What's your favorite powder for full power .357 Mag?

What is your favorite powder for full power .357 Mag?

  • W231

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • H110

    Votes: 33 18.4%
  • 2400

    Votes: 55 30.7%
  • AA #9

    Votes: 11 6.1%
  • W296

    Votes: 27 15.1%
  • Blue Dot

    Votes: 14 7.8%
  • Lil' Gun

    Votes: 20 11.2%
  • other

    Votes: 16 8.9%

  • Total voters
    179
  • Poll closed .
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I know some find it hard to believe H110 and W296 are the same exact powders now but they are. That wasn't always the case though. After Hodgdon assumed distribution of Winchester Powders from Olin (as well as obtaining IMR) things changed. They have been consolidating duplicate powders ever since including discontinuing H4227 in favor of IMR4227. As of right now W231 and HP-38 plus W296 and H110 are the same exact powders produced on the same manufacturing line. You will also notice they don't even bother to put the Winchester powders in the jugs with the handles any longer. All are in the round jugs like those used by Hodgdon so all they need to do is put different labels on the Winchester and Hodgdon powders.

There are quite a few Hodgdon/Winchester/IMR powders that are now exactly the same with only different names. Some are the above 2 set of powders W231/HP-38 and W296/H110 and also W760 and H414 and a few other I can't remember right now.

My favorites vary depending upon which bullets I'm loading. For light jacketed bullets I use W296. For heavy bullets I use Lil'Gun and for downloading and lead I use HS-6. I'm sorry but it's very hard to pick just 1 as my favorite because all 3 do a great job with the bullets I mentioned, for me at least...
 
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Lil'Gun, hands down. High velocity, low pressure and moreover, the muzzle flip and recoil are noticibly reduced. This is with 158 XTP out of my 50th Blackhawk.


+1


my 686 likes it under both XTPs and Gold Dots.
 
I am at the point that i only load 125 grain bullets in 357 so i use two powders "bluedot for the xtp bullets and imr 4756 for my cast bullets . If i had a longer barrel and used 158 grain and up bullets I would use LilGUn ! Kevin
 
Full power stuff-

Cast bullets? 2400.

Jacketed? 296/H110.

Lil' gun is showing promise, but I'm not listing it as a favorite yet. Velocities are good, but my jury is still out on the accuracy.
 
Bluedot powder

I was reading on RCBS web site. That Alliant does not recomend using their bluedot powder in 125gr, bullets. Because of its unsafe pressure.
 
I have used 296 for about 25 years and use the Winchester data of about 16.5 grains for a 158 grain JHP. Speer #10 manual takes it up much hotter.
Of late I have been using IMR 4227 for the Missiouri caste bullet rated for 357 velocities. I am using 15 grains and a SP primer. Byron
 
after what I have been reading lately as per Lil' Guns heat and damage to firearms issues, I have quit using it all together till I hear/read more.
 
357 mag = H110
44 mag = H110
454 Cas = H110
500 Mag = H110
Ruger only 45 LC = H110

I'd like to know if I can buy it by the ton. :evil:
Its been hard to get and I only have 10lbs left. :banghead:
 
630

Yeah, I still have some. It is ideal for 357s and I still use it, only a couple of pounds left of the 16 I bought in 1983... Too bad it went away, as it really shines in the 357 (and M1 carbine, though velocity is slightly less that 296). :scrutiny:
 
I use 2400 for my .357 loads, with both Lyman 358429 and 358430 bullets I cast myself. I don't load jacketed in much of anything.
 
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