Good, clean powder recommendation for 357

[ANATION]

Ok so my 2400 is very accurate but it leaves a few unburnt kernels even with hotter loads. These Kernels have actually gummed up my cylinder and are much messier. What’s a good alternative powder that burns a little cleaner? I have Unique but I’m limited with what I can do with it. Besides, for my 38 special loads I have the same problem. Thanks for any recommendation.

 

[jonb32248]

I did a search and seems Win231 and power Pistol seem like a popular powder but clean I'm not sure you'll find a clean powder. I see different powders claiming to be clean but all the ones I use are not what i would call clean. Look up in your manual and see what's there I have also seen HP-38.Just not sure what your going to actually find on the shelf.

 

[cfullgraf]

Ok so my 2400 is very accurate but it leaves a few unburnt kernels even with hotter loads. .

That is the main reason I stopped using 2400 back in the early 1980's.

W296 burns pretty clean if you are looking for full power loads but be aware of W296's limitation on reducing the powder from maximum loads.

Unique and Blue Dot leave little unburned residue in the chambers but the smoke will coat the outside of the gun. It does not bother me as it wipes right off but some folks do not like it.

W231 burns clean as well.

I'm sure there are other powders that would serve your purposes, there are many more on the market than what I have tried.

 

[WrongHanded]

Compared to 2400:

300-MP is pretty clean.

I haven't used Power Pistol or BE-86 in .357 Magnum, but they're both pretty clean in .357 Sig (the only cartridge I've used them with). Though that is a slightly higher pressure cartridge at 40K psi.

 

[JO JO]

I just started trying AA#7 in my 44 loading mid range and it is doing very well might be worth looking at

 

[ColtPythonElite]

BE-86 or Power Pistol. I have used a lot of each in .357 with no complaints

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I never had any issues with 2400 but i never minded cleaning my guns ether you might want to give Blue Dot a try i found that it worked well for me for mid range loads and I really don't remember it being a dirty powder but like I said i like cleaning my guns almost as much as shooting them

 

[joneb]

I am very happy with Accurate #9 in a 2.75" Ruger Security Six, 13.6-13.8gr of #9 behind a 158gr xtp with a spp will getter done.

 

[AJC1]

If your looking for less than magnum velocity the fast powders will be clean. Tightgroup or bullseye at max will be cleaner but not as fast. On the hogden website I found 6.1 grains of tg below a 158 xtp going mag velosity. I havent tried it but tg is clean.

 

[rg1]

AA#9 works best for my revolver and carbine rifle. Use Accurate Arms data available on-line. My favorite bullet is Hornady's 158 gr. XTP's.

 

[Random 8]

For full power, H110. For .357 MId power, HS-6 (it will approach max velocities with lighter bullets). For low power and .38 Special, either HP-38 (my pick), WST or Titegroup. I've found all of these to be very clean powders in .38 and .357 with both cast and jacketed bullets.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

For .357 MId power, HS-6 (it will approach max velocities with lighter bullets).

I very much agree with this, with the caveat that HS-6 will burn clean only in the upper pressure range. I also don't think that lighter bullets are a requirement. I use standard for cartridge bullet weights.

I use HS-6 fairly extensively in not-quite full power loads for 44 Mag and 357 Mag. I like it.

HS-6 and Accurate #7 would be my recommendation.

 

[Walkalong]

BE-86 is great for midrange .357 with 158s. I use 2400 for "full power" coated/plated/jacketed 158s in .357 Mag.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For full power .357 Magnum loads give either AA#9 or Alliant 300-MP a try. I use both 2400 and W296 for my .357 Magnum ammo. I have never had a problem with 2400 clogging up the works.

Good luck.

 

[ANATION]

Thanks for all the advice. Think I’ll see if I can buy a pound of AA#9

 

[Reeferman]

HS6 works very well for any of my 357 mid upper loads.

 

[Jim Watson]

I'd look for Vihtavuori N110. Don't be confused by the number, it has no connection with H110.

