357 mag with H-110 and 158gr semi JHP. (Update post #41)

[bertn]

Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

For now I reloaded ten rounds each of 15.4 ,15.6 and 15.8 grains and see how that goes.
Hopefully I can get to the range next weekend.

The 15.8 gr was filling up the cases pretty much to where the base of the bullet was going to end up.

My first round (with 15.4 gr) I seated it a little bit to deep, just past the cannelure. Tried pulling it out a bit in the inertia hammer puller but could not get it to move at all, so I guess it has enough crimp. Would it still be ok to fire it or should I toss it?

So here is my 686 with my first .357Mag reloads

 

[Longwalker]

I found the Campro's can behave just like a 22lr bullet as they slow down through the sound barrier. Starting load of 15.0 grains of H110, freehand, I was nailing the gong @ 50 yds. no problem, nice easy shot, good groups, low recoil/barrel lift. It was fun but it was all I could do to keep same load on the gong @ 100 yds shooting from the bench? I punched the numbers into a ballistic calculator and found my estimated velocity would be slowing through the sound barrier around 90 or so yards. I have since worked my loads up to 16.3 grains of H110 and now actually hit the gong @ 100 yds free hand on a regular basis .

thanks for this! I never thought about bullets dropping below the sound barrier, it explains my erratic longer range results as well. I was planning on using up my 1400 fps loads in my rossi carbine for close range shooting, now I realize there is hope for a 100 yd load by just working up to higher velocity.

 

[BillD]

I've used H110 with Hodgon's max load data (usual precautions of course with working up to that point) for both 125gn and 158gn plated bullets with great results through my GP100 - decent accuracy with lots of boom and fireballs!

 

[bertn]

I've used H110 with Hodgon's max load data (usual precautions of course with working up to that point) for both 125gn and 158gn plated bullets with great results through my GP100 - decent accuracy with lots of boom and fireballs!

Cool pics!

 

[Ganderite]

H110 is good for max loads. It does not down load very well.

A more flexible powder if you want something less powerful is 2400.

 

[B]

A more flexible powder if you want something less powerful is 2400.

Maybe I am misunderstanding you but 2400 gives as good or slightly better velocity than H-110. At least according to my research and testing over a chrony. It is much better for reduced loads and doesn't require a heavy crimp or magnum primer though.

 

[bertn]

H110 is good for max loads. It does not down load very well.

A more flexible powder if you want something less powerful is 2400.

I get that it might not be the best powder for this but sitting on a giant canister of H110 gives me not much choice

And if I want downloaded rounds I'll probably load up some 38spl and shoot it out of my 14-3.

Would you say 15.4 to 15.8 gr is downloaded? There is only about one grain difference between start and max load.

 

[B]

Going off my own chronograph results I would have started at 16 grains. I was getting pretty large velocity spreads under 16, which is usually an indication of inconsistent ignition.

 

[Ganderite]

I get that it might not be the best powder for this but sitting on a giant canister of H110 gives me not much choice

And if I want downloaded rounds I'll probably load up some 38spl and shoot it out of my 14-3.

Would you say 15.4 to 15.8 gr is downloaded? There is only about one grain difference between start and max load.

Your chronograph will tell you if it is too mild. A big ES means too mild.

Full house loads in a 357 are still fun to shoot. Not so much in a 44.

 

[bertn]

Your chronograph will tell you if it is too mild. A big ES means too mild.

Full house loads in a 357 are still fun to shoot. Not so much in a 44.

Thanks, then I'll probably load up another 10 with 16 gr.
I do have a chronograph (caldwell) but unfortunately it's not working at the range I shoot due to poor light.
Going to make IR led shades for it to solve this issue but this project has not yet made it to the top of the priority list.

 

[bigedp51]

Below from the Winchester 1981 reloading manual, please notice the Winchester warning in the last image.

This should give you a good baseline for the other data in the reloading manuals listed above.

Below chamber pressure listed in CUP, the max pressures .357 magnum are 35,000 psi or 45,000 cup.
Also note the last load listed below of 16.6 grains of 296 at 39,500 cup is 5,500 cup below listed max pressure.

NOTE, in the late 1970s and early 1980s there were detonation problems with some of the slowest Winchester ball powders. My favourite Winchester 785 powder at this time was discontinued and had the same "do not reduce" the listed loads and had detonation problems with reduced loads. Also note there is only one load listed for 296 and to not reduce the listed load.

 

[legi0n]

I hear you but heavy crimps lower the case life so I'd rather go with A2400, regular primers and higher velocities
H110 does really well in 300BLK and 410 bore

 

[Ganderite]

Maybe I am misunderstanding you but 2400 gives as good or slightly better velocity than H-110. At least according to my research and testing over a chrony. It is much better for reduced loads and doesn't require a heavy crimp or magnum primer though.

H110 is excellent for high velocity, but not good if you want something less than max.

2400 is more flexible. It can be loaded to max velocity, but also downloads to 75% velocity for less recoil, etc.

The OP has a jug of H110 to use up, so I am advising him to not downloading it. I would load 16 gr. For others reading this, 2400 is a better choice. It is easy to ignite and can be loaded hot or mild.

 

[B]

H110 is excellent for high velocity, but not good if you want something less than max.

2400 is more flexible. It can be loaded to max velocity, but also downloads to 75% velocity for less recoil, etc.

The OP has a jug of H110 to use up, so I am advising him to not downloading it. I would load 16 gr. For others reading this, 2400 is a better choice. It is easy to ignite and can be loaded hot or mild.

I agree, 2400 is the best overall powder I have found for .357 mag. It gives nearly identical velocities as H110 with less powder, doesn't need a mag primer or heavy crimp and it's reasonably clean on top of it all.

 

[legi0n]

with all due respect, in my 6" GP100 16.9gr H110 (over max!) only attained 1335fps (federal magnum primer)
while 15gr A2400 gave me 1418 fps with a regular primer

 

[B]

with all due respect, in my 6" GP100 16.9gr H110 (over max!) only attained 1335fps (federal magnum primer)
while 15gr A2400 gave me 1418 fps with a regular primer

I don't doubt it. My testing with a 4.2'' 686 showed a nearly identical trend as I approached max with both powders. I went as high as 15.2 with 2400 and 17 with H110. Velocities between guns can vary of course, add in different testing conditions, environmental conditions etc. and differences can be significant. I am unable to break 1200fps consistently with a 158 no matter what powder I try. Even plain American Eagle 158 JSP runs nearly 1300fps out of the same revolver. I just gave up, 1175ish is as good as it gets with the powders I have tried so far (H110, AA9, 2400, Lil' Gun, Enforcer)...

 

[legi0n]

with all due respect, in my 6" GP100 16.9gr H110 (over max!) only attained 1335fps (federal magnum primer)
while 15gr A2400 gave me 1418 fps with a regular primer

should have mentioned, 158gr hardcast (18BHN) bullet with a gas check

 

[Ganderite]

I don't doubt it. My testing with a 4.2'' 686 showed a nearly identical trend as I approached max with both powders. I went as high as 15.2 with 2400 and 17 with H110. Velocities between guns can vary of course, add in different testing conditions, environmental conditions etc. and differences can be significant. I am unable to break 1200fps consistently with a 158 no matter what powder I try. Even plain American Eagle 158 JSP runs nearly 1300fps out of the same revolver. I just gave up, 1175ish is as good as it gets with the powders I have tried so far (H110, AA9, 2400, Lil' Gun, Enforcer)...

Unless your revolver has a huge cylinder gap, I would be suspicious of the chrony. Have you tied a different unit? 1400 fps should be attainable.

 

[B]

Unless your revolver has a huge cylinder gap, I would be suspicious of the chrony. Have you tied a different unit? 1400 fps should be attainable.

Gap is .008''. Chrony appears to be fine, I use it quite often and the data typically jives with advertised velocities and/or published data. I can't say I have ever seen any jacketed 158 grain loads running 1400fps from a 4/4.2'' barrel. Here is a picture I came across a couple years ago. I copied it pretty closely when I did my own testing.

 

[Ganderite]

I just pulled my 357 log book and checked my records.

Seems that most of my 357 loads are in the range of 1150 fps. These were all developed for accuracy and comfort.

But I see that I did once do a load up to max in 4" Ruger Security Six. It maxed out at 1352 fps with a note that cratered primes were jamming the gun. Those were standard primers. Magnums might have been better.