suggestions for 357 magnum powder

[The-Fly]

Currently I have a can of 2400, and I am loading in a Dillon 550B. The 2400 does not seem to meter well, my charge weights are varying from 16.2 to 16.8 (My goal is 16.5).

any suggestions on a powder for near max loads that meters well?

thanks

 

[ReloaderFred]

For quite a few years I've used Winchester 296 for all my magnum loads in .357, .41 and .44 calibers. It meters something like sugar and I very seldom get more than about .1 grain variation from load to load. You can also use Hodgdon's H-110, which is another fine magnum powder.

A third up and coming powder for magnum loads is Hodgdon's Lil' Gun, which I've been experimenting with in the Marlin Carbine and heavy cast bullets. I'm using a 180 grain gas checked bullet and getting about 30-30 ballistics with it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[distra]

I'm using the same press and 2400. I have not seen that variation. Are you using the large charging bar? You might want to take powder measurer apart and clean the charging bar.

 

[joneb]

Has anyone tried AA#9 ? I've used AA#5 and 7, these powders meter very well for me.
My .357 mag has a 4" barrel, and I load with Blue Dot, this powder does not meter that well for me, I may switch to AA#9.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Metering problems with 2400? Hummm. Well pick one... H110 or W-296.

 

[Walkalong]

Has anyone tried AA#9 ?

AA# 9 works quite well in the .357 & .44 Mag. I have never loaded the .41 Mag, but I see no reason it would not work well there also.

I have used W296 with success in the .44 Mag as well.

 

[GCW5]

I use H110 alot. H4227 also meters well, I use it in my .44 mag.

 

[delta53]

HS-6

I use it in all my loads 38,357,45,45+P meters great fills the brass what else you wana know?

 

[Barr]

I use 2400 and it meters very well for me.

 

[LHB1]

What powder measure are you using? Large or small metering chamber? Powder baffle in powder reservoir? Consistent operating speed and force on powder measure handle? Suggest: small metering chamber, powder baffle, consistent operating motion. Use of large metering chamber, no powder baffle, and inconsistent operating motion can cause substantial weight variances.

For small/med pistol charges (1-20 gr) I use Redding Competition M10X-Pistol powder measure. Never had trouble metering #2400 or any other pistol powder. Other good magnum powders are W296/H110. This is reported to be the same powder marketed by different companies under different names. I use W296 and it works great in my .44 Mag revolvers.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[The-Fly]

I'm using the small charge bar, since I use the same setup (with different powder) for reloading 38spl rounds.

 

[LHB1]

OK, I overlooked "Dillon" in original post. Can't help you with them. I prefer the Hornady LNL so I can use other powder measures as needed. But there are lots of Dillon users on the forum. Good luck.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[Brian Williams]

Lil'Gun

 

[Eagle103]

H110 here too. If that stuff doesn't meter there's something else wrong.

 

[byf43]

The-Fly wrote:

Currently I have a can of 2400, and I am loading in a Dillon 550B. The 2400 does not seem to meter well, my charge weights are varying from 16.2 to 16.8 (My goal is 16.5).

any suggestions on a powder for near max loads that meters well?

The Bushmaster wrote:

Metering problems with 2400? Hummm. Well pick one... H110 or W-296.

I've never had any problems with 2400. Not since 1979. It meters well in both the RCBS Uniflow and the Dillon RL-550B, for me.

As The Bushmaster said. . . H110 or W-296. . . pick one.

The only thing I'll add is follow the recipe (from the book) to the last detail.
H110 and 296 reach max levels QUICKLY!
I've produced some "smokin' hot loads" with both.


For me, 2400 is more 'forgiving'!

Thanks for reading.

 

[Charshooter]

You could give H4427 a try and W296/H110 are the same powder. I like 2400 and have always had good luck with it in 357 and 44 magnum loads. If you use the W296/H110, start with no lower than the low listed in the powder manual. My loads for that powder are near max and shoot well with 265 grain and 300 grain 44 magnum bullets. I have yet to try Lil' Gun

 

[tbtrout]

I use 296 without any problems.

 

[joneb]

I have a Redding mod. 3 powder measure with universal and micro pistol meters, I have a trouble with Unique and other such powders throwing accurately with the pistol meter. The universal meter does not throw well either, I e-mailed Redding to see if they make something in-between, still waiting.
The micro pistol meter will throw 1/4 to 1/2 charges of IMR Trail Boss 1 out of 10 times the rest are right on. I've tried bumping the powder measure with each throw and this helps, but not always.