Most Versatile Powder For .357 Mag
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ArchAngelCD
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Like I've posted many times already, that is exactly my "Powder Trinity" which I use for most of my handgun loading.
W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) & W296(H110).
ArchAngelCD
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I use Unique, 5.8 grains (if I"m not mistaken) for a 158 grain LSWC. 357 magnum.
Have been using regular small pistol primers and Unique for my 357 loads but will eventually try a new powder with magnum primers. Although I'm pleased with the Unique (except the mess it makes), I know there are better powders out there for this particular load.
Have been using regular small pistol primers and Unique for my 357 loads but will eventually try a new powder with magnum primers. Although I'm pleased with the Unique (except the mess it makes), I know there are better powders out there for this particular load.
Hodgdon Universal Clays burn rate is similar to Unique and it burns cleaner (my opinion only) and meters better in my Dillon 550B. I use Universal for low to mid power loads and 2400 for full power loads. I think most use regular primers with 2400, but magnum primers are recommended for H110/W296. If I were limited to 3 powders for handgun loads, they would be H38/W231, Universal, and 2400. That said, I shoot a lot of single action 38 spl and 45 colt and most of those nowdays are loaded with heavy for caliber lead bullets and Trail Boss.
zxcvbob
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I've used Universal, and it is cleaner and easier to measure than Unique, but it doesn't seem to be as accurate and it can't be loaded to quite the same power level as Unique. YMMV.
Godsgunman
Member
So if I wanted to step up to the full house loads, which is easier (more forgiving) to use H110 or 2400?
ljnowell
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2400.
JRH6856
Member
I've had good results with Power Pistol under a 158g LSWC for both light and full power loads.
dap22
Member
If "forgiving" means ease of metering, I've found them both to meter very nicely in my 550's. If you mean the level of bang, then 2400 is the more gentle from my experience.
au_prospector
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I dont understand, why so down on 2400
What do you guys mean by 2400 not being versatile and only good for high power loads.
I guess I need clarification. I loaded 2400 with Winchester SPP using Speer 125 grain JHP and 2400 at 15 grains, 15.5 grains, 16.0 grains, and 16.5 grains. All were acceptable, but my 586 liked the 16.0 grains by far was the tightest group at 1.5 inches @ 60 feet.
I plan to load some .44 Mag with it as well. Why so down on 2400? Is it because its not good for .38 spl like Unique is? Is it because you shouldnt use a magnum primer with it? Is it okay to use SPP magnum primers with Unique for .357?
I dont know, thats why I am asking. I have 4 pounds of 2400 and 8 pounds of Unique. Hopefully, it all gets used.
What do you guys mean by 2400 not being versatile and only good for high power loads.
I guess I need clarification. I loaded 2400 with Winchester SPP using Speer 125 grain JHP and 2400 at 15 grains, 15.5 grains, 16.0 grains, and 16.5 grains. All were acceptable, but my 586 liked the 16.0 grains by far was the tightest group at 1.5 inches @ 60 feet.
I plan to load some .44 Mag with it as well. Why so down on 2400? Is it because its not good for .38 spl like Unique is? Is it because you shouldnt use a magnum primer with it? Is it okay to use SPP magnum primers with Unique for .357?
I dont know, thats why I am asking. I have 4 pounds of 2400 and 8 pounds of Unique. Hopefully, it all gets used.
colonelhogan44
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2400 is an EXCELLENT powder. It's my favorite for non-gas checked cast bullets. I shoot minimum loads of 2400 (13.5 grains) under a 158 cast with great results.
USSR
Member
au_prospector,
Read the OP: "which powder gives you the best range from low recoil to full house loads". Try using a 12.0gr load of 2400 with your 125gr JHP for about a 1,000fps load, and you will see that 2400 is not a good powder for low power, low recoil loads. Personally, I love 2400 for full power loads with heavy bullets, but it is not as versatile as Unique in which you can develop loads over a wide range of power and recoil levels.
Don
au_prospector
Member
Hey Don, 11 grains? Sorry but since the starting load in Lymans 49 is 13 grains, I would not have even considered such a low load. If you want .38 special performance in your .357 mag (nothing wrong with that by the way, great practice) why not just shoot .38 special?
I have loaded 158 grain flatpoints with 7 grains of unique as well as 13 grains of 2400 and compared them every other shell in my .357. The unique loads where more of a WHOMP/THUD sound while the 2400 was more of a CRACK/SNAP sound and recoil. I would load the Unique again, but I prefer the 2400 feel and sound.
I was just questioning why so many seemed to be down on 2400. Since I use both powders I guess the question for me is a matter of personal preference. Thanks though.
I have loaded 158 grain flatpoints with 7 grains of unique as well as 13 grains of 2400 and compared them every other shell in my .357. The unique loads where more of a WHOMP/THUD sound while the 2400 was more of a CRACK/SNAP sound and recoil. I would load the Unique again, but I prefer the 2400 feel and sound.
I was just questioning why so many seemed to be down on 2400. Since I use both powders I guess the question for me is a matter of personal preference. Thanks though.
ljnowell
Member
Thats the point of the thread though, what single powder will load the best for low powered target loads and still make a decent magnum load. Whats the best "compromise" so to speak. It really isnt 2400.
As far as being down on it, I dont see that here. Sure, there are a lot that like other powders, but when it comes to magnum handgun powder, it seems about a 50/50 split around here for 2400vs296/110. Personally I prefer 2400.
zxcvbob
Member
I have a theory that one can load every handgun cartridge to almost its full range with just 2 powders: Bullseye and Power Pistol -- and they have a nice overlap. PP won't quite reach the top end for magnum revolver cartridges, but it'll get pretty close. (not as close as 2400 or AA#9)
I like having lots of different powders to choose from rather than being limited to just 1 or 2 (but 20 different ones in the powder cabinet is probably a bit ridiculous
)
I like having lots of different powders to choose from rather than being limited to just 1 or 2 (but 20 different ones in the powder cabinet is probably a bit ridiculous
)
JRH6856
Member
I think if I had to choose only one powder for all of my handgun loads (.380, .38spl, .357, 9mm, .45ACP) , it would be Bullseye, and if I could add one more, it would be Power Pistol.
41 Mag
Member
Go with 2400 and you will be much happier. While 296 / H110 is a great powder the load range on it is only about a 1 grain or so spread, and is usually best under the medium to heavier weight bullets. With 2400 you get a broader load range and also it can be used with a broader variety of bullet weights as well.
If you can find AA-9 it is also another good powder as well as #7. With either of them you also get a broader load range than with the 296 / H110.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Just to address the full power side of the discussion, yes both W296/H110 and 2400 will do the job quite well. I don't mind using magnum primers and I do use W296 for full power .357 Magnum loads but I have used 2400 and both work well.
As for there being only a 1 gr spread with W296, not true. while most powder can be safely reduced 10% from the max charge Hodgdon recommends only a 3% reduction from the max. Even that is questionable because if you check some of the manuals their starting load is way below the 3% listed in the Hodgdon data. But, since we all agree most loading can be done with 3 powders when you want to lighten up the load more than the 3% with W296 just go to your next faster powder, in my case HS-6.
As for there being only a 1 gr spread with W296, not true. while most powder can be safely reduced 10% from the max charge Hodgdon recommends only a 3% reduction from the max. Even that is questionable because if you check some of the manuals their starting load is way below the 3% listed in the Hodgdon data. But, since we all agree most loading can be done with 3 powders when you want to lighten up the load more than the 3% with W296 just go to your next faster powder, in my case HS-6.
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