 

[SlowFuse]

H-110 was my "do-all" for pretty much every magnum I load. In one of the last powder shortages I couldn't find any and gave Ramshot Enforcer a try.

This from what I understand is the same stuff as Accurate 4100, just like H-110 is W296 and HP-38 is W231. The Enforcer burns a bit cleaner for me vs. H-110, although the 110 wasn't bad if you keep one thing in mind... it isn't made to be loaded light, it's a typical magnum powder that likes mid-range published data and up with a decent crimp. Since you were using 2400 and mention the hotter loads part, you are likely already aware. I don't see mention of what type of projectiles you're using, but this or the Accurate 4100 variety should give you similar results to 2400 and will likely be cleaner.

As for the 38 special, HP-38 is always my go to on that one. I like Unique too but can't say its the cleanest.

I think it's worthwhile mentioning other brands besides the "old faithfuls" since selection may not be ideal where you are. Ramshot Zip works well for velocities similar to HP-38 and from memory burns clean. True Blue and AA#5 (my HS-6 replacements in some calibers during same said shortage) will work good in the 357 and will be fine in the special as well for upper end loads, AA#5 stands out for me on 38 +P.

There are quite a few good powders in this range that would likely suit your needs for both, Blue Dot and CFE Pistol are worth a look. If it works really well in the 38 special however, it may not be great at producing those upper end velocities in the 357. As already mentioned, the slower powders in the 38 are more prone to leaving unburned powder, will be trial and error for just about anything to see what's actually the cleanest. Part of the fun.

 

[jleyring]

W231 and H110 Are the two primary powders Ive used for 357Mag. Both have preformed very well.

 

[labnoti]

You don't want to overlook the primer. In my experience, using one type of primer will result in a lot of black soot while using another with the same load will result in almost none.

If you're using cast lead bullets with wax lube, that will also produce a lot of filth.

You may see the kernels or skeletons of the powder and think the powder is the problem, but the reason they're sticking to the gun may have to do with other factors. If they were blowing clean out of the gun, you might not have any reason to be concerned about the powder.

The most common reason for a powder to burn dirty is because there is insufficient pressure for its characteristics. Some people might observe that W231 burns "clean," but it is not a great thing for W231 to generate substantial pressure and its characteristic small, flattened balls are easily combusted. On the other hand, in many larger cartridges, powders like IMR 4227 or Alliant Steel don't easily reach high pressures without a voluminous load of quite large granules. They may need a primer with greater ignition force, a longer barrel, and to be loaded in sufficient mass so as to reach a pressure at which they readily combust. This doesn't make them "dirty" powders. It makes those loads where you have too little of them in front of a wimpy primer, a dirty load.

 

[Walkalong]

I'd look for Vihtavuori N110. Don't be confused by the number, it has no connection with H110.

I definitely agree with N-110 over AA #9 in .357 Mag. And I am an AA #9 fan.

 

[Metal God]

I just started using Titegroup and it’s super clean and accurate as hell from my GP 100 . The one thing I hate is that it’s pretty much unseeable in the case in my LCT press because of the low charge .

So I’d like to add to the question . Is there a clean bulky powder ? I ended up dropping the Titegroup charge with a stand alone powder measure into a 40S&W case first so I can view the charge then dump/pour it in the funnle/powder through die on the press . Not as quick but gives me a little more peace of mind .

 

[BigGee]

I use Power Pistol for hot 38 +P loads. For mid / high 357... AA #7 is a winner !

Edit - MP 300 did nothing for me with a 6" GP100. Poor velocity & very poor groups.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I've been watching this thread with interest, my thanks to all who've contributed to this thread. I snagged two 1 lb containers of H110, same lot number, locally today but just missed the small magnum primers for 357 loads. I'm waiting for my next opportunity - again.

I did snag some Winchester Large Pistol and CCI Large Pistol Magnum primers locally today for .44 loads, it's a start.

 

[gunlaw]

Blue Dot works well for me in 357 mag. Be sure to stick to 158g and heavier bullets to heed the safety warnings regarding this cartridge,Blue Dot,and lighter bullets.