357 Magnum....Which Primer/

[Zeke Menuar]

My Oregon Trail reloading manual is missing-in-action. I think my wife may have cleaned again. I need some info.
I am going to switch from Blue Dot to H-110 for my primary 357 load. I am using a 180gr hard cast bullet. Do I use a standard primer or a magnum primer? With the Blue Dot load I used a standard primer with good results. I am thinking it may be different for H-110.

Thanks
ZM

 

[Mike Irwin]

I use standard primers with WW 296 (same powder as H110) with no problems.

Just use a good solid crimp.

 

[stans]

I use standard primers in 357 except with H-110 and W-296, for those powders I do use a magnum primer. I would also consider a magnum primer for AA#9.

 

[m1911joe]

Magnum primers only with H110. Did some with standard primers they
were not hot enought to get all the powder to burn.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Magnum primers it is then.

Thanks
ZM

 

[HSMITH]

I have had decent luck with H110 and standard primers from Winchester and Federal as long as the load density was pretty high but once you get into compressed charges in 357 mag you need the magnum primers. CCI standard primers were a dismal failure regardless of density, they just don't have the oomph to get 110 lit. Magnum primers MANDATE you lower charges and work back up. Overall accuracy is better with magnum primers for me and less unburnt powder left in the gun.

Not mandatory, but almost mandatory to use magnum primers with H110.

How about "highly recommended"?

 

[Ala Dan]

Magnum primers with H110 or 2400, the standard
variety for everything else.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.

 

[Tony Mig]

I loaded 50 rounds of .357 with 6.5 Grs. of Bullseye, and used CCI #550 (SPM) primers as the Allient manual called for Federal #200's, and it was my understanding that the Federal #200 was their magnum primer.
Results were good, as these rounds displayed full power and velocity, but I was told by others that using a magnum primer with a fast burning powder could cause high pressure problems. Shooting these loads from my Ruger GP-100 (6" barrel) they performed well....(not as accurate as my .38 loads, but overall good performance)....and it didn't appear that there was any excess pressure.

I'm planning to use 2400 in my next batch of .357's with the CCI #550 primers, as it is my understanding that this powder is more suited for use in magnum loads with magnum primers, and it should make for better accuracy.

 

[stans]

It is usually safe to use magnum primers with the faster powders, but you may need to back off your charge by one or two tenths of a grain. Magnum primers are usually not used with faster powders because the faster powder is easier to ignite and does not require the extra expense of a magnum primer.

 

[caz223]

Actually, I use cci magnum primers for H110, 2400, and blue dot.
Had a few problems with ignition in cold weather with compressed loads of blue dot in 10mm.

I can't make up my mind on 357SIG with blue dot, both CCI standard and magnum seem to do a fine job, but accuracy was lacking, I switched to winchester primers, and it seems that cured the accuracy problems.
I think that it still could be better.

 

[HSMITH]

caz, try some Longshot, I have not used it in 357 sig but it SHINES in everything else. It will outrun Blue Dot by a good margin too.

 

[caz223]

I can't seem to find any data for longshot on anything.
I even looked in the hodgdon online manual, not listed for 357SIG.
Looked through my stack of books and I don't see it listed....
Is it fairly new, or just a powder that is beginning to expand to other uses?
It sounds like the thing to try.....

 

[HSMITH]

It is a couple years old, I am thinking it came out in late '01 but you had a hard time getting any for almost a year since the shotgunners bought it out instantly when it hit the shelves. It is now stocked at several shops around here all the time.

The data I use is from the '03 basic reloaders guide, some of the early data on it has been pulled or changed. Longshot data is rather warm. I downloaded and emailed you the '02 online version, it has two loads is all but at least it will give you an idea of what it can do. I have found very nice accuracy with BIG speed using it.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Magnum primers only with H110. Did some with standard primers they

Ditto.

I also tried Winchesters Primers that state for normal or magnum small pistol, and didn't get great results in 3 different .357s with H110.

Blue Dot, however, seemed just peachy with the Winchester primers.

 

[caz223]

Much gras, HSMITH.

 

[Grump]

FWIW, I think the RCBS cast bullet guide showed standard primers for H110 and WW296 in .357, but ONLY for the 180-gr bullets.