I am going to buy a model 586 357mag 8 3/8 bbl today. I have been using 2400 powder for my 357's. Should I look at a different powder to get top performance from this long bbl revolver. This is my first 8 in bbl revolver any powder or load suggestions will be helpful.
357 mag loads for a 8in bbl?
- Thread starter jhde69
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snowman
Member
I agree wholeheartedly with OKFC05; H110/W296 is the gold standard for high velocity magnum handgun loads in long-barreled revolvers. I use it in my 44s and am REALLY impressed with accuracy and consistency. Hodgdon tells loaders to load the stuff not more than 3% below maximum charge -be sure and follow this. Also it's best to use a magnum primer, especially if you shoot in colder weather.
This powder also will meter more consistently than any you'll run across. Great stuff.
Best wishes,
Andy
This powder also will meter more consistently than any you'll run across. Great stuff.
Best wishes,
Andy
ballistic
Member
2400 powder is good to go.
No reason to go powder shopping.
Have fun.
No reason to go powder shopping.
Have fun.
Alk8944
US Veteran
jhde69,
Stick with 2400. The only difference I have been able to see with H-110/296 is more severe blast, more muzzle flash, and more tendency to frame erosion than when using 2400. If there has been any velocity benefit my Oehler 35P hasn't been able to see it!
And, don't forget un/partially burned powder grains being ejected from the barrel-cylinder gap. A shot bag I had been using for many years as a sand bag rest was shredded by just a few rounds with H-110/296! I had shot hundreds of rounds off of it with 2400 and other loads in .357 Magnum and all they did is blacken it from powder fouling! Even a latigo leather sleeve I later covered the bag with has been badly damaged.
I have completely stopped using H-110/296. Broke down about 200 rounds of .45 LC instead of shooting them, and gave about 3# I had left to a friend who shoots it in his M-1 Carbines. Please note, I gave away about $60 worth of powder instead of using it!!! I can guarantee I would not have done this without a very good reason.
Stick with 2400. The only difference I have been able to see with H-110/296 is more severe blast, more muzzle flash, and more tendency to frame erosion than when using 2400. If there has been any velocity benefit my Oehler 35P hasn't been able to see it!
And, don't forget un/partially burned powder grains being ejected from the barrel-cylinder gap. A shot bag I had been using for many years as a sand bag rest was shredded by just a few rounds with H-110/296! I had shot hundreds of rounds off of it with 2400 and other loads in .357 Magnum and all they did is blacken it from powder fouling! Even a latigo leather sleeve I later covered the bag with has been badly damaged.
I have completely stopped using H-110/296. Broke down about 200 rounds of .45 LC instead of shooting them, and gave about 3# I had left to a friend who shoots it in his M-1 Carbines. Please note, I gave away about $60 worth of powder instead of using it!!! I can guarantee I would not have done this without a very good reason.
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Steve C
Member
Have to agree with jhde69 on this. While I still shoot H110 and W296 in my .357 rifle I've got better velocities in handgun for both the .357 mag and .41 mag with 2400 and use a couple fewer grains of powder doing it.
I think a lot of shooters feel like they are getting better velocities from H110 but over the chrono I don't see it. I think the greater blast and flash impart that feeling.
I think a lot of shooters feel like they are getting better velocities from H110 but over the chrono I don't see it. I think the greater blast and flash impart that feeling.
Steve C
Member
I usually use Winchester LPP in the .41 mag and they are rated for both standard and magnum loads. I figure they're really a mag primer, perhaps a "mag light". For the .357 mag I use standard primers.
snowman
Member
Sir,
I'm sorry that these things happened to you. All I can say I guess is that my experience has been decidedly different. The rest(s) I've used with my 629 DX haven't even been scorched by my use of H110, and flame cutting, while present, hasn't been excessive. Blast doesn't seem extreme, and I notice no flash at all; maybe if I fired in lower light conditions it might be noticeable, but I don't use H110 in my defensive guns. And I've never seen any signs of unburned powder. I should mention that I use the powder exclusively in my 8-3/8" barreled guns; I can see that it would have no advantage in shorter barrels.
But I'm willing to be educated here. In my .44, 26.5gr. of H110 with 210gr. JHPs produces an average velocity of around 1690fps. Has anyone else chronographed a similar load; and if so, what were your results? What did a similar load chronograph using 2400?
Andy
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parabarbarian
Member
I use 2400 and Winchester SP primers for hot 357 magnum loads. Mostly these are shot from a Marlin 1894 w/18" bbl and I haven't seen any reason to complain about the performance. I lose about 15% in velocity when shooting from my 6" 686.
Lately I've been experimenting with 300MP but, so far, my chrono data only covers the lower half of the load range. It looks promising. I use SP primers with it as well.
