Need input: .357 Huge Fireball wanted

AR_Black · Feb 26, 2013

Just for fun.... I have a Bond Arms Derringer (these are High Quality guns & made in USA).

Looking for a recipie for a mild .357 load with a HUGE FIREBALL.

3-Inch Barrel in the derringer

I already reload "normal" .38 & .357 loads, just want something to play with that makes a big flash.

Thanks in advance & I"ll try and post some pictures after I make some up and shoot them.

Dave from Pa · Feb 26, 2013

Try some H-110.

Vapor Trail · Feb 26, 2013

2400 is always fun at dawn & dusk.

venomballistics · Feb 26, 2013

mild does not a huge fireball make.
here, I think you want a light jacketed or plated bullet over H110
The lube of cast tends to quench some of the fireball so its out.
I'd work with a 110G of some form and gun for glory

rwsmith · Feb 26, 2013

2400 also

Especially in a 3" barrel. I've never really evaluated the flash, I just know if it's there or not. My wife did express surprise when I was loading light bullets with 2400. One thing about 2400 is that it will leave a lot of unburned powder in and around your gun when not loaded to the highest pressures.

Maximumbob54 · Feb 26, 2013

Not sure about fireball but Power Pistol is a lot of flash. Not sure what that would do in a super shorty.

Skip Sackett · Feb 26, 2013

Light bullets, full loads of H110/W296 will get you something like this:

Picture of a picture, that's why there is such a glare.

SMSgt · Feb 26, 2013

^^^
See? I told you guys reloading could be lots of fun instead of drudgery!

TwoPoundPull · Feb 26, 2013

Your bullet with some DGL BP lube, enough Goex FFF black powder to compress about 1/10" under that bullet, a magnum primer, and don't shoot it if your standing on a bed of dry leaves...

tacreload · Feb 26, 2013

You mean like this?Those were some old factory loads head stamped
S&W 125 gr.hollowpoints.Haven't been able to duplicate that same effect with reloads yet.

Rule3 · Feb 26, 2013

Bob, beat me to it. Power Pistol.

H110 is the best but you can not down load it. So be a man and fire that derringer with a full house load.

Be sure and post pictures of your trigger finger after.

4barrel · Feb 26, 2013

Fill it full of powder and put a piece of cork in place of the bullet. . That way ya wont hurt your fanger.

RussellD · Feb 26, 2013

Powerpistol delivers

rburg · Feb 26, 2013

About 30 years ago I was playing with Blue Dot and light bullets. I can't remember the load, but it resulted in real fireballs. We were camping down in the national forest, and one of our guys was having a bowel problem. He'd gone in the bushes enough and wanted to go into London, the nearest town, for some genuine porcelain and TP. He left camp. About an hour later we heard his little Toyota buzzing as it returned the 4 miles or so on the trail. So I got out the M19 (I know, not the gun to use with hot light bullets) and walked over behind a tree. As he passed I touched one off up in the air. It was a fireball to behold. All the guys in camp were falling down laughing. They said it was the biggest fireball they'd ever seen out of a handgun.

ArchAngelCD · Feb 27, 2013

Yes, Blue Dot will do a good job as will W296/H110, 2400, 4227 and all the other slow "magnum" powders. The short barrel will aid in creating the fireball too.

David LaPell · Feb 27, 2013

You could try my load that I use in my Model 27. A 125 grain Hornady XTP with 16.5 grains of 2400. A bit of a flash comes from that gun, I bet out of that Bond Arms you will think someone just took your picture, no matter what end of it you are on.

Nevada Ed · Feb 27, 2013

Something a little easier on the hand and will still turn peoples heads is a load of.....................

Black Powder !!

Orange or White.............
but there is something about the smell of BP in the morning.

howlnmad · Feb 27, 2013

Power Pistol

H Richard · Feb 27, 2013

296 does a good job there. a full load with a light bullet.

AR_Black · Sep 7, 2013

First Test Complete

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Just at dusk, I went to the back ditch for the first test.

Bond Arms 3-Inch .357 Mag Barrel
Grips are the longer wood (Snake Slayer IV grips)

All bullets were older Hornady 110 Grain SJHP.

Load 1: 21.4 grains H110 - Impressive fireball and report.
Load 2: 14.0 grains Blue Dot - Almost as good.
Load 3: 10.0 grains Power Pistol - Smaller flash and smaller report

Firing was done without gloves, one handed. I lined up on the target then looked sideways to see the flash. I'm a recoil junkie, so the recoil was not bad to me.

My wife is getting a digital video camera for her birthday, next time I'll have to video and pull off some still shots.

On a side note: Wife was outside calling for the dog. I didn't hear her calling with my muffs on. I was at least 150 yards away from the house over a rise, shooting into a ditch. She wasn't happy

I did tell her ahead of time I would be conducting a test. Next time I'll either wear my electronic muffs or make sure she isn't home.

Need input: .357 Huge Fireball wanted

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