357 + H110

[Miracle Man]

Here is my wife shooting an H110 load from a 2.75" barrel. I haven't shot this load from my 4" model 66, but I'm guessing it would be similar.

WOW! Now that's some flame

 

[cowboy4evr]

My std load using W296 (same as H110 ) is 15.5 grs with a 158 gr cast bullet and a magnum primer . That is where I found accuracy and velocity came together , for me . Your results might be different . Regards Paul

 

[stansdds]

Here is my wife shooting an H110 load from a 2.75" barrel. I haven't shot this load from my 4" model 66, but I'm guessing it would be similar.

Yup! It can also make people back away from you on the firing line.

 

[gwpercle]

You don't have a thing to loose .
H110 is one of the best 357 Magnum Load powders in the loading manuals .
Start low , work up slowly and you should get Happy - Happy !

I'm one who believes in using Magnum Primers with H110 , accuracy just seems to be better ... but go by your loading manual data !
Gary

 

[BB57]

As this thread suggests H110/Win 296 is very popular in the .357 Mag and in battle lengths of 4” or longer it does start to show some significant velocity advantages.

At 3” or less however, that velocity advantage will be on the order of 0 to maybe 50 fps, at the cost of about 35% more recoil. That’s because the charge weight is about twice the weight of what you’d have with a flake powder like Unique, and that mass goes out the muzzle at about 3 times the velocity of the bullet.

Unburned/partially burned powder grains are also a big issue and the only times I have had a powder grain get under the ejector start and prevent the cylinder from going back into the crane have been with H110/Win 296.

Colloidal ball powders like H110 are also hard on forcing cones as that large mass of plasma and partially burned powder flows through it. The lighter 125 gr bullets generally have 20-21 gr charges compared to about 16 grs for the 158 gr bullets, so you get proportionately more erosion per shot.

——

In short, I use H110/Win 296 in the .357 Mag, but only for my 20” and 24” short rifle and rifle pattern lever guns. In those long barrels H110/Win 296 gives me velocities around 1825 fps with 158 gr bullets and 2210 fps with 125 gr bullets.

When it comes to a 2 1/2” Model 66, 3” Model 13 or 3” Model 686+, it’s no where near the top of the list.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

2400 and H110/W296 were the first powders I used when I started loading 357 20 years ago. Both are great powders in this application. My only argument here would be availability. I haven't seen 2400 on store shelves in years whereas H110/W296 are consistently available.

As for the Lee FCD, I like them in rifle cases but consider them optional tools for pistol cartridges. Keep in mind, the rifle FCD and pistol FCD are two totally different animals. At least that's true for the FCD that comes bundled in the Lee four die pistol sets. They do make a collet style pistol FCD just like the rifle version for a few pistol cartridges, including 357. I haven't tried this model yet but it seems interesting. You want a good crimp with 110/296, 2400 etc.

 

[Nevada Ed]

For years, in my M19-5 6" revolver, my full load powders were either

Unique or Blue Dot powders, since I did not have any 2400 or W296 type powders, on hand.

Today I have 2400 powder but have yet to pick up any of the slow ball powder
for my full loads, since I am happy with the fps that I am getting.

Some times a 98% load will work, for you.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

2400 and H110/W231 were the first powders I used when I started loading 357 20 years ago. Both are great powders in this application. My only argument here would be availability. I haven't seen 2400 on store shelves in years whereas H110/W296 are consistently available.

As for the Lee FCD, I like them in rifle cases but consider them optional tools for pistol cartridges. Keep in mind, the rifle FCD and pistol FCD are two totally different animals. At least that's true for the FCD that comes bundled in the Lee four die pistol sets. They do make a collet style pistol FCD just like the rifle version for a few pistol cartridges, including 357. I haven't tried this model yet but it seems interesting. You want a good crimp with 110/296, 2400 etc.

I have both styles in 357, 45 & 44 calibers, along with the option to use a Hornady seating die's roll crimp capability. Never really had a problem with bullet setback under recoil with any loadings I can recall. The carbide pistol FCDs do a great job, IMHO.

CHEERS!

P.S. I believe the 45 caliber collet style can even be used with the
45acpp/AutoRim cases...? Can't recall needing that heavy a crimp for my Model of 1955.

 

[shil]

I was wondering what the muzzle blast with it would be out of a 4" model 19. I've used it with great results out of 7.5" Ruger Super Redhawk 44. And fully agree it's not a plinking powder. I might try a few and see if I like it with H110. My guess is I'll just wait until I can find some 2400.

The muzzle blast from a 4" barrel and full-power loads is definitely attention-getting, and fun. I was once scolded at an indoor range because the blast from my 686 was blowing down the target of the guy in the next lane. Flimsy hanger. My son was asked to cease and desist because the blast from his 4" GP100 was frightening the women's instruction session five lanes away. He refused to pay the lane fee and left. I stopped using H110 and its twin, WW296, because of the rarity of the small pistol magnum primers load data requires. I, too, seek 2400. Standard primers work fine.

 

[Troystat]

I have used both H110 and W296 in 357 model 27-2 with a 5" barrel, the loads are accurate but the muzzle flash is a bit much.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Class. Class!

Yes, Sister Mary Elephant?

There will be NO flashes of unburnt powder granules on these Holy premises!