Lately I've been experimenting with 300MP but, so far, my chrono data only covers the lower half of the load range. It looks promising. I use SP primers with it as well.
nody
Member
I'm shooting 15.0 grs 2400, WW STD primer, and a commercial cast 158 gr SWC (no gas check), in my 6" 586-0. No leading. This load is listed and used by many shooters.
While the Speer manual 14 doesn't go quite this high a charge, it lists all 2400 loads with STD primers. Conversely all H110/WW296 loads are with Mag primers. The latter are spherical powders, and while 2400 kind of looks that way, it isn't. Ball powders are hard to ignite.
Down at 12-13.5 grs I did get leading, which seems to comfirm the status quo over at Castboolits.com that a slower powder at a higher velocity is your friend. Similar velocities with say Unique would be a different story, as the faster powder would "melt" the base of the bullet and or has some blow by and melt the sides, leading to leading, no pun intended.
Also, 2400 is signifcantly less expensive than H110/WW296. For example, Powder Valley, who has the best prices on powder, is $109.50 for 8 lbs of 2400, vs. 129.50 for 8 lbs of H110.
Powder Valley, Inc.
This load will only be even more happy with another 2" of bbl.
While the Speer manual 14 doesn't go quite this high a charge, it lists all 2400 loads with STD primers. Conversely all H110/WW296 loads are with Mag primers. The latter are spherical powders, and while 2400 kind of looks that way, it isn't. Ball powders are hard to ignite.
Down at 12-13.5 grs I did get leading, which seems to comfirm the status quo over at Castboolits.com that a slower powder at a higher velocity is your friend. Similar velocities with say Unique would be a different story, as the faster powder would "melt" the base of the bullet and or has some blow by and melt the sides, leading to leading, no pun intended.
Also, 2400 is signifcantly less expensive than H110/WW296. For example, Powder Valley, who has the best prices on powder, is $109.50 for 8 lbs of 2400, vs. 129.50 for 8 lbs of H110.
Powder Valley, Inc.
This load will only be even more happy with another 2" of bbl.
Mule88
Member
I agree with Snowman, ive been reloading almost 40 yrs and while I like 2400, I quit using it and went to H110 for all my magnum loads. It burns cleaner and doesnt leave the unburned particals I experience with 2400. I also havent seen any significant muzzle blast using H110 over 2400. If you already have 2400 on hand,by all means use it, it is a good powder. I just prefer H110 aft
er using both over the years.
er using both over the years.
Damn Yankee
Member
Try some shotgun powder like 800X or Bluedot.
VAdoublegunner
Member
I have an 8 3/8" Model 27. 2400 works, Blue Dot works, WW296 works.
It really seems to like the Rem 140s and those pair well with a nice 2400.
For heavier bullets, nothing has that robust character and clean bark to match them quite like a good WW296.
Blue Dot is for everyday, but is best served at room temperature.
It really seems to like the Rem 140s and those pair well with a nice 2400.
For heavier bullets, nothing has that robust character and clean bark to match them quite like a good WW296.
Blue Dot is for everyday, but is best served at room temperature.
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Peter M. Eick
Member
While I shoot 2400 for my hot 357 mags, I would offer this thought.
Pour some H110 and some 2400 on the bench and look at it. Now think about say 30,000 psi pushing those particles that are burning at around 4000F past the cylinder gap and hitting the back end of the barrel and the top strap.
Which one do you think will cause more damage?
The fine little particles like H110 or the big coarse 2400 kernels?
Because I shoot 357 Maximum's, I am very cautious about shooting ball powders in high pressure rounds as that is the "general consensus" caused the top strap cutting of the Ruger SRM in 357 Maximum and lead to a lot of flame cut 357 Magnums over the years.
Pour some H110 and some 2400 on the bench and look at it. Now think about say 30,000 psi pushing those particles that are burning at around 4000F past the cylinder gap and hitting the back end of the barrel and the top strap.
Which one do you think will cause more damage?
The fine little particles like H110 or the big coarse 2400 kernels?
Because I shoot 357 Maximum's, I am very cautious about shooting ball powders in high pressure rounds as that is the "general consensus" caused the top strap cutting of the Ruger SRM in 357 Maximum and lead to a lot of flame cut 357 Magnums over the years.
My 27-2 5 inch barrel shoots well with heavy loads using W296. I tend to shoot little powder puff 38 special wadcutter loads most of the time though. The noise and muzzle blast of the W296 loads are bit much at the range, the people standing next to me don't like them either. Of course H110 has less muzzle blast (just kidding).
I think that 296/H110 really begins to significantly out do 2400 when you get into the heavy for caliber bullets, such as the 300gr. bullets in the .44's and the 180's in the .357. You just get a better burn with less muzzle flash with the heavies. If I'm shooting standard for caliber bullets i.e. 240's in .44 and 158's in .357 then I prefer 2400.
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