[warddc]

My first experience with loading .357 mag and H-110 was great. Based upon what I had read here I loaded up some .357s with WSPM primers and a whole lotta H-110. The gun I'm using is a stainless S&W 686-3, 6" factory ported barrel with a bushnell holosight. Typically I just reload 357 for target type velocities but I had a hankerin for some full boat loads. (Stress relief from work ya know.)

I loaded some 125 gr Rem JSP with 21.5 gr of H-110. That much powder in the 357 case looks like it might be a compressed load just barely. The recoil was suprisingly mild (almost could describe as 'smooth'). The rounds were very accurate. The gun and brass were also very clean after shooting. The wife did say when I got back inside the house that "those rounds sounded a whole lot louder than normal." They do have a nice report to them.

If the sun would ever shine here I would like to chrono the load. The Hogdon manual says that load should be around 1800 fps.

The only problem I had was that the H-110 powder is VERY fine and static cling was more noticeable than with other powders I have used. Anyway I think I like my .357 mag even more now. :D

Dave.

[griz]

As I remember that manual uses a longer than normal barrel. It's still a good hot load. From a 6 inch barrel you should get around 1500-1600.

[Kamicosmos]

HooRah! from another H110 fan. Big ol fireball maker. I call rounds loaded with H110 Crowd Pleasers. :evil:

[m1911joe]

Mine loaded with 19grs of H110 I call Flame Throwers. :fire: :neener:


Just saw the new hand out from Hogdon and they are calling for 22grs have to give them a try out of my GP 100. Should be fun. :D

[Archie]

when things work out right?

[Clark]

The first time I shot H110 it was 22 gr H110, 125 gr JHP in a S&W model 60 J frame.

I was afraid, the it said, "no load reductions" and I was so green I believed that.

I tied up the little revolver and got behind some protection and pulled a trigger string.

The pistol fired and came flying back passed my hiding spot. It came loose, from how I tied it up. THe primer was top hatted. The smoke smelled good.

[warddc]

I must admit that I had some reservations on pulling the trigger on the first group. Even though that load is in the Hogdon manual, it seemed like ALOT of powder and magnum primers to boot.

dave.

[yesterdaysyouth]

i just used h110 for the first time today.....

21 gr. behind 180gr in 357max....
it went boom...
it grouped real nice too....

time to move up.....:D

[Johnny Guest]

Clark, please tell me you didn't go ahead and hand-shoot any of that load in a J-frame! Yes, I know that IS a posted MAXIMUM load on the Hodgon web site, and in an L-frame, I MIGHT try it out. But, in a J-frame . . . .

Don't tell me, let me guess: Your little revolver showed no ill effects following that test, right?

wow.

Best,
Johnny

[Johnny Guest]

yesterdaysyouth - -
You had me going for a second, until I saw you referred to the top load for .357 Maximum cartridge. That one is Hodgon's Never Exceed load, I notice. If you wish to share your progress with us, please do include the required cautionary language.

(Why moderators get grey . . . .)

:p
Best,
Johnny

[444]

H110 is a wonderful powder. Certainly a staple on my bench for a number of calibers. I have never really played around much with 125 grain bullets in the .357 but after reading this thread I am going to have to give it a try.

I have fired max charges of H110 and 158 grain and 180 grain bullets out of my 2 1/4" SP101.

As I mentioned in a previous thread, H110 really comes into it's own with long barrels. Shooting my H110 loads out of a 2 1/4" SP101, a 4" GP100, and a 18.5" Carbine showed as much as 500+fps advantage of the carbine over the 4" GP100.

[Black Snowman]

In my Desert Eagle 6" DELETED BY MODERATOR

:evil:

It's also my staple for .44 Mag. .357 doesn't have much wiggle room for the powder weights but is my 1st choice for full power loads, especially in my Taurus 669 with it's ported 6" barrel.

EDIT: Oops, sorry folks. The load data I posted earlier was for my 6" .50 AE Desert Eagle, I didn't mean to imply to load that much in a .357 Mag

Posted from work and must have been interupted or distracted.

Thanks to the ever vigilant mods for catching that. Another good example as to why you should always confirm load data.

[Johnny Guest]

Black Snowman's original post, reconstructed and SLIGHTLY eidted:
In my Desert Eagle 6" .50 AE, with the Speer 385 gr. UniCor HP bullet the full 32.0 gr of H-110 loads make a beutiful three foot long flame out the front of the gun and an impressive concussion. Accuracy is much better with the "will barely cycle the slide" 27.0 gr of H-110 but their fireball is only about a foot long. :evil:

It's also my staple for .44 Mag. .357 doesn't have much wiggle room for the powder weights but is my 1st choice for full power loads, especially in my Taurus 669 with it's ported 6" barrel. In the PM, I promised that if it was clarified, I'd restore the deleted material. I believe the above is true to the original intent.
Johnny

[Gewehr98]

Soon as I burn through the rest of my 4 pounds of WW296, I'm gonna give H110 a go at the 158gr loads in my .357 Desert Eagle. I did hear a rumor somewhere that H110 and WW296 are manufactured in the same facility.

