new heavy .357 load

cook2007 · March 2, 2015, 11:51 PM

Working up a new 357 mag load for my ruger black hawk 8 inch barrel. Going to use 140 grain xtp and 158 grain hard cast for white tail . any recommendations for powder. Looking for fast hard hitting load with good accuracy.

reloader28 · March 3, 2015, 02:50 AM

2400 has always been popular. Its my pick.
110/296 is good for max loads, but I personally prefer 2400 since it has a much wider range of loads and plenty of speed for hunting

oldmanFCSA · March 3, 2015, 03:01 AM

2400 for cast bullets, WIN296 for Hornady 140 grain XTP's ( my favorite loading). Load the WIN296 near maximum for best results.

Shootest · March 3, 2015, 05:29 AM

2400 all the way for me. Just like it in all my 357s.

Martys · March 3, 2015, 07:56 AM

300 MP will blow your socks off. Been some postings about this powder on other forums. Good luck and be safe.

jersurf101 · March 3, 2015, 08:48 AM

I'll put in another vote for 2400. It is easier to light and works over a broader range than H110/w296. I have loaded quite a few of that same bullet (140gn xtp) over 14+ gns of 2400

TimSr · March 3, 2015, 10:29 AM

When you are going for the heavier loads, its hard to beat 110/296 in both velocity and accurracy, and I use for both jacketed and cast bullets (18 BRN).

My advise from my personal experience is to skip the cast, and go with the XTP. I've not used the 140, but see no advantage over the 158gr. where max penetration is desired.

300MP looks promising but have no experience with it.

Chaz88 · March 3, 2015, 04:14 PM

I like 2400 and H110. I use a magnum primer with H110.

EDIT: If you happen to load 2400 on the lighter end I suggest you give it a bit tighter crimp.

madmo44mag · March 3, 2015, 05:07 PM

I love 2400 but I get my best results in 357 with IMR4227.

skizzums · March 3, 2015, 05:13 PM

h110 is ALWAYS king for velocity, and it burns clean, but man is it a wrist breaker. I like lil' gun too despite the "sometimes" inconsistent burn and the excessive heat. but these days, I am wimpy and generally always use 4227(easier to find as well), it's more pleasant to shoot. plus the only 357's I shoot anymore are out of a lever so I can always reach pretty high velocities no matter what powder I am using.

{Edit: Please read the board policy on posting copyrighted materials.}

if you go with 4227, use a good strong crimp as there are many complaints about unburned powder, I don't have an issue with it though.

kerreckt · March 3, 2015, 05:23 PM

2400 or110/296 or 4227 would get you top performance. I shoot a load of 6.2 gr. of SR4756 under a 158gr. -170gr. LSWC hardcast bullet. Very accurate hard hitting load . 1150+/-fps. out of a 4" Ruger GP101. Manageable load with plenty of punch that I can shoot accurately. Also, it is not real hard on my handguns. Over the years I have played around with some max loads and decided that it wasn't my calling. Shot placement is my strategy. Best wishes.

cook2007 · March 3, 2015, 07:18 PM

My other question is I have a s&w model 66 no dash. I use as a pack gun while rideimg trail in northern Michigan. What would a recommendation for that lite of a revolver?

WCWV · March 6, 2015, 05:33 PM

158 grn cast on top of 2400. Been shooting that for years and have never found anything to beat it.

WIL TERRY · March 7, 2015, 07:29 PM

I would like to see Your Ruger Blackhawk with an eight inch barrel, Sir.

cook2007 · March 8, 2015, 09:10 PM

Sorry it is a 6.5 inch barrel

March 2, 2015, 11:51 PM	#1
cook2007 Member Join Date: September 28, 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 27	new heavy .357 load Working up a new 357 mag load for my ruger black hawk 8 inch barrel. Going to use 140 grain xtp and 158 grain hard cast for white tail . any recommendations for powder. Looking for fast hard hitting load with good accuracy.

March 3, 2015, 03:01 AM	#3
oldmanFCSA Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 283	2400 for cast bullets, WIN296 for Hornady 140 grain XTP's ( my favorite loading). Load the WIN296 near maximum for best results. __________________ OldmanFCSA = "Oldman" at www.fcsa.org FCSA Member, SCSA Member, NRA Member, & AMA Member "Oldage & Treachery will overcome Youth & Skill"

March 3, 2015, 05:29 AM	#4
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	2400 all the way for me. Just like it in all my 357s. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

March 3, 2015, 04:14 PM	#8
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	I like 2400 and H110. I use a magnum primer with H110. EDIT: If you happen to load 2400 on the lighter end I suggest you give it a bit tighter crimp. __________________ Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it.

March 3, 2015, 05:07 PM	#9
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	I love 2400 but I get my best results in 357 with IMR4227. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

March 3, 2015, 02:50 AM	#2
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	2400 has always been popular. Its my pick. 110/296 is good for max loads, but I personally prefer 2400 since it has a much wider range of loads and plenty of speed for hunting

March 3, 2015, 07:56 AM	#5
Martys Member Join Date: January 19, 2013 Posts: 62	300 MP will blow your socks off. Been some postings about this powder on other forums. Good luck and be safe.

March 3, 2015, 08:48 AM	#6
jersurf101 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 553	I'll put in another vote for 2400. It is easier to light and works over a broader range than H110/w296. I have loaded quite a few of that same bullet (140gn xtp) over 14+ gns of 2400

March 3, 2015, 10:29 AM	#7
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	When you are going for the heavier loads, its hard to beat 110/296 in both velocity and accurracy, and I use for both jacketed and cast bullets (18 BRN). My advise from my personal experience is to skip the cast, and go with the XTP. I've not used the 140, but see no advantage over the 158gr. where max penetration is desired. 300MP looks promising but have no experience with it.

March 3, 2015, 05:13 PM	#10
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	h110 is ALWAYS king for velocity, and it burns clean, but man is it a wrist breaker. I like lil' gun too despite the "sometimes" inconsistent burn and the excessive heat. but these days, I am wimpy and generally always use 4227(easier to find as well), it's more pleasant to shoot. plus the only 357's I shoot anymore are out of a lever so I can always reach pretty high velocities no matter what powder I am using. {Edit: Please read the board policy on posting copyrighted materials.} if you go with 4227, use a good strong crimp as there are many complaints about unburned powder, I don't have an issue with it though. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed Last edited by Unclenick; March 7, 2015 at 02:40 PM.

March 3, 2015, 05:23 PM	#11
kerreckt Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2011 Location: SE VA. Posts: 216	2400 or110/296 or 4227 would get you top performance. I shoot a load of 6.2 gr. of SR4756 under a 158gr. -170gr. LSWC hardcast bullet. Very accurate hard hitting load . 1150+/-fps. out of a 4" Ruger GP101. Manageable load with plenty of punch that I can shoot accurately. Also, it is not real hard on my handguns. Over the years I have played around with some max loads and decided that it wasn't my calling. Shot placement is my strategy. Best wishes.

March 3, 2015, 07:18 PM	#12
cook2007 Member Join Date: September 28, 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 27	My other question is I have a s&w model 66 no dash. I use as a pack gun while rideimg trail in northern