TX Nimrod
First, while primer appearance is indeed poor way to judge, it is also one of the few ways I do have to judge. You have to work with what you have. And this case I was able to see a discernable difference between the first 3 and last load.
Second for 240jhp in 44spl with power pistol
Hornady Max 6.8 Winchester large pistol hornady brass
Alliant 7.6 CCI 300 primer Large Pistol remington brass
Alliant 7.0 federal 150 primer large pistol federal brass
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=8&cartridge=32
Alliant uses speer JHP, which in 240g, all have a similar profile and crimp location compared to the hornady XTP. Also I am using starline brass which is not listed in any of the loads listed, and is of equal or better quality than any listed last I checked.
So in regards to my initial load workup, I was and am within published load data. I also put the disclaimer and notes in red on this last batch of testing as I exceeded published data.
Third, as already stated, these are being fired in a 44mag/44spl lever gun. So even if these are a touch over pressure they are still well within the limits of the firearm. I do not have any 44spl chambered pistols to be concerned with mixing the loads, and I do not share my reloads.
Fourth, I expected H110 to perform poorly. That does not mean I can't try it. The load data was for a 5.6in pistol, and I was curious to see how it would perform in a rifle. It was slower than the listed pistol data. While not in a cartridge with optimal pressure, I anticipated it might exceed the listed pistol data with the slower powder in the long barrel, but it was below it, thus I was disappointed.
Lastly, I came to share what I was working on and the odd results I got. I got some advice along the way as usual and as usual most of it was on point. I by no means ignored the advice given, I simply decided I wanted to try something to see what the results were in my specific setup and factored that into my expectations. See the fourth section.
P.S. Don't get yourself in trouble publishing copyrighted photos