44 MAG ZERO QUESTION?

[44 Flattop]

Can't wait to hear the results! 

2400 is a good powder and I like it for cast bullets quite a lot.  But I'm a bigger fan of W296 for jacketed bullets so if you got a chance to pick up some should the 2400 not give you the accuracy or velocity you are looking for. 

Like JKEEN33 mentions, don't leave off a nice tight crimp.  That is so very important.

44

[JackOfAllTrades]

I sure wouldn't be using an XTP or any other HP for bear, even as a backup. 
You can mess with the 250's and 270's if you want, but for my money I'd jump right to 300's if you are thinking of a heavier bullet.  Speer makes a dandy 300gr JSP that would be the cats meow with about 19grs of AA#9 -OR- 20.5grs of W296

44

Please note that the 19grns of AA#9 is a warm load. With 300gn Sierra SP, it is one of my Bear loads for a RSBH. Work up your loads safely. I equal that load with 21gns of Win296. Another pet load is a Sierra 250gn FPJ which is a lead exposed bullet that gives incredible bone busting penetration. I get great accuracy with 19.5gns of AA#9 or 23.5gns of Win296 for that bullet.

For thin skinned animals, (deer), the Sierra 240gn JHC is a great bullet pushed with 21.5gns of AA#9 or a 260gn hard lead cast SWC pushed with 8gns of 231. 

Remember to use a heavy crimp with these heavy jacketed bullets.

Oh... I zero at 50yds. Iron sights out to 75yds off hand, 100 with a rest.

-Steve