.357 Caliber and Winchester 296 ball powder

[44Caliber]

I use S&W 2 inch and 6 inch revolvers.

I wish to load 125 grain jacketed bullets with Winchester 296 powder.

Has anybody reloaded with this specific mix ? what powder charge ?

and any signs of excessive pressure etc?

44Caliber

 

[hoghunting]

Here's the site for Hodgdon, IMR, and winchester powders:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[44Caliber]

357 and Winchester 296 powder

Thanks for the web site information.

I visited that web site this morning. They recommend 21 gr Winchester 296 with 125 gr bullet but their data were collected with a 10 inch gun.

I am looking for someone who has used Winchester 296 with 125 gr bullet in either a 2 in, 4inch, or 6 inch revolver as to what charge they used.

21 gr of Winchester 296 sounds pretty stout , as I shoot a 240 gr bullet on top of 22.8 gr Winchester 296 in my 6 inch 44 magnum.

 

[Slamfire]

Well the recommended load may be stiff, but that's the problem with W296 and the same powder sold as H110. You cannot download the stuff. Somewhere in the loading manual is a warning not to reduce the charges. With this powder it is always pedal to the medal.

I recommend 2400. I have used that for decades in the 357 and you can load it full power or three quarter power and it still shoots excellently.

 

[Grumulkin]

I am looking for someone who has used Winchester 296 with 125 gr bullet in either a 2 in, 4inch, or 6 inch revolver as to what charge they used.

The length of the barrel is a bit irrelevant. If it worked well in a 10 inch barrel, it will probably work in a 2 inch barrel as well.

 

[Steve C]

W296 like H110 is volume sensitive and you don't download it more than 3% of the maximum or go below recommended start loads. Its for full power only and will throw a huge ball of fire from a 2" barrel. Personally I prefer these 2 powders with bullet 158gr or heavier. Expect rapid flame cutting with these slow powders and light bullets as the amounts of powders are significant. Make sure to use a tight crimp.

Blue Dot is the slowest powder I use with 125gr bullets.