H110 for .357 Mag

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JohnnyB

Member
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
55
Location
Eastern PA
I currently reload for a few calibers, and .357 is one of them. I have nearly a pound of Hodgdon H110 available, I see that Hodgdon's data states that for a 125 gr Hornady XTP bullet, the starting load is 21 gr of H110. The calculated velocity for that load is 1881 fps. That seems like quite a potent load. I will be using it in a Ruger GP100. I don't plan on hunting with it, just curious what it would shoot like. I was planning on just loading 24 or so.
I normally load somewhat milder loads that factory for target shooting, so I won't be using this load often.
Anyone else out there ever loaded that load? And if so, how was the accuracy, and recoil?
thanks in advance,
John
 
It is rather potent, very loud, and the muzzle blast is excessive using 1 less grain of H110 (20 grains with Hornady 125 XTPs. I would use H110/WW296 only if I wanted full power loads. * grains of Unique with the 125 Hornady makes a good target load. Incidentally, my experience is with a 4-inch GP100.
 
Last edited:
Hodgdon's listed velocity is always very optimistic and much faster than you will likely see from the typical revolver. The reason is they use a 10" test barrel and as they don't specify that its vented it is most likely a fixed breach. If you want to see what length test barrel they use, click the print button. Actual velocity will likely be 70 to 75% of what they say for a 4" or 6" barrel length in your pistol.

As others have mentioned, muzzle blast is excessive as well as flame cutting from the large amount of powder being used. Personally I only use H110 or W296 for bullets 158gr or heavier.
 
That and 296 just happen to be the ONLY powders I load .357 with and it is potent, as potent as it gets. Depending on what barrel you are shooting it from is going to determine the velocity though. I shoot from a snubby S&W and a Taurus 608 and am getting about 1500 fps with a charge of 21.0 grains. If you really want to have some fun, load up the 110 grain XTP with a 23.0 grian charge. Velocity jumped up to nearly 1800 fps in my little snubby and slightly more than that from my T608. It's obviously not an econo powder to load with because of those powder charges, but it does satisfy my need for speed. That Ruger will handle it just fine other than the flame throwing and heavy recoil, even with the 110 grain bullet.
 
In all honesty even reducing the charge to listed minimum doesn't make a noticable difference in muzzle blast or recoil. Simply put, this powder is all out full house magnum load stuff, and nothing less. I noticed someone said they perfer the heavier bullet with it. I tried the 158 grain Gold Dot bullet with 17.5 grains of H110, it was actually really nice to shoot compared to the lighter 125s and 110s. Velocity with the 158s was still pretty good, 1250s and is the bullet I load for S.D. most of the time.
 
hogdon's 26th edition shows 19.0gn of h110 as max for a 125gn jhp bullet. velocity is 1822fps and 34,200 cup out of a 7" test barrel. fwiw

murf
 
I'm sorry I didn't have my M686 revolver with me the day I sent a lot of .357 Magnum ammo over the Chrono. I was checking out hunting loads and was shooting them through an 18.5" Marlin Carbine.

I used a charge of 22.0gr H110/W296 under a 125gr Hornady XTP/HP bullet and the AV was 2239 fps. I used a Winchester SPM primer and an OAL of 1.590". That load was screaming from a rifle and I can't tell you if the bullet held together or not downrange.
 
the load is still only 41,400 cup. sammi max is 45,000. go figure

murf
 
I've been loading 125gr JHP with 20.3gr of 296 @1.585. I get 1505 fps from a 6" GP100. CCI magnum primer, heavy rolled crimp. I've never loaded up to the max of 22gr listed in my manuals but if I were to guess I would speculate 22gr would be pushing along close to 1650fps. 1500fps is a very stout load, so that is where I've stayed, never had any problems despite them being below the mostly recommended 21grs of 296.
 
I used a charge of 22.0gr H110/W296 under a 125gr Hornady XTP/HP bullet and the AV was 2239 fps.
Click to expand...

ArchAngelCD, have you tested the accuracy of this load, and how was it? Lyman 49th lists a charge of 21gr as the accuracy load for rifle, I have been curious. Currently though I am testing with LilGun in my 1894, don't have any H110 on hand.
 
Here is my data.


The H110 gives TONS of muzzle flash...for not a whole lot of increased velocity over Unique. Everyone says Unique is not good for max loads. My manual says 9.6gr as max for a 125gr bullet. I am up to 9.4grains now with no over-pressure signs at all. It is plenty hot for me and I'll stay there as my standard load. I shoot a lot of 125gr lead RN since they are the cheapest and are plenty hot to have fun blasting holes in paper. I loaded up some 125gr XTPs with the H110 for a hunting round while in the woods.

