H110 is one of the only powders I don't do load work with. It has always given best accuracy for me at max in 357 mag. My load is 16.5.
1st .357 Loading... Now What?
- Thread starter eddiememphis
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GeoDudeFlorida
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Out of what?
P Flados
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I would not start under 15. I do not see much gain going above 15.5 or possibly 16. Why not try a dozen at 15, a dozen at 15.5, and a few at 16. I expect you will be happy with the 15.5. This should be good for both handgun and long gun.
For true magnum loads, 296/H110 will give you top performance and actually works pretty good. You probably are best off using it since you have it. If you end up liking it in the rifle but not in the handgun (blast will be worse with a shorter barrel), you may want to start looking for another powder sooner rather than later. Otherwise, when you are getting low on what you have, I would look at other choices for "next time". I used to use a lot of 296/H110. It is more finicky than I like and can have problems with inconsistent ignition if you do not have enough bullet pull and crimp. Lil Gun is another magnum pistol powder that gives good performance but I have avoided as it seems to come with "issues".
For the 357, there are a lot of 2400 fans out there and pretty much nobody complains about it. When I was looking for a 296/H110 alternative, I picked up 16 lbs of Shooters World Heavy Pistol (same as Lovex D-037.2 and near identical to Accurate #9) on sale at a real good price. It is just a tad faster than 2400 and 296/H110. It is a nice metering ball powder but is a whole lot less finicky than 296/H110. At max I may loose 50 to 100 fps, but I can download it a lot without worries. Although the Heavy Pistol works great, I really do not load many "full power" 357 magnums. I have bigger handguns that I tend to use if I want more than a mid range 357 load will deliver. The biggest use of my full power 357 loads is in a Henry lever gun.
For mid range loads, I use a 120 gr powder coat cast bullet and a fast burning powder loaded to about 27,000 psi (6.3 gr Promo). I load a lot of these as they make for a satisfying bang (much more than a 38) with a low cost per round and no drama.
For mild loads, I drop down to 38 pressure levels, but still use a 357 case. These are mild enough to work with tumble lube instead of PC. These get loaded in even larger quantities than the mid range stuff.
For true magnum loads, 296/H110 will give you top performance and actually works pretty good. You probably are best off using it since you have it. If you end up liking it in the rifle but not in the handgun (blast will be worse with a shorter barrel), you may want to start looking for another powder sooner rather than later. Otherwise, when you are getting low on what you have, I would look at other choices for "next time". I used to use a lot of 296/H110. It is more finicky than I like and can have problems with inconsistent ignition if you do not have enough bullet pull and crimp. Lil Gun is another magnum pistol powder that gives good performance but I have avoided as it seems to come with "issues".
For the 357, there are a lot of 2400 fans out there and pretty much nobody complains about it. When I was looking for a 296/H110 alternative, I picked up 16 lbs of Shooters World Heavy Pistol (same as Lovex D-037.2 and near identical to Accurate #9) on sale at a real good price. It is just a tad faster than 2400 and 296/H110. It is a nice metering ball powder but is a whole lot less finicky than 296/H110. At max I may loose 50 to 100 fps, but I can download it a lot without worries. Although the Heavy Pistol works great, I really do not load many "full power" 357 magnums. I have bigger handguns that I tend to use if I want more than a mid range 357 load will deliver. The biggest use of my full power 357 loads is in a Henry lever gun.
For mid range loads, I use a 120 gr powder coat cast bullet and a fast burning powder loaded to about 27,000 psi (6.3 gr Promo). I load a lot of these as they make for a satisfying bang (much more than a 38) with a low cost per round and no drama.
For mild loads, I drop down to 38 pressure levels, but still use a 357 case. These are mild enough to work with tumble lube instead of PC. These get loaded in even larger quantities than the mid range stuff.
Ironicaintit
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OP
OP
eddiememphis
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Yes. The die I used decaps and sizes in one stroke.
EricBu
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Grab a copy of Hodgdon's Reloading magazine........load data for all their powders, great resource. The 2021 issue shows the Following:
158 gr Hornady XTP w/ H110 = COL: 1.58 Start charge 15.0 grains, Max charge 16.7.
