Safest long term powder for 357

[gehlsurf]

Wow, well 2400 and Unique is engraved in my brain now, lol. Good to hear that longshot is good, too. Low flash is good, because this gun is my side arm when I go night hunting, and flash can turn off NV in a heart beat (first think I thought when I saw the Lil Gun flash, its humungous!!).

Thank you again guys, as I have all these powders, but not sure what to use primarily and what to use as backups. Most of these I got for 410 and when powder was low. I just bought 5 lbs of Trail Boss, needed a little for 308 subs, but also because it's hard to come by. 300 blk out guys gobble it up. I'm like that, see powder that's useable in many applications, buy it!! Lol

 

[thomasinaz]

Another Unique and 2400 guy here, with about 30 years using them in the 357. With 6 Gr Unique and 13.5 Gr 2400 under a 158 Gr LSWC, you pretty much have everything covered that a 357 Magnum will do. The Unique load is at around 1000 FPS and the 2400 is at about 1200. They changed 2400 a few years ago and 13 grains will probably give the same velocity as 13.5 used to. I haven't chronographed any 357s with the "new" 2400 yet, but it does produce higher velocities in other calibers. I shot a lot of the big Upstate NY tree squirrels with the Unique load, back in the 80s, with my 6" Security Six.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I am glad to hear that you have 5 lbs of Trail Boss.

It will work with the little 148gr wc target bullet but in my snub and 6" revolvers.....
it does well with both the RN and WC design bullets from minimum loads to almost compressed loads in 38 and 357 cases.

A great load for the while family, while making the 357 into a 38 Special !!

 

[fredj338]

Of course, 2 powders I don't have!! Lol. Unique and 2400 does seem to be the go-to for many reloaders. I never go full max load anyhow. Not sure why, guess because I don't see a point, lol.

Have you guys been reloading these for a while? Seems I just read that titegroup has some issues, too with burning hot. I mainly want a powder where a few thousand rounds later, I'm not saying, "damn, should be listened to those guys. Now I need a new barrel!"

Since my 1st 357mag some 42 years ago. I did go to H110/W296 for max loads but realized with a 44mag, I don't need max loads to do anything including hunt big game.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Never needed anything but 2400 in .357 Magnum .

 

[cowboy4evr]

Well here we go again , those claiming 2400 was changed some time ago . I personally called the powder co. , talked to one of the exec's and asked that very question , " has 2400 been changed ? " .
His response was , " not to our knowledge " . Went on to explain that if it had been changed, it could no longer be called " 2400 " . It would of had to be called , " 2300 or 2500 " but not 2400 anymore . He also explained that the powder industry is pretty tightly controlled .
So believe what you want , I take the powder co's word , first and foremost . I don't care what some writer says . Regards, Paul

 

[hammer 1]

Several years ago, I wanted to simplify my powder stock, for both handgun, and rifle. For what I have, the handgun powders were easy, 2400, and power pistol are my two. The rifle powder, well, I'm still working on that. Trimming the herd, will have to happen first, and I'm not sure I want too

 

[Fishslayer]

Of course, 2 powders I don't have!! Lol. Unique and 2400 does seem to be the go-to for many reloaders. I never go full max load anyhow. Not sure why, guess because I don't see a point, lol.

Well, 2400 is my full house .357 powder, but I've been using BE86 for lower pressure target loads in .44 and .454. Burns really clean at lower pressures and meters fine in my Auto Disc. Burn rate is right about at Unique's.

 

[gehlsurf]

Well, I'm hear to report back.... still haven't gotten any 2400 or Unique, but IMR 4227 and H-110 has been floated, so tried those, since they were on hand. These were 160 grn cast RN Powder Coated bullets. Used 15.5 grn powder (on both powders, from my reloading this was about middle of road). Both ran well! While I don't have a chronograph, by the reload books should've been about the same FPS, 1,250 to 1,300 range (good enough for me). The H110 seems to have a heavier kick back and MUCH larger flame!! IMR 4227 was more tame feeling and no noticeable flame.

