500 S&W Magnum and H110?

[G11354]

Working up some lighter loads for my 500 S&W Mag with H110 pushing a 350gr bullet. Have recently read that light loads with H110 may be risky and was looking for input.

According to Hornady load manual MIN charge with H110 is 35.4gr and MAX is 43gr. Was looking to settle on 37gr.

 

[buck460XVR]

The issue with H110/W296 and light loads is when going below starting levels. Hornady is always a bit anemic with H110/W296. Hodgdon shows a start load of 39gr with a 350 gr jacketed. Hodgdon shows a mag primer, Hornady shows a standard. The Hornady specs should be safe, but with a light load such as 37gr, I'd want to use a mag primer with H11/W296 along with a heavy crimp. If you are looking at running softer .500 mag loads, I'd try some IMR4227. Lyman even shows a reduced load using Unique with a 350 gr jacketed. H110/W296 has very narrow parameters, but within those parameters works very well. Lyman shows a start load of 38.8 with H110/W296 and 350 grainers.

 

[Parman]

I've had pretty good luck with IMR 4227 with 350 gr bullets.

 

[G11354]

Appreciate the feedback. I am using CCI large rifle primers with a stout crimp. May look into alternative powders after seeing how H110 fairs. Only powder I had on hand that had published load data for the 500 mag.

 

[sugarmaker]

How many fps are you looking for?

 

[Reefinmike]

how are standard large rifle primers working for you? Im getting everything lined up to load for the caliber but I went out and bought 5k standard large rifle primers only to see some sources suggest a large rifle magnum primer for h110/w296. are you chrono'ing any of these loads?

Hodgdon as well as many manuals warn of downloading h110/w296 due to possibility of incomplete burn/squib loads. Hodgdon says "do not reduce more than 3% from max load data). I see this rule broken all the time without any issues other than maybe erratic velocity with low charge weights. However- you should always know how to recognize a squib if/when you get one.

 

[msokad]

I've been using a large rifle primer and 39 grains of H110 with Hornady 350 bullets without any issues. Definitely not a light load, but not max either. H110/296 hates light loads and can be dangerous if reduced too much.

 

[G11354]

I'm just now working up test loads and I happened to have a pound of H110 on my bench so I cant say how the large rifle primers are working. Sadly I do not own a chronograph.

My current test loads range from 37gr up to 42gr of H110.

Regarding fps, I have no set number in mind. Just loading up so I can enjoy it at the range. I was originally aiming for 37gr to stay a safe distance from the suggested minimum charge of 35.4gr. Based on what im reading here I may settle on a 39gr charge.

 

[TimSr]

According to Hornady load manual MIN charge with H110 is 35.4gr and MAX is 43gr. Was looking to settle on 37gr.

I really take issue with Hornady specs of a range this wide for this powder, when Hodgdon emphatically states to never drop below a 3% reduction of the max. 37 is pretty close, and should be okay but I wouldn't drop at all below that. If you want something lighter, another powder would be in order.

While magnum pistol primers are always specified over standard pistol primers of mfgs who over them, it is far less critical for those cartridges that use rifle primers, though it might affect consistency. While 100 is considered a very slow pistol powder, it is very fast for a rifle powder.

 

[G11354]

Tested my reloads starting at 37.0gr of h110 and stopping at 42.0gr, no issues of any kind. Best I can tell is that there is no "light" load using h110, kicked like a mule regardless. Good fun none the less.

Appreciate everyones feedback.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hodgdon says 39.0gr is the starting charge so Lyman is right there. I agree H110 probably isn't the powder to use overlooking for a wide range of charges.

If you are looking for powder puff loads try Trail Boss with lead bullets. Hodgdon supplies light load data using Titegroup. (starting charge just over 1000 fps)

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Hodgkin says 39.0gr is the starting charge so Lyman is right there. I agree H110 probably isn't the powder to use overlooking for a wide range of charges.

If you are looking for powder puff loads try Trail Boss with lead bullets. Hodgdon supplies light load data using Titegroup. (starting charge just over 1000 fps)

Yes agreed if you want a light load at all go with a different powder. H110/w296 is not in any way BEST suited for light loads.

 

[eldon519]

I really take issue with Hornady specs of a range this wide for this powder, when Hodgdon emphatically states to never drop below a 3% reduction of the max.

Hodgdon doesn't even follow their own rule much of the time, so I wouldn't say they are "emphatic" about it.

I don't think you'll have any problem with the 37gr. The combustion is all relative to heat and pressure. Keep in mind a starting .500 S&W is already generating pressure well above the max for a .357 magnum or .44 magnum. A good example is .45 Colt +P and .454 Casull. A .45 Colt +P max load will be about the starting load for a similar .454 Casull load. Starting data for the .45 Colt +P will be well below starting data for the .454. But it isn't like the H110 knows to suddenly stop igniting because it is now in a .454-spec load instead of a .45 Colt load and now may be 10% below max rather than 3% below max. It's about how much pressure/heat there is in the case while combusting.

 

[joem1945]

I use H110 and LR CCI primers. Works pretty well for me.