If you search "Hodgdon Load Data" you'll find their load data website, punch in caliber and bullet weight.......and it'll spit out load data.
My standard .357 Magnum load is 16.7 grains of H110 under a 158gr JSP, which I run in a Coonan 1911 in .357 Magnum, a Marlin Lever Gun, and a smattering of revolvers. This load chronos at nearly 1800 fps in the lever gun, and not far from that in the Coonan. It's hefty, and you know you're shooting a .357..... For your revolver I'd guess you'll end up somewhere around 15.5 or so for a nice comfortable shooting basic .357 round.
Ironicaintit
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Okay just checkin
.45Coltguy
Member
OP, if you have either Alliant 2400 or Hodgdon Universal, you'll like those. More forgiving for Mid loads than 110/296. They're very good powders for the.357.
OP
OP
eddiememphis
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Just to throw another monkey in the wrench...
Guess what showed up in the mail today?
Time to open another can of worms...
Guess what showed up in the mail today?
Time to open another can of worms...
reloaded_in_pa
Member
My favorite worms for 38 special. 5gr of 231 makes a great plinking load for Steel targets.
I've tried the 125s with 296 for the 357 but it was snappy and not a lot of fun to shoot more than a cylinder full.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Do not mix those with h110. They shoot well. But will damage a revolver.
BTW I second the Universal suggestion. It works well from mild to 3/4 velocity loads in 357.
AJC1
Member
I was thinking flame cutting the top strap but wasn't sure. 110s are supposed to be real bad.
I did it to a nice model 65 S&W. Ran max loads of H110 with 125s. It was a learning experience.
Now I run 110s and 125s with something like Universal in 357 or titegroup in 38+P.
I've since gone to 180gr cast and H110. It has less blast and a smoother recoil than the old flamethrowers.
.45Coltguy
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You want to try a real good load with those 180's? 11.5gr Alliant 2400. Shazaam!
Mr_Flintstone
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But they work spectacularly from a Henry Rifle.
No one will talk me out of H110 for performance loads.
My 180's are stepping out just sh 1900 from a 20" barrel. It's accurate and kills like a much higher recoiling rifle.
The same load is accurate in my Blackhawk.
Yes they do. I thought the OP was referencing revolvers also.
OP
OP
eddiememphis
Member
Look up flame cutting and throat erosion.
The lighter bullet uses more powder. More powder equals more flame and powder fragments ejected from the cylinder gap. This causes more damage per round fired.
Rate of fire also plays into it.
Blue68f100
Member
If you want a very mild mouse fart load, 4.8gr WST behind your 158gr LSWC. Like shoot a 22 when shot in a big heavy revolver.
12.5gr of 2400 is another good load with the 158gr pills. Does not require a mag primer and can be downloaded.
Like said you don't want to shoot 125gr or lighter using the W296/H110. Not good on the firearm.
12.5gr of 2400 is another good load with the 158gr pills. Does not require a mag primer and can be downloaded.
Like said you don't want to shoot 125gr or lighter using the W296/H110. Not good on the firearm.
.45Coltguy
Member
That 2400/180gr load I mentioned is shot thru my Henry, 20" barrel. Mighty good gong thumper!
No one is trying to talk anyone out of their 110 load. A lot of shooters like 110/296. Nothing wrong with that.
No one is trying to talk anyone out of their 110 load. A lot of shooters like 110/296. Nothing wrong with that.
docbrown
Member
I don't load for that particular bullet, but I do load a Speer bullet that is similar. CCI 550 with 14.7 grains of H-110/296 and both my 357 revolvers like it. Could go hotter if I wanted, but it shoots POA/POI.
For plinking, I am thinking you would be better served with 231, Power Pistol, Unique or another powder. I find that shooting full power magnum loads is a small part of my range time than it used to be.
For plinking, I am thinking you would be better served with 231, Power Pistol, Unique or another powder. I find that shooting full power magnum loads is a small part of my range time than it used to be.
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