14.5 grains of 2400 under a 158 XTP or hardcast is my go to .357 load. I worked it up to 14.9 grains of 2400 (in the GP100 only).14.4 of AA#9 is also a good one in that gun. The GP100 can handle tons of full power loads. I load 7.5 grains of Unique also in my GP100's and Blackhawk under a 158 but would hesitate doing that in a smaller frame Smith. I don't usually shoot mild loads in my Rugers. I don't get the velocity gains with H110/W296 to justify using it over 2400 or AA#9 in the 357 magnum. In bigger bore magnums and hot (Ruger only) 45 Colt the H110/W296 shines. If you run into some AA#9 I think you'll find it comparable to the 2400. It uses about a half grain less powder charge. I only raise charges by 2 tenths of a grain once I get to a warm load and want to increase it further, while measuring case heads for expansion, looking for flattened primers and loosened pockets, and monitoring the chrono.Didn't realize my question would generate many conversations but that is great to get all this information. Well, yesterday I was able to get out and shoot my first reloads. I loaded ten at 11.5grns of 2400 with XTPs, ten with 13 grns of 2400 and ten with 14.5 grns of 2400. I shot 3 factory loads first just to remember what the factory loads felt and sounded like then I shot my reloads. The 11.5s sounded and felt lighter than the factory, the 13s felt and sounded like the factory, and the 14.5s were louder and more recoil that the factory. It felt like a great accomplishment to make my own cartridges and shoot them. I think I am hooked now!!!Thanks again for all the great info that everyone has shared. I will certainly feed back any help on THR that I have.
Competition or WST under an X-Treme 158 gr SWC. Coated bullets or lead will work too. Lots of light recoiling fun for all.
I still love those bullets! I like their plated double end wad cutters to.
According to Alliant, your load should be around 950 fps, give or take.
I am with Legionnaire on this, but would add H110 and AA#9 just to have something different. I've had some really good loads with both of them. My deer load for my GP is 180gr xtp over a near max load of H110. Haven't chrono'd it but the same bullet with AA#9 was 1200 fps out of my 6 inch.
I think you are fine. The Speer No. 14 manual shows a start charge of 18.0 gr of H-110 with their various 125 gr bullets. (and a maximum of just 20.0 gr, for what it is worth.). If I recall correctly, Winchester used to list a Max load of their 296 powder as 18.5 gr. with a caution not to reduce. That was like 40 years ago, so the burn rate might have changed since then.
When I don't want the full effect of H110/296, I use IMR4227, which I find very user friendly and which allows some range in load weights. Next step down from that would be AA#7.
In general, if you try to go outside load data limits, you should be waiting to get the right powder (or bullet, or gun). Making do with what's on the shelf is okay as long as it fits the proven data.
You asked "what do you think?".
