Alternate ( NOT H110) powder for 357 Rem Maximum

[renaissance]

Alternate ( NOT H110) powder for 357 Rem Maximum

Have been playing with two new barrels for my TC Contender (in carbine configuration).

Hand Loading for:
357 Rem Maximum (180 and 158 grain Jacketed)
and
45 Winchester Magnum (230 grain Jacketed)

Working with the 45 Win Magnum........
The usual powder recommended was H110 and it called for >20 grains.
Found this to be a "punishing" load recoil wise
Then I found a published load using HP-38 (10 grains).
Found this to be much more plesant, and gave me all the accuracy I wanted.
( I am shooting targets at 25 yards - not trying to "kill")

Now working with the 357 Rem Maximum, again I find published loads using ( almost exclusively) H110.

Can anyone recommened a load using something like HP-38.

If the 45 Win Mag can be tamed with a faster powder resulting in less recoil and still yeilding safe accurate rounds - seems there must be a way to do the same with the 357 Rem Maximum.

I would like to stick to some of the more common (easier to find) powders like the common Hodgdon line or ????????
__________________
An Armed Society,
Is a Polite Society.

 

[Walkalong]

I have not tried those two calibers, but Universal Clays has worked well for me when downloading the .357 & .44 mags to medium power levels.

For even lighter loadings than that HP-38, or its twin W231, should work fine, but I have not tried it.

I have used 700X and it works well in the .357 Mag & .44 Mag for light loads, so I would think it would work for downloading the .357 Max as well. It burns very clean at low pressure and is very accurate as well. It is bulky as well and fills the case better than W231 or HP-38.

 

[GTSteve03]

Maybe 2400?

Slow-burning powder, good for heavy-weight magnum loads, should work, right?

 

[critter]

Might look at Blue Dot.

 

[Bad Flynch]

Try some Unique for medium-range loads. It has worked well for a long, long, time.

 

[redneck2]

( I am shooting targets at 25 yards - not trying to "kill")

I suspect this is the dilemma. You're using a high power round for plinking. It's an obscure cartridge that was made for semi-high performance and you're trying to plink with it.

I'd get something that has the same bore diameter with less case capacity (.38 Sp maybe) and use their mild loads. You'll have less pressure. Start with fairly fast powder and work your way up.

I'd pass on the Unique. IMO, it will be a mess. Too dirty if it's not pushed. I'd get something faster, like AA5. HP-38 might work. Look at a burn rate chart.

 

[renaissance]

For Redneck2

I shoot at an Indoor Range
Max Distance 25 Yards
Limited to "Pistol" rounds

I am trying to simulate/emulate/prepare for > Bench Rest Target Shooting

Useing a TC Contender in "Carbine" configuration.

These two calibers were recommended to me as:
1. Meeting the range limitations ("Pistol Calibers" )
and
2. Having potential BR Accuracy

I am also looking for a .44 Mag Barrel for my Contender

Know where I can get one "reasonable" ??

 

[QuickRick]

Alternate 357 Max powder for H-110

I've never loaded 357 Max but try...stevespages.com
then my pages, then table 4 (reloading)... he lists a bunch of different bullet weights and powders for the 357 Max...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

.

 

[Brian Williams]

The max is just that,MAX, if you want to download, use mag cases, otherwise load'em up. Try 2400 and PM Peter M Eink. , he has a 357 max and it working up some good loads.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Try Titegroup. It works extremely well in small doses in big cases. For my .460 and .500 Magnums, Titegroup is the best powder for light loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

OK, this data is for Jacketed bullets from the Speer Reloading Manual #13:

180 gr bullet
W296
20.5 gr @1715 fps
18.5 gr @1572 fps

2400
16.5 gr @1585 fps
14.5 gr @1437 fps

AA1680
26.0 gr @1849 fps (Compressed Load)
24.0 gr @1685 fps

158 gr bullets
W296
23.5 gr @2046 fps
21.5 gr @1883 fps

2400
18.5 gr @1895 fps
16.5 gr @1747 fps

AA1680
27.0 gr @1938 fps (Compressed Load)
25.0 gr @1796 fps

 

[GooseGestapo]

Do what most .357mag shooters did for years...............

Use either a .357mag or .38spl case for reduced loads and use that respective cartridges brass.

A friend had a .357max barrel for an H&R Handi-rifle. Actually it was an original Topper and barrel was some left over parts that was aquired by Numrich Arms (from when H&R went defunct in the mid '80's) before they became GunParts, INC.

We shot MANY .38spl and .357mag rounds through it.

For midrange loads, that's what I'd do.

Besides, you'll always know the .357max brass are just that !!!