I'm starting to develop my loads for my 44 mag, what is the best way to pick a powder.

In the past I picked a familiar name and used it, is this right or wrong

I'm thinking of using blue dot

You're reloading manuals will point you in the right direction for cast and jacketed slugs of different weights. I do use blue dot for a couple 44 loads but prefer 2400, good luck.

I prefer 296. Gives me the best accuracy most of the time
But I would try several and use what works best

I use W231 for softball loads and W296 for the others and I find they work well. You'll find that the .44mag is an easy caliber to load for.

+ 1 -- couldn't agree more.

I like H110 and W296 according to Brian Pearce(Handloader Journal) there suppose to be equal now,I use the same powder charges with either .2400 does fine but is a little too dirty for my liking.

I've used both the H110 and the 296 and if they aren't the same they are as close as they can be. I use H110 exclusively on everything from the 32HR to the 500Linebaugh and all shoot excellent.

I was having a hard time getting H110 a couple years back and went ahead and stocked up on W296 and started using the same powder charge for the 296 as my 110 loads and didn't notice any difference at all,I had always read where 296 was just a little more pressure than 110 but that was many years ago that I had read that and just like I said I use both powders with the same charges and don't notice any differences so I stock up on 296 when I can't get the 110.