Still gonna get some 2400 or Unique for sure. But was happy about the IMR 4227, as my TRR8 is sometimes my back up hunting gun. I go hunting at night as well with it (obvious reasons, IR light/laser), and nothing sucks more than you NV killed by flame and having to turn off/on you PVS14 after a shot!!! Also, good for home defense as it wont blind you, God forbid you have to use it.

Thought I'd share my experience for folks who haven't tried IMR 4227 yet. Seems like a good one! But 2400 and Unique are next on the shelves, as sometimes you can't just have one powder choice, or even 2....

Again guys. Thanks for all the advice!!

 

[hdwhit]

gehlsurf wrote:
What I have in stock now is Red Dot, trail boss, H110, Blue Dot, 410, Longshot, IMR 4227,...

Of those, I would first explore IMR-4227. I have loaded it a lot (at one time I also had an M1 Carbine so it would work in both) and was very satisfied.

 

[cowboy4evr]

In magnum powders , IMR 4227 gets more use on my bench than any of the others . It's single based , the others are double based hence the reason for more recoil . It gives up a little in velocity but has excellent accuracy , esp with heavier bullets . Some have claimed accuracy fell off after numerous rounds . That has never been my experience . I personally believe they were blaming the powder for their own personal failures . Regards, Paul

 

[CH4]

Another vote for unique, it's my go to powder for 90% of my needs. I really like Tailboss for light loads.

 

[BigMuddy]

My good friend Ron Power once told me he asked J.B. Hodgdon what magnum powder was "easiest" on forcing cones. The answer was 4227. He said any ball powder had a sand blast affect on the cone and top strap.

For what it's worth.....

Dan

 

[Qc Pistolero]

While I favor H110 for the magnum trio,I can't find a single negative point about 2400.Yes,I think it is a little snappier than my favorite and gives up a few fps but one can do a lot worse than 2400.For my part,the few pounds I can find in my neck of the woods(altough supply has improved a lot these last 2 years)I save for my cast bullets rifle loads.
Since you said you don't need full power loads in your .357,I think Unique is your best bet.
IMR 4227,while an excellent one is,in my opinion too slow burning for such a small combustion chamber.The nice side of it is that it will fill the case and not create overly dangerous pressure and,as an aside,is extremely accurate in any handgun I've tried it in.

 

[rwsmith]

Maybe THEIR.....

In magnum powders , IMR 4227 gets more use on my bench than any of the others . It's single based , the others are double based hence the reason for more recoil . It gives up a little in velocity but has excellent accuracy , esp with heavier bullets . Some have claimed accuracy fell off after numerous rounds . That has never been my experience . I personally believe they were blaming the powder for their own personal failures . Regards, Paul

Maybe it was THEIR accuracy that fell off after numerous rounds. I know mine would after getting hammered by more than a few stiff .357 rounds.

 

[rwsmith]

I've only seen one pound......

I've only seen one pound of BE 86 in a store in Charlotte, NC, which is a few hours from me.

I know that I can get a light to pretty warm load with Unique. That's one versatile powder.

 

[TomkinsSP]

If by "Long Term Powder" you mean "powder that will remain stable for the longest period of time when properly stored, either loaded in cartridges or not" the 2400, Unique, Bullseye trifecta is unbeatable.

From .32 S&W through .38 S&W, .38 Special, nine, .357, .40, .44, .45 and 7.62x39, .30-30 those three are all you really NEED for target through full power magnum.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My suggestion is to find other powders that will work instead of relying on the " old trinity " -- Bullseye , Unique , 2400 . I have been through several component shortages and those 3 are always the ones that disappear first and are gone , out of sight the longest . Regards, Paul

 

[Moe Mentum]

Since you already have Red Dot, try it. I've used 5.5gr of Red Dot under 158gr bullet(xtreme plated) with great results.