to a heavier bullet in .50 and try 21 grs. again?
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That's a nice looking setup you have.
I really like AA#9 for .357 and .44, but I have only used H110 when loading .50AE. (fireballs are fun!) That powder would absolutely not work for what you are trying to do.
But looking at a couple load manuals, you should be able to get a .44/.50 load that uses the same charge of AA#9.
I have gone up to 22.0 gr. of AA#9 in .44 with a 240 gr. bullet with no issues. The Lyman 50th lists 23.5 gr. of AA#9 as max load, so you should still have some headroom.
As you noted, you could go to a heavier bullet in the .50. Alternately, you could try a lighter bullet in the .44 Mag. The Hornady 10th ed. lists AA#9 with a 200 gr. XTP, and that one goes from 20.5 gr. to 24.5 gr. of powder. That actually matches up pretty well with the load range of a 300 gr .50AE. Might be worth trying, and I suspect you should be able to still get the lighter bullet to cycle the gun reliably.
That's what I'd try. But then, I don't have any problem adjusting the powder measure. It's still fun to see what you can get to work.
Let us know what you come up with.