Dunno, but when my buddy's .44 Magnum Desert Eagle sent his 300gr Speer handloads downrange, it was on top of a goodly amount of H110. I was impressed by the fireball and the accuracy of the big gas gun. Hence my decision to buy my own gas gun.

[Turk]

I've used H-110 for years and it's one of finest powders for my larger hammers. 41, 44 Mag. 45 Colt, 454 Casull use it also for the 357 mag.

My close second is 2400. If you haven't tried any Accurate #9 try it as it produces some very good moderate range loads.

I'm going this weekend to pick up a 8 pound jug as I'm just about out.

Have a good day and remember to pray for the safety of our troops.

Turk

[cdbeaver]

H110 also works well in the .22 Hornet. Haven't noticed any fireballs yet.

[1badmagnum]

if you guys like h110 try some wc820 from gibrass,$8 per pound delivered to your door.
wc820f(hs7) can be used for smaller calibers 9mm,357,40,10mm,45acp.
these two powders let me load everything from9mm to 50 ae.

[444]

I finally got around to loading up some .357, 125 grain SPs with 22.0 grains of H110. Fired them out of my 4" GP100. Nice stout load. I am not sure what niche it fills for me, but it was fun. It sounded very loud even with hearing protection. It seemed to be accurate although I only fired a couple groups with it. I did fire two groups as fast as I could pull the trigger from about 10 yards. It is certainly a viable choice for a defense load; I didn't have any problem controlling it. Probably about as fast as I would be shooting with a 1911. All shots were in the 10 ring of a 25 yard pistol target with 3x both times.
I didn't chono it because my chronograph is currently out of service. I lost one of the little aluminum rods that hold the sun shades on it.
I also loaded up a bunch of 110 grain HPs with 16.0 grains of Blue Dot which the Alliant website lists as giving 2040 fps out of a 5.6" barrel. I have chonoed this load before out of my 6.5" Blackhawk and got an average velocity of 1980 fps. Today, out of my GP100, this load grouped into one ragged hole at 25 yards with a large fireball to boot. This load shoots a 110 grain bullet as fast as an M1 carbine only here we are using a handgun.
I want to run both of these loads through my 2" SP101, my 4" GP100, the 6.5" Blackhawk, and my 18" Marlin Carbine and see what kind of numbers I get out of the various barrel lengths.
I guess the 125 grain load would be dandy for coyotes. I normally use the 110 grain load for them, but why not expand my horizons ?

[HSMITH]

The current manual calls for 22 grains as a never exceed with a 125 XTP in 357 mag. I have been there and a tad more but find that day in and day out my M19 is topped out plus a little at 22 grains. It is big STOUT. I don't know what they shot 22 grains in but it must have been a slick loose fast pig of a gun. Anything over about 21 is getting REAL stout. Be careful guys.

EDIT:corrected load data and removed reference to a load that exceeds current recommended maximums.

[HogRider]

I guess I have to try that load in the Redhawk. Right now I'm experimenting with Lil'Gun but H 110 is next.

[444]

Using 158 grain bullets, I got significantly higher velocity with H110 over Lil Gun. However I got the most velocity using AA #9. Using max loads from the manual I got 1234 fps with Lil Gun, 1321 fps with H110, and 1354 fps with AA #9 again, this with 158 grain JHP bullets (five shot averages from a 4" Ruger GP100 at 15 feet from the screens).
I haven't done much at all with 125 grain bullets, but I guess I am starting that now.

HSMITH
The manual says 23 grains ? I dont' have a manual, I was using the charge listed on their website, which was 22 grains.

[Black Snowman]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data BELOW currently published MINIMUMS for this cartridge and powder. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Don't see that warning every day although there was that "primer only" load thread, but on to the point . . .

Lil'Gun is very similar in burn rate and the manual data looks good. Being eaiser to ignite I was hoping there would be load data out with it sometime for the .50 AE but after experimenting with loads I found that even down to the minimum ammount of H-110 to lock the slide back on the last round reliably that ignition was completely reliable. That light .50 AE load is 27.0 gr of H110 with a CCI LPM primer and a Speer 325 gr GDHP set to near MCOL.

Wheras, depending on the manual, some of the data for anything less than MAX loads .357 Magnum with just about any bullet generated unburnt powder and near squibs even with a heavy crimp and magnum primers. It's this experiance that origionally had me looking at Lil'Gun when it first appeard as a replacement.

YMMV and all the other usuall disclaimers.

