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...
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.
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.
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
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
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).
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