Conflicting data on 357 H110

[robMaine]

Quick question regarding conflicting data on H110 loadings, specifically with 357mag 125gr XTP.

I have loaded up a few rounds based on the Hornady Manuals data: 125gr XTP, 18.5gr of H110. In the Hornady manual this is a middle of the road H110 load. However, upon review of other manuals, I am seeing this same load specifying a 21gr minimum load and I know H110 can be dangerous is downloaded too much. Any thoughts on the safety of my load? Any explanations for the varying data? Does it have to do with the SAMMI changes in the early 90's for 357 pressure?

 

[HOWARD J]

HODGDON SHOWS 125 GR XTP
H110--21 start
22-Max

 

[mavracer]

Yes there's a lot of conflicting data not everybody uses the same primer, seating depth can vary and not everybody uses the same method to test pressure some data may still be CUP and some is PSI.
All that said I moved away from the 125gr smoking hot loads with h110 and W296 as they erode the forcing cone a lot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not all load data sources adhere to Hodgdon's 3% rule when using H110/W296, they are going by the normal 10% reduction from the Max charge.

With any data other than data supplied by Hodgdon it's a good practice to reduce the Max charge they list by 3% to find the starting charge weight. In most cases you will see the starting charge is 10% lower than the Max charge.

 

[buck460XVR]

Not all load data sources adhere to Hodgdon's 3% rule when using H110/W296, they are going by the normal 10% reduction from the Max charge.

If you look at some of Hodgdon's loads you will see that THEY don't always adhere to their own 3% rule when it comes to min-max loads with H110/W296. I have some Hodgdon published loads that have over a 10% reduction from max to min. If one follows manuals and uses common sense, there should be no problem. Obviously, if one manual's starting charge is above the max charge for another manual and components are the same, then one manual is high, one manual is low, and as a handloader, the common sense thing would be to start in the middle. One reason I always recommend folks have more than a single reference for load recipes is so they can compare the differences that are out there. Just as important for good ignition with H110/W296 as the proper powder charge, is the use of a magnum primer, good neck tension and a heavy crimp.

 

[Steve C]

H110 is a volume sensitive powder. Use no less than the start charges listed in the data and make sure you are using heavy crimp and the specified magnum primer.

I will not use H110/W296 with bullets lighter than 140gr in the .357 mag as the resulting velocities can be exceeded with charges using 1/2 the powder weight of faster powders like Unique in published loads. The only usefulness to H110/W296 in the .357 mag with a bullet under 140gr would be if it was being shot from a rifle or carbine for use on varmints.

Some people like to load H110 just for the pyrotechnics but such childish endeavors IMO are not worth the flame cutting damage to my revolvers.

 

[robMaine]

Thanks guys. I used H110 because I had some left over from a 44mag work up. Bottom line, would you all feel safe firing the load I described in the OP (18.5gr H110, 125gr XTP, magnum primer, heavy crimp)?

 

[Ifishsum]

If you're using a Hornady bullet within their published data, I would feel safe with it.

 

[2ndtimer]

I would feel safe firing it, but I wouldn't expect it to be very consistent as the W-296/H-110 loads work best at maximum load density. I also wouldn't use it with bullets lighter than 140 gr. Alliant 2400 is quite a bit more flexible with charge weights and bullet weights than the ball powders. YMMV

 

[gamestalker]

Absolutely, I would, and do feel perfectly safe using that 18.5 gr. charge for 125 gr. XTP's.

I've tried just about every major publishing for that powder, and they all did fairly well, in other words no problems that created functional issues. What I did notice was the lighter conflicting data showed some signs of border line low pressures. So far as I'm concerned, Hornady, Sierra, Speer, Nosler, Lyman, Hodgdon (H110), and Winchester (296), is all good functional data. Just make sure to use magnum primers, and effect a good firm roll crimp.

The way I usually do it is, I use data specific to the bullet when possible, other wise I'll just run with powder manufacturer data.

GS

 

[dragon813gt]

If you're using a Hornady bullet within their published data, I would feel safe with it.

Same here. Hornady tested all the loads published in their manual. I would not use that load for a 125gr XTP w/ another manufacturer's bullet.

 

[robMaine]

Thanks guys! Appreciate it, just got super nervous after all the warnings I read about going below Hodgdons published minimum.

 

[HOWARD J]

I been using H110 on my GP-100's for many many years & see no damage on the forcing cone

 

[gamestalker]

Like wise, I've been using every jacketed weight bullet out there including 110's 125's, 140's, and 158's with this powder with no sign of FC damage, or any other negative result.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

And I wouldn't expect to see any damage in a GP-100 or M686 because they were both designed after 125gr jacketed .357 Magnum ammo was introduced to the market.

The S&W K frame revolver is not at all a weak revolver. The K frame .357 Magnum was designed and produced when 158gr lead bullets were the mainstay of commercial ammo. You can shoot all the 158gr LSWC full power .357 Magnum ammo in a K frame and that revolver will not fail. The problems came in when lighter jacketed bullets were pushed to ungodly velocities compared to the ammo the gun was designed around. A very hard 125gr bullet @ over 1750 fps took it's toll on the K frame revolver's forcing cone. The revolver was not weak, it just wasn't designed to handle the newer ammo with a lighter and faster bullet.

If someone loaded a 110gr jacketed bullet @ 1100 fps and fired it in a Terrier (38 S&W) that usually shoots a 146gr lead bullet @ below 700 fps and the forcing cone cracked you wouldn't blame the revolver, would you?

 

[savanahsdad]

Thanks guys. I used H110 because I had some left over from a 44mag work up. Bottom line, would you all feel safe firing the load I described in the OP (18.5gr H110, 125gr XTP, magnum primer, heavy crimp)?

what gun are you shooting them in ??? ArchAngel made a good point , however S&W fixed that forcing cone concern some years back . some of the old 66's were known for cracking forcing cones , at least 9 years back I read that the newer K frames had improved forcing cones , now what year the fix was made I don't know , but I'd bet someone here dose ,