[444]

Well for loads less than max, I wouldn't use H110.
In .357, for my everyday plinking loads I use either Bullseye, or Unique. Usually Bullseye since that is the same powder I use for my everyday plinking loads in .38 Special. Both with 158 grain cast SWC bullets.

[JohnK]

Soon as I burn through the rest of my 4 pounds of WW296, I'm gonna give H110 a go at the 158gr loads in my .357 Desert Eagle. I did hear a rumor somewhere that H110 and WW296 are manufactured in the same facility.

I asked Hodgdon if H110 and 296 where the same stuff in different packages, they said it was and any differences were just what you would normally see between different lots of powder.

Winchester didn't respond when I asked them the same question.

[Gordon]

Ha!, that explains THAT mystery, I been using H110 for years!;) just been buying it from Winchester!

[Clark]

When comparing powders for idenity theft:
1) color
2) grain size
3) grain shape
4) smell
5) density
6) same pressure sign with same load.


Sometimes I ask myself questions like:
"Is Ramshot Enforcer really AA#9?"
"Is H110 really W296?"
"What is that powder in my powder trickler?"

[chm27]

Interesting to see this thread here tonight!
Just yesterday, I also had the wonderful experience of my first time using H-110. I used 16 grains and a 158 grain JHP and CCI-550. I took a dozen up to the range, lodaed up 6 in my 4 5/8" 357blackhawk, aimed.. fired..
WOW totally impressive!!
Also surprising was the fact that the rounds didn't kick as much as the Winchester 125's I use once in a while.
I was really happy with this load!! Accurate as well.
Other folks at the range used to come over asking what I was shooting with the Winchesters.. I can't wait til the weather gets warmer hehehe..
These were much louder and the flash was unreal. Good way to keep the gun warm on these cold days too!
Just thought I'd throw in my great experience!
Happy Holidays :D

chm

[HSMITH]

444, my 2003 basic handloaders manual, the pamphlet that Hodgdon puts out, calls for 22 just like you said. I stand corrected and apologize. I will edit and post appropriate warnings in my other post.

[Poodleshooter]

Well, I've been using 21.5grs of H110's twin for a year or so now under 125gr JHP's. So now I'm under maximum instead of 3 grs over.
Funny how that load data works.

[GooseGestapo]

Keep in mind folks that the MAX for H-110 used to be 20.0gr with the 125gr and 15.0 with the 158gr bullets

Again, what your seeing is Lot-to-Lot variation in that powder!!
Win296 is H110,(I've seen the 40lb cannisters with both labels on them-made by Primex in St.Marks plant) - but through the years (I've been using it in Hornets, .30 Carbine, .357's, .41's, and .44's for ~30years) and the latest batch is a little slower and more forgiving than others have been.

ENJOY IT WHILE IT LAST'S !!!!

But you small frame shooters (J,K,O, newer small frame colts, ect.) will be crying the BLUE'S about those "FIRE-BALL" loads "loosening" up your !@##%%^^ weak "sorry' guns in a couple of years. (Nothing wrong with the guns, just not up to long term use with THOSE loads)

That heavy load of H110 and a 125gr bullet ARE GREAT LOADS. I've shot many of them through K and L frame guns, at 21.0gr for around 1,450fps from a 4" bbl !!!!!

But they are THROAT ERODERS if ever there were any!!!
Shoot them if you like, I DO !!!

JUST BEWARE !

BTW: GaARM's "georgia deer stopper" load used to use the Sierra 158JHP and 16.5gr of H110, fwiw, and depending on the barrel/gun they were fired through, attain the claimed 1,500fps m.v. My 4" m-686 would get 1,525+/-, but my 6" 686 would only get 1,470fps+/- with same box 6-shot average. Go Figure !!!!! (4" was more accurate than 6" too- much tighter gun OTB)
And yes, they cratered primers too!!!
About like the Winchester 125grHP factory loads I was issued.

Younger generations' finding out about why some of us weren't real wild about having to turn in our .357 revolvers in the switch to the "spray and pray" 'Tupperware-hardware".;)

[Sisco]

Great stuff. I use it in .41 mag, .357, .30 carbine, .22 hornet and probably somewhere else that I forgot about.

[Clark]

I spent the morning with H110/W296 and Sierra 180 gr .310" bullets in an SKS.

[Sven]

What are your pet 30 carbine loads with H-110?

[jibjab]

I got the most velocity using AA #9. Using max loads from the manual I got 1234 fps with Lil Gun, 1321 fps with H110, and 1354 fps with AA #9 again, this with 158 grain JHP bullets (five shot averages from a 4" Ruger GP100 at 15 feet from the screens).
444, have you tried 180gr XTPs with these powders, AA#9 really out shines the others w/heavy jacketed bullets.

