H110/Win296: .357Magnum & .44Magnum Load Development Increments

[roo_ster]

Howdy:

Due to the current craziness, I have not been able to find my favorite magnum powder, 2400. So I picked up some H110 and am planning some load development. I plan on shooting 240gr LSWC Hitek coated out of the .44 and 158gr LSWC Hitek coated out of the .357. The starting loads, when they appear, are not too far off the max loads.

.44Magnum 240gr LSWC

Source  Min   Max
Lyman   22.5  23.5
Lee     none  25.0

I was wondering how those of y'all with H110 experience did your load development. Lyman has only one grain of difference for the 240gr LSWC load. I feel kind of foolish moving up a piddly 0.2 or 0.3 grains (while using a scale good for +/- 0.1 grain). And then there is the Lee source that just states the one load and no starting load. I am used to taking larger leaps from starting to max load, finding the load that did best or the two that did best and then doing another round of development to zero in on the best.

Thank you all for your time.

 

[drband]

Don’t reduce H110 more than 5% off the max load. It’s not safe to do so. The Lyman data is basically a 5% reduction for the start load.

I load the Lyman max load with Hitek coated 240gr LSWC from MBC. It’s a great full power magnum load. No leading in my SBH. I would be wary of the Lee load… that’s just me.

 

[Blue68f100]

Originally when the W298/H110 was released there was a note " DO NOT REDUCE", doing so will increase pressure. Then a couple of years later they revised the recommendation so you could reduce by 3% max. Since then I think the ones who did the testing moved on and people not knowing the history started treating it like any other powder. This is one powder you want to run on the top end.

So yes it has a narrow band but it forks good for full house Mag loads.

 

[bigpower491]

I was wondering how those of y'all with H110 experience did your load development. Lyman has only one grain of difference for the 240gr LSWC load. I feel kind of foolish moving up a piddly 0.2 or 0.3 grains .

That's just the nature of the beast.. I use it for 44 Mag and 454 Casull, and it can be quite a handful in the latter due to that fact. The Hornady manual I have actually reduces it quite a bit in both cartridges. I'd not reduce it more then 5%, tho. It don't like it.

 

[milsurpguy]

I have used H110 to load 44mag forever.
Ideally you load it compressed in 44mag. Stay at or near the max load. If you have a super Redhawk don't be afraid to go over the max a little.

I hope you have a longer barrel 44mag at lest 6 inches or be prepared for the ultimate fireworks show. I only have 3 inch 357mag so I don't even bother loading stuff like H110 in 357.

 

[JDeere]

I have used nothing but 110 in my .44 SBH and Henry 240gr loads with good results using both coated and jacketed bullets. I use Hodgdon"s starting load and they both seem happy. I like having the same load for both rifle and pistol. ymmv

 

[mcb]

I quit using H110 in revolvers. Too much muzzle blast and flash. I got the same velocity from a faster burning powder and eliminated the flash, and reduced blast and recoil too. I save the H110 for my 410 shotguns and 450 Bushmaster where I got enough barrel to burn it. If I was loading 44 Mag exclusively for a carbine I would definitely come back to H110 but for a revolver IMHO H110 is too slow unless your trying to push the velocity right to the max limit. YMMV

 

[roo_ster]

Thanks a bunch for the replies. I wanted a third & fourth opinion on what I was seeing in the manuals. I believe my course of action will be to use the Lyman data, load 22.5, 23.0, and 23.5 grains and compare them. Do another cycle of development if 23.5gr is not the most accurate (assuming no excessive pressure signs with 23.5gr). If 23.5gr is the most accurate, call it good enough.

I will shoot the .44mag 240gr LSWC Hitek out of a SW629-1 4" bbl and a Rossi Win92 clone 20" bbl. More concerned with accuracy from the SW629, as I will eventually get some RNFP Hitek coated 240gr pills for the Rossi. The Rossi will feed LSWC, but not as smoothly as RNFP with a similar-sized meplat.

I will shoot the .357mag out of a SW686 4" bbl, no accompanying carbine.

And yes, I want magnum velocities for these loads. I was satisfied with 2400 performance, but I can't get that. I use other powders for moderate & mild loads (Trail Boss, Win231, HS-6). I shoot probably 10 mild or moderate rounds for every hot magnum round.

 

[Charlie98]

And yes, I want magnum velocities for these loads.

...and you'll get it with H110, even more so than 2400. Make sure you use a Magnum primer.

 

[Bazoo]

I find data for a bullet of close weight and nearly identical length from crimp groove to base. You don't want to have the same weight of bullet but a different used case volume.

I'm currently running 296 in a gp100, 357 magnum with an rcbs 38-150-SWC. With magnum primer. It's a full pressure load but still manageable and fun.

 

[alfsauve]

At one time the manuals all had a warning that Magnum primers were required. I've always adhered to that in .357Mag, .357Max and .44Mag. It's a lot of powder to ignite.

H110 is ideal to obtain some of the highest velocities without going over pressure in 8" and 10" barrels. I don't think it should be used for any thing less.

 

[.38 Special]

Just for what it is worth, decades ago Ross Seyfried wrote of 23 grains with a 250 grain LSWC being his best .44 Magnum load, with "more velocity and less pressure" than the famous old Keith 2400 load.

I personally don't like working with H110 as the tiny little grains bind in my measures, but I did settle on the 23 grain load as being the most consistent. "Load development" for me now is six rounds of 22.5. If the 22.5 gives pressure signs I quit (it's never actually happened) and if it doesn't, then 23 it is. And if 23 isn't hot enough, then I switch to a bigger cartridge!

 

[murf]

and a heavy crimp!

luck,

murf

 

[black mamba]

H110 / W296 come into their own with heavy bullets, say 270 gr and up. With anything lighter, especially in shorter than 7½" barrels, then 2400, Accurate #7 and #9, and HS6 give plenty of velocity with much less flash and recoil. Remember, Elmer's original idea was for a 44 Special that would shoot a 250 gr bullet at 1200 fps, powerul enough for anything you need do with a handgun. This is easily accomplished with the powders I've listed, and at less than max pressures.

 

[Bfh_auto]

This is the only powder I go straight to the max in. (357 and 44).
I use a mag pistol or shall rifle in 357.
I also border on too much crimp.