H110 gave me an additional 45fps out of my 3" SP101, I wouldn't expect it to add more than 75fps out of the 4" gun. I don't think it's worth it for all the muzzle blast it creates. I'll shoot my .44 if I think I need more power than 600ft-lbs
 
I load gobs of .357 with H110/296 and haven't seem any viable difference through the chronograph in minimum to maximum charge weights until getting into the heavier bullets, 158 grainer's. But if you need to start a fire they produce enough flame to ignite water on a rainy day. I like shooting them through my compensated 608 at night, looks like a funny car at full throttle.
 
I use H110 for 125 grain Remington JHP and Hornady 125 XTP bullets at full throttle. Out of my 6 inch Ruger security six, they chrono 1625-1650 FPS.

Shot many thousands of them with no ill effects.
 
I've never cared much for H110 in the .357; other powders are a better fit. H110 is a fine powder in the ,44mag and also in the .41mag.
 
H110 in 357 mag

Accuracy was good. Actual recoil was strong but manageable. Noise was beyond expectations. Several others at the range asked what I was shooting - saying it was very loud. I thought the noise level made the loading really obnoxious.

Regards,

:):)
 
curious what it would shoot like
Click to expand...
H110 in the 357 is not for downloading. These are full-throttle magnum loads. Loud with lots of flash - great for impressing your friends and annoying your neighbors.


how was the accuracy, and recoil?
Click to expand...

Recoil is stout, but significantly less than your typical 44mag hunting cartridge. These cause a lot of percussion, which may wear you down faster than the recoil.


The downside is handling the powder. It is very fine. If any oil is on the inside of the case mouth (say, from belling the case), this powder will stick to it.
Make sure to use magnum primers.
 
The only load I use in my 6" Ruger GP100 is 22 grains of H110/W296 behind a 125gr Hornady HP/XTP with a Remington 5 1/2 primer. Makes ragged one holers. I love it.
 
gamestalker, I know of what you speak! I'd reloaded some 357's, had to work over an hour one evening, went to the range to check the loads out. WHOA!!! The Win. 296 I'd loaded looked like I'd used naplam instead!! My Pop asked me, "What in tarnation did you load in them?" After the first round I couldn't hardly see to shoot anymore :eek: LOL Its good powder no doubt, but for a dead give away at night, best use something not so flashy!:what:
 
Last edited:
ArchAngelCD, have you tested the accuracy of this load, and how was it? Lyman 49th lists a charge of 21gr as the accuracy load for rifle, I have been curious. Currently though I am testing with LilGun in my 1894, don't have any H110 on hand.
Click to expand...
I didn't record accuracy numbers because my testing was being mainly done to check velocity to determine the energy of each load. I was thinking about using a .357 Magnum on Deer and wanted to be sure I built the best load for the job. I tested 125gr, 140gr, 150gr, 170gr and 180gr loads. I don't remember any of them being "poor groups" although I really didn't allow the barrel to cool properly between groups. I stopped the testing when I came across a good used 30-30. SORRY!
 
I have had a theory for 15 years that the reason the 357 mag 125 gr load was the number one in the rankings for one shot stops, was that the perp AND the cop were both stopped dead in their tracks by the noise.
 
Clark, I've wondered what the reaction of the perp would be after experiencing the muzzle flash, and probably being knocked off their feet by the concusion of the muzzle blast. Bet they would be begging you to just call the cops so they won't have to endure another blast like that.
A while back I was chronographing some of them, and at 10 feet or so my defusers went flying every where, and the tripod got blown off it's feet. I thought I had shot the chrono accidentally at first. I also wouldn't shoot from a crouched or kneeling position. The dirt goes flying like projectiles!
 
Let's face it.....

H110 / w296 & 125gr is part of the .357 experience

:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Lower velocity .45 Colt Loads using H110??
Replies
15
Views
2K
Hammerdown77
H
K
  • Locked
XTP vs. JHP data
Replies
3
Views
2K
korny351
K
O
  • Locked
.357 Mag with H110/296 and 180 gr XTP
Replies
8
Views
6K
murf
murf
Master Blaster
  • Locked
Light or midreange .44 mag load with H110
Replies
12
Views
4K
Mal H
Mal H
R
  • Locked
Conflicting data on 357 H110
Replies
15
Views
1K
savanahsdad
savanahsdad
Back
Top