Yes, Sister.

Cheers!

 

[Miracle Man]

I have both styles in 357, 45 & 44 calibers, along with the option to use a Hornady seating die's roll crimp capability. Never really had a problem with bullet setback under recoil with any loadings I can recall. The carbide pistol FCDs do a great job, IMHO.

CHEERS!

P.S. I believe the 45 caliber collet style can even be used with the
45acpp/AutoRim cases...? Can't recall needing that heavy a crimp for my Model of 1955.

I've got the LEE FC collet style dies in 44mag and 45LC and have had nice results with them. Adds an extra step but it's not like I'm loading thousands of them

I just ordered a 357mag FCD collet style, I like them.

 

[Miracle Man]

The muzzle blast from a 4" barrel and full-power loads is definitely attention-getting, and fun. I was once scolded at an indoor range because the blast from my 686 was blowing down the target of the guy in the next lane. Flimsy hanger. My son was asked to cease and desist because the blast from his 4" GP100 was frightening the women's instruction session five lanes away. He refused to pay the lane fee and left. I stopped using H110 and its twin, WW296, because of the rarity of the small pistol magnum primers load data requires. I, too, seek 2400. Standard primers work fine.

I reconfirmed I'm getting old today I went down and inventoried my powder and upon digging back a couple rows, there it was. I got a big smile on my face. 1lb can mostly full of 2400.

I'm back in the saddle again.

I've never had any issues with 2400 and standard primers.

 

[colt_saa]

The muzzle flash and blast with H110 /296 is far greater than with #2400, but some don't find that objectionable.

Objectionable . . . I LIKE IT . . . That Big Orange Fireball and that deep throaty KaaaaaBOOM

I have gone through hundreds of pounds of H110 over the last 4+ Decades. Most of that was burned in the 357 Magnum cartridge with 125 grain Winchester JHPs on top of 21.6 grains of powder.

Here is some chronographed data on my load. While not all done on the same day, the 640, 2.5" 19/66 and 6" Model 27 are averages from 2 or more firearms of that configuration

2.125" Model 640 = 1221 FPS
2.5" Model 66 = 1285 FPS
3.5" Model 27 = 1315 FPS
4" Model 27 = 1391 FPS
6" Model 27 = 1530 FPS
8" Python = 1599 FPS
18" 1892 = 2196 FPS

The bulk of the remainder went down the barrels of my 41 Magnums

I know it's a dirty word in some fancy rifle circles but I've had good results with the "Lee" factory crimp dies with 44 Mag and 45 LC loads. I don't have a 357 die though.

I seat and crimp in separate stations, The Lee FCDs are used exclusively for many cartridges, but not the Standard FCD. For many revolver cartridges lee makes a Rifle FCD. This FCD imparts a collet crimp. This is the same style of crimp employed by the major manufacturers.

These dies can even be used on a projectile that has no cannelure

I Always keep plenty of H110 on hand. I buy the eight pound jugs and buy a backup jug when my primary one gets down to about 4 pounds. I try not to be caught by a shortage

The H110 loads perform exceptionally well in the Desert Eagle semi auto pistols. These firearms require jacketed ammunition and full power loads to be totally reliable.

I have found my 41 Magnum DE exceptionally accurate with H110 and the 5 1/2" LAR Grizzly likes 357 158FMJs being pushed by H110

 

[STORMINORMAN]

My sources say 125gr @ 2200fps is over 1300 ft/lbs at the muzzel...

That's smokin'!

Do you hunt with that?

Cheers!

 

[colt_saa]

My sources say 125gr @ 2200fps is over 1300 ft/lbs at the muzzel...

That's smokin'!

Do you hunt with that?

Cheers!

While I never had any problems hitting the Chickens with that load in the lever gun, it just was too much trouble to find the parts to cook

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have found great favor using Ramshot Enforcer / Accurate 4100 . It's found just a bit slower than 2400 on most burn rate charts . I load almost the max in my 357 magnum loads using my own cast 158 gr swc . It's a great magnum powder and one that I will definitely keep . My Old Model Colt Trooper , " 4 " barrel loves the stuff . Give it a try , I don't believe you will be disappointed . Regards Paul

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I have found great favor using Ramshot Enforcer / Accurate 4100 . It's found just a bit slower than 2400 on most burn rate charts . I load almost the max in my 357 magnum loads using my own cast 158 gr swc . It's a great magnum powder and one that I will definitely keep . My Old Model Colt Trooper , " 4 " barrel loves the stuff . Give it a try , I don't believe you will be disappointed . Regards Paul

I was turned on to Enforcer and 4227 by this forum. They seem to give higher velocities than H110/W296.

 

[Troystat]

For me the solution will be to buy a Winchester model 92 in 357 to shoot my W296 reloads.

 

[38SPL HV]

I first used H110 over 40 yrs ago in 44 Mag…an all or nothing powder…with too much flash. I much prefer 2400 for my magnum loads, but they represent a very small portion of my rounds sent down range…

I much prefer a 158 gr cast bullet in 357 Magnum at 1150 fps + in my 4 5/8 inch Ruger using N340 or Accurate #5…controllable with adequate power…a 38-44 in 357 Mag cases. Your revolver, hands and ears will thank you as well.