I just bought a new to me SRH in .44 mag with a 7 1/2 in barrel. I have not shot it yet as I am wanting to develop my own loads for it. I am mainly interested in good accurate loads so that I can get used to the gun. Later (next fall) I plan on using it for deer and antelope. In doing research on handloads on this site, others and reloading manuals I have gained more questions.
First, what primers do you suggest Large pistol or the magnums? I understand that some powders like H110 will do better with the mag primers but I am not sure that I will use that powder and don't want to have a bunch that I don't use.
Second, I reload .357 mag with Unique and 700x does anyone here use those powders with the 44? If so what results have you had?
Third, is there any not too expensive factory ammo you would recommend that has good brass and would be good for seeing how this gun shoots so I have something to compare handloads to?
Thanks in advance!

welcome 06shooter some of the best load guys here to get u going i only load 44 and use IMR 4227 HORNADY BULLETS.there are so many combos thow.

Welcome 06 shooter!
In the 44 mag I'm an H-110 guy. I have always used mag primers in the 44 mag. IF memory serves, I believe I switched to WW large pistol primers (for mag & standard loads??) due to availabilability a couple years ago. They seemed to work fine for me.
Have heard from some that mag primers are more reliable at lower temps. I did chrono identical loads of H-110 in my 480 Ruger & standard WW large pistol primers vs Federal mag primers. The mag primers actually gave higher deviations & lower velocities. This was at 25*.

The SRH works best with 296 and the Fed 150 primer. Depends on the bullet or boolit you use but the 240 XTP is best with 24 gr, the 300 with 20.5 gr. Lee 310 gr boolit and LBT 320 is best with 21.5 gr. RD 265 uses 22 gr.
I have no idea how H110 and 296 compares today since Hodgdon supplies both now but H110 always worked best in the standard RH and 296 is always better in the SBH and SRH.
They are the same powder but with a slight difference in burn rate due to batches for WW and Hodgdon.
The SRH is a wonderful gun, it will do 1/2" at 50 yards from a rest.
My groups triple in size with mag primers. Primer pressure is too much and moves bullets out of the brass before good ignition.

Be aware that both 4227 powders are very heat sensitive in the .44. OK with a cold gun and accurate but do not get anything hot. Velocity and pressure will increase and primers will flatten.
I will not load that powder in the .44. Not in the .45 Colt either. It works in other calibers.

I have the same gun as you do, mine prefers 2400,win. primers and a 240 gr. hardcast.

I have always used H110 or W296,31.5 gr. of either under a Hornady 180 gr.hollowpoint and have always had good accuracy,3 inch groups at 150 yards off of a rest.I use C.C.I. 350 mag. primers.Out of my gun they clock 1750 f.p.s.,out of my brothers gun they clock just over 1800 f.p.s.

To each his own I guess. My SRH likes H-110 and CCI's LOL

I "think" that 296 and H-110 are basically the same know just as you mentioned. If fact I have been told by distributers that the only difference is that they are from different lots.

Welcome to the Forum 06Shooter!!

Another good load in my SRH is a 240 SWC and 2400. It is an old Keith load...

2400 was, is and will always be a great powder. I can not say anything bad about it.

I use win 296 and WLP primers. Have a very accurate load with 4 SBH's and a marlin 1894. Homecase slugs weighing 252gr. Sized at .430 and lubed with Javelina 50/50

Hornady XTP's in 240gr are very accurate out of my guns as well. I DO NOT use them however as I have shot a number of deer and massive quantity hogs with them and have yet to have one ever expand. I get the same results with cast slugs and they are free as I make them.

Chaos

LOL 430man! I generally just throw everything I have or can down a barrel and just keep feeding it what it likes the best! I don’t argue with what works...

Are you relatively new to handguns or just new to hunting type handguns?

Have you shot a .44mag or comparable big bore revolver much?

If you answer yes to either or both of these questions you may be well served to load a few light loads to get accustomed to the gun before trying the great hotter loads that have been suggested.

If the lighter loads would help, I have started a few folks with a 240gr swc over 8.5grs of W231 with a 300 CCI large pistol primer that is a softball load at about 1000fps that shoots lights out and has taken whitetails out to about 70yds with no problem. As a matter of fact, this is one of my preferred hunting loads just bumped up to about 9.5grs. JMO

WIth the above said,I defer to the knowledge and experience of these guys on all matters gun.

I like a 240 XTP over 2400 with a mag primer

It's 296 exclusively for me nowadays. A couple of decades ago, I used almost nothing but 2400 and it served my purposes well.

jwarren gave out some good advive on using reduced loads to start with. You asked about Unique. You should be able to load between 7 and 10 grains of Unique under a 240 lead for an all round plinking round. That will let you get comfortable shooting it. For heavy loads I like AA #9, H110, and 296 myself.
You asked about brass. I would probably just buy new brass myself. If you really want to buy loaded ammo, I would just go to Wal-Mart and pick up Remington, Winchester or Federal, Which ever is cheaper. It would be better to stay with one brand if possible, so that you only have one brand of brass to load.
NOTE: Loaded ammo will probably be loaded fairly warm. You might want to start with new brass, and lite load it from the start and work up to heavier loads as you get comfortable with it.

HSM ammo (thru Cabela's) is a medium load with 240 SWC's, around 1150 fps.

Winchester white box with 240 hollow points is over 1150 fps. Not overly stout but it gets your attention.

Hornady with lighter bullets (200 gr., 20 to a box) are a bit extreme for my liking. Over 1400 fps. VERY loud and a lot of muzzle flash and cylinder flash. Very concussive blast, even 15-20 feet away to the side and behind. I shot 4 and closed the box. They would be better in a rifle and that's probably what they are designed for. (I guess to use the other 16, I'll just HAVE to pick up a lever gun in .44, huh?)

Can't help you with the powders you have but a mag primer is not necessary.I have used CCI 300s and WWLPs with success,using H110.As a matter of fact I haven't used a mag primer in a while.

i agree ive always used 2400 , in my sbh, and redhawks, with a cci 350 mag primer...and back off a bit from max loads

The .44 case is not large. The magnum primer has enough force to push a bullet out of the brass before good ignition and that changes air space between every shot. It has the same affect as seating all of your bullets a different depth.
Don't believe the manuals and gun comics, do your own testing. Just making your revolver go "bang" reduces the wonder of super accuracy.
I have to ask all of those using mag primers to post 50 and 100 yard groups. Please don't post 25 yards or closer.
There is a point with case capacity and caliber when the mag primer is needed but it is NOT with the .44.