I did some searching here and am aware of the problems in K frames with high velocity rounds. I have a 586 though and I want to load some 110 grain bullets with Win 296. I plan on loading in the middle of the grains required. It lists a velocity of 1650fps. Is this type of round going to cause damage to my 586?

I did some searching here and am aware of the problems in K frames with high velocity rounds. I have a 586 though and I want to load some 110 grain bullets with Win 296. I plan on loading in the middle of the grains required. It lists a velocity of 1650fps. Is this type of round going to cause damage to my 586?

DO NOT download W296 to less than 90% of case capacity, it's not safe. (H110 is the same exact powder now) Also, if you are shooting a K frame why would you load a 110gr bullet knowing it will damage the forcing cone? The M586 is an L frame revolver so if you are using that revolver it won't be as bad as shooting a K frame. Personally, I would use a 125gr bullet in that M586.

All that said, it you still want to load a 110gr .357 Magnum use a powder with a slightly faster burn rate than W296. HS-6, Longshot or Power Pistol to mention a few. Even 2400 will work better than W296 when downloaded. I like HS-6 best for middle pressure .357 Magnum rounds.

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SWCA #3437

Arch AngelCD, Thanks for the response. I have a mint 19-3 that I have only put 38s through. I only plan on using the hot magnums through the 586. I have just started reloading and was given several items, including a pound of 296 and several hundred 110 grain bullets.

I use W296 and 125 gr JHP bullets and get very good results.I don't have a loading manual in front of me at the moment but you should follow the manual with the 110s.

Since you are new to reloading,you do have at least one good manual,I hope.

Archangel is right...don't download W296 or H110 much.Hodgdon recommends no more than 03%.W296/H110 need pressure and resistance to burn properly(tight bullet-case fit,fairly heavy crimp,magnum primer and preferably heavy bullet).

W296/H110 is about as good as it gets with full or NEAR full power loads but if you want a bit less power,pick another powder.

I have a older Hornady manual and it suggests 22.4 grains of 296.

What components are you using?Primer as well as the exact bullet.Some 110 grain bullets will be a bit different than another.Different bearing surface,seating depth,etc.

I have a lot of manuals...will be glad to help.

The bullet is a Sierra 110 grain JHP .357 dia. I am using Federal Gold Medal Match small magnum pistol primers. I found 2000 at Sportsman Warehouse a few weeks ago at 30.00 a box of 1000! They had found them in the back a few minutes earlier! I am using virgin Starline brass. I am reloading by a friend's house who has reloaded for years. Besides the components, I am using his equipment under his watchful eye. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge here and wonder if this load is too much for my gun?

The Sierra 50th anniversary edition shows the following for that bullet.

Starting load...21.0 gr of W296.....1450fps

Max..........22.4 gr of W296......1550fps

If you search a lot of data,you will find a great variance with some manuals being very conservative (mild).

I'd start with the 21 gr load and watch for pressure signs as you increase.

While H110 and W296 along with 2400 and AA#9 are good powders for bullets heavier than 140gr in the .357 mag they loose a lot of their appeal with lighter bullets. The rather large amount of powder used produces lots of muzzle flash and quickly flame cuts the frame.

I prefer to load 110gr JHP's in the .357 mag and .38 spl using Unique or HS6.

I think you'll also find that with the 110gr bullet that your accuracy deteriorates as velocity goes up. This could be caused by the smaller bearing surface of the little bullet or maybe its short length does not allow good stabilization. This could be the reason both the Winchester and Remington factory 110gr ammo is below 1,300 fps out the muzzle while the 125gr's run at 1,450 fps.

Steve,

It's quite possible that your theory may be right however the 110 gr bullet is made by most of the pistol bullet makers with data for max velocities with the 357 mag.(and has for a very long time).Evidently,they don't think it's a bad idea.

I don't speak from experience because the 125 gr is the lightest I've used.

vojac45,
Use those 110gr bullets in your .38 Special rounds and go out and buy yourself some 140gr-158gr bullets for your .357 Magnum rounds and that W296. You will like the results much better, I'm sure.

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SWCA #3437

be sure to use a heavy crimp or your rounds may fall 10 feet in front of you with only a part of the powder burnt.

Not trying to pick an argument with anyone but I'm not quite sure what to make of the condemnation of bullets lighter than 140 grains in the 357 magnum with slow burning powders.

Everyone has their preference which is normal but some of what I see here seems to flatly state it's a bad idea.

I've had excellent results with the 125 gr jhp bullet and W296 powder.One could say that my experience is just a fluke however in a conversation with Mike at Hodgdon powder Co.,he stated that they had great results with the 125 gr 357 using H110 powder.Was their load development a fluke also?Come to think of it,I recall John Wooters claiming that his favorite handgun handload of all was the 357 mag with 125gr JSP backed by a heavy charge of 2400.Another bad idea?

used 296 with 125gr bullets for years with good results. be advised though it is noisy and flashy. use magnum primer also. follow loading manuals directions. if you can find winchester booklet they have good info in them for 296 also.

I've never used light bullets in the .357 Magnum, but I've read that pushing very light bullets (110gr) at hyper velocities can cause flame cutting of the top strap and accelerated erosion of the forcing cone. Truth or urban legend, I can't say.

RidgwayCo,

There is truth to it but it's exaggerated.It's sort of like saying you shouldn't drive your car because it will wear the tires out.

It's human nature for one to attempt to justify their personal preferences with logistics but some take it a bit too far.

To use a parallel....I prefer bullet weights of around 240-250 grains in the 44 magnum and see no reason to change.However there are many with credible and extensive experience who prefer 180 grains or so for most of their use.Are they wrong?....I'm sure you see where I'm going with this.

Whether your gun groups well with this or that better is something best determined at the range.Each gun is different.

The hot loads with lighter than standard weight jacketed bullets do indeed increase the wear you mention but most of us shoot the really hot loads sparingly anyway and so the point seems rather moot.

I believe that you should always "consider the source" when you hear or read anything.Most of those who condemn the light bullet/high velocity 357 magnum are those who prefer the heavier bullets...it's as simple as that.

The 110 grain 357 bullets have been selling like hot cakes for years.Evidently someone likes them.