[Mal H]

You do realize that this thread is over 4 years old. Member "444" hasn't visited THR for over a year.

[jibjab]

I feel like I just stepped in to it, the twilight zone that is :o You do realize that this thread is over 4 years old. Member "444" hasn't visited THR for over a year. I'm such a duffus :banghead:

[Mal H]

I'm just messin' with you, jibjab. ;)

Here's what happened - someone added a post asking a separate question concerning H110 which didn't belong in this thread. That post was moved to a new thread and this one should have sunk back out of sight at that time. However, you saw the thread while it was being edited, and posted at about the exact same time it was in limbo (about a 10 second time period). A rare set of events that only happens about once every 2 or 3 years that I am aware of.

[The Bushmaster]

It's all in the timing...

[Clark]

Reloading manuals take more suspended disbelief than the twilight zone TV show.

[Crazy4nitro]

21.5gr of H-110 under a 125 JSP ran 1525 fps avg from my GP-100.

'Nitro

[subierex]

H110 is my powder of choice for "howitzer" loads out of my 45LC Hartford lever gun. With a 250gr XTP, it's like shooting a 12ga without buttpad. Destroyer of milkjugs it is.:p

[ForneyRider]

+1 on H110.

use 20gr for 210gr JHP, JSP in .41 for reg. load.
use 22.3gr for 210gr JHP, JSP in .41 for max. load. I've seen some go 23gr for that size bullet, but it is hard to stuff 23gr as the 22gr is already a compressed load.

Powder is a little sticky.

[RDub]

I loaded some 125 gr Rem JSP with 21.5 gr of H-110. That much powder in the 357 case looks like it might be a compressed load just barely. The recoil was suprisingly mild (almost could describe as 'smooth'). The rounds were very accurate. The gun and brass were also very clean after shooting. The wife did say when I got back inside the house that "those rounds sounded a whole lot louder than normal." They do have a nice report to them.

Hi
I have tested and chronographed that very same load in my 4" 686, (along with dozens of others), and the load produced velocities averaging 1275fps. The load was extremely accurate and I believe was 'the' most accurate load I have tested so far. I was looking for something in the 1400+fps range.
Factory 125gr JHP's from Fed, Rem and WW chonograph at 1450fps on average in 4" barrels.

I have concluded that H-110 works the best with bullets 140grs and heavier for top velocities, but as you found, it can be very accurate with lighter bullets.

[zxcvbob]

I tried some 296 and Blue Dot heavy loads in my .45LC Ruger Bisley for the first time last week. 255 grain cast bullets with 24.2 grains of 296 or 16.0 grains of Blue Dot. I was a bit timid the first time I touched one off.

The 296's were fun to shoot, but I wouldn't want to shoot them all day long. Impressive noise and recoil, but the recoil was not as "sharp" as with other powders.

The Blue Dot loads were disappointing. Not really much hotter than my usual Red Dot loads, and less than my usual Herco or WSF loads. I may try 16.5 grains next time. Or maybe I'll abandon BD for the .45 and just use it for .357's, or see if I can work up a good .30 Carbine load with it.

[FM12]

I used 110/296 in .44 mag for a while when shooting steel silhouette competitions...This was the reduced range with targets at 25, 50 75 and 100 yds...the loads were so strong that i'd hit the chicken at 25 yds and knock them almost to the 50 yard line! BUT, the recoil was so severe that the cylinder release on my S&W m29 would cut into my thumb. Gusher city! EXTREMELY accurate loads, however, and more push than snap in the recoil.

[tinch]

I have been reloading for just 2 years now. I reload 7mm-08 and .41 mag mostly. Both rounds used in hand guns. My "mentor" suggested H110 for the .41 and varget for the 7-08. I have also tried H414 in 7-08 and its pretty good also. Thats about all I've used! Yes I've seen the other powders listed in my manuals, but never really gave them much attention. So...after shooting all this H110 in near max loads, with good results mind you, I'm thinking of seeing what the "not so full power loads" feel like. Any suggestions?
Thank you

[hawkeye1]

Welcome to H110.

It is wonderful powder for full house loads. Be advised- never reduce the loads more than 3%. This is definitely full power load powder.

With that said, I love H110 in my 454. It is super accurate. 30.5 grains H110 with a home cast 310 grain LWFN with gas check cast from wheel weights. it is accurate and no leading.

As for the static cling. I just wipe out the tube on my powder measure with one of those drier sheets for static cling and that takes care of the problem. give it a try.

Good shooting

[EddieCoyle]

I used to use quite a bit of H110 in my 460 XVR (my favorite load was 48 grains of H110 with a Hornady 240gr XTP MAG).

I've since switched over to Lil' Gun for both the .460 and .500 due to H110's erosion issues.

[hawkeye1]

Erosion Issues?