Conflicting 296 starting loads for 357

Blue Duck357 · October 31, 2002, 06:18 PM

Seeing several different starting levels from various sources. Anyone loading 125 grain hollowpoints and maybe some chrono numbers...

Best, Blueduck

sricciardelli · October 31, 2002, 11:30 PM

W-296 From 16.9 grains to 21.2 grains
CCI-550 Primer

But I prefer:

This group, which measured somewhere around 0.970-inches for 5-shots at 25-yards.
It was fired using a Taurus 605 with a 2-1/4" barrel and open sights
Case: Remington
Primer: CCI-550
Powder: 22.0 grains of H-110
Bullet: Nosler 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Point
Velocity: ~ 1500 fps, 15' from muzzle

Cheapo · November 1, 2002, 06:54 PM

SRICCIARDELLI:

Do that AGAIN!! I love to see groups like that.

I shoot 125s exclusively now (except if I ever go deer hunting).

20.5 296 in one gun goes about 1425 fps, about 1460+ in another.

The bigger danger with 296 is squibs, especially in colder weather and more likely if you ignore the Magnum primer, tight neck (most important) and heavy crimp (probably least important, but...) instructions.

Note that Winchester's "use this load only, no alterations" instruction show a pretty nice and low chamber pressure. The other manuals do go to the upper end, but should be approached with caution for pressure signs.

That powder will really

light up

your life.

neal bloom · November 2, 2002, 07:53 PM

Nice group! How was the recoil from the 605?

Thanks for the info.

Poodleshooter · November 4, 2002, 05:43 PM

I see I'm not the only one who exceeds the recommended loads with 296/H110. I just hated not being able to duplicate the factory velocities.

Bogie · November 4, 2002, 06:09 PM

I concur - Use a tight crimp, and definitely use magnum primers. 296 is a HIGH LOADING DENSITY powder - you won't have to worry about accidentally double-charging a case.

braindead0 · November 4, 2002, 07:44 PM

Seems that somewhere along the line the loading manuals started way downloading .357 loads. The new Accurate Arms data correctly lists the .357 magnum SAAMI at 45,000cup.. finally.

Both of my newer manuals only show mega whimpy loads...

Cheapo · November 6, 2002, 01:21 AM

I thought .357 Mag was SAAMI 37,500, probably CUP because of the era....

Ben Shepherd · November 7, 2002, 09:27 AM

45,000 was the "original" max. (pushed a 158gr slug to 1520ish fps.) You might find it in one of grandpas reloading manuals.

I personally will not go anywhere near this level with anything weaker than a gp100.

Bogie · November 7, 2002, 11:12 AM

With H110 in my old Dan Wesson, I got sticky cases REAL fast, but 296 was much more forgiving...

A 125 grainer and a case full of the stuff is VERY spectacular in my .357 Winchester...

Clark · December 5, 2002, 12:35 AM

I was so afraid of the high start loads for H110 in 110 gr and 125 gr 357 mag, that I used a trigger string.

Later I wrote Hodgdon about the flattened magnum primers with the start loads.

They said that there is no danger of detonation in straight wall cartridges. The danger is bullets suck in the bore.

I must admit, that I see more stuck bullets cause more gun failures than overloads.

So I ran into some old Speer load books with reduced H110 loads for 38 special.

Another case of reloading fear and ignorance.

October 31, 2002, 06:18 PM	#1
Blue Duck357 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2000 Posts: 1,460	Seeing several different starting levels from various sources. Anyone loading 125 grain hollowpoints and maybe some chrono numbers... Best, Blueduck Last edited by Blue Duck357; October 31, 2002 at 07:07 PM.

October 31, 2002, 11:30 PM	#2
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	W-296 From 16.9 grains to 21.2 grains CCI-550 Primer But I prefer: This group, which measured somewhere around 0.970-inches for 5-shots at 25-yards. It was fired using a Taurus 605 with a 2-1/4" barrel and open sights Case: Remington Primer: CCI-550 Powder: 22.0 grains of H-110 Bullet: Nosler 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Point Velocity: ~ 1500 fps, 15' from muzzle __________________ http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

November 1, 2002, 06:54 PM	#3
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	SRICCIARDELLI: Do that AGAIN!! I love to see groups like that. I shoot 125s exclusively now (except if I ever go deer hunting). 20.5 296 in one gun goes about 1425 fps, about 1460+ in another. The bigger danger with 296 is squibs, especially in colder weather and more likely if you ignore the Magnum primer, tight neck (most important) and heavy crimp (probably least important, but...) instructions. Note that Winchester's "use this load only, no alterations" instruction show a pretty nice and low chamber pressure. The other manuals do go to the upper end, but should be approached with caution for pressure signs. That powder will really light up your life. __________________ Let us never forget that the only legitimate source of government power is the citizens. If WE cannot exercise a certain power, we cannot grant it to the state.

November 4, 2002, 06:09 PM	#6
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	I concur - Use a tight crimp, and definitely use magnum primers. 296 is a HIGH LOADING DENSITY powder - you won't have to worry about accidentally double-charging a case. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

November 4, 2002, 07:44 PM	#7
braindead0 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2002 Location: Canton, Oh Posts: 896	Seems that somewhere along the line the loading manuals started way downloading .357 loads. The new Accurate Arms data correctly lists the .357 magnum SAAMI at 45,000cup.. finally. Both of my newer manuals only show mega whimpy loads... __________________ DoD# 2223 Meum scapha volitare plenum anguillae

November 2, 2002, 07:53 PM	#4
neal bloom Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2001 Posts: 278	Nice group! How was the recoil from the 605? Thanks for the info.

November 4, 2002, 05:43 PM	#5
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	I see I'm not the only one who exceeds the recommended loads with 296/H110. I just hated not being able to duplicate the factory velocities.

November 6, 2002, 01:21 AM	#8
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	I thought .357 Mag was SAAMI 37,500, probably CUP because of the era.... __________________ Let us never forget that the only legitimate source of government power is the citizens. If WE cannot exercise a certain power, we cannot grant it to the state.

November 7, 2002, 09:27 AM	#9
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	45,000 was the "original" max. (pushed a 158gr slug to 1520ish fps.) You might find it in one of grandpas reloading manuals. I personally will not go anywhere near this level with anything weaker than a gp100. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

November 7, 2002, 11:12 AM	#10
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	With H110 in my old Dan Wesson, I got sticky cases REAL fast, but 296 was much more forgiving... A 125 grainer and a case full of the stuff is VERY spectacular in my .357 Winchester... __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

December 5, 2002, 12:35 AM	#11
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I was so afraid of the high start loads for H110 in 110 gr and 125 gr 357 mag, that I used a trigger string. Later I wrote Hodgdon about the flattened magnum primers with the start loads. They said that there is no danger of detonation in straight wall cartridges. The danger is bullets suck in the bore. I must admit, that I see more stuck bullets cause more gun failures than overloads. So I ran into some old Speer load books with reduced H110 loads for 38 special. Another case of reloading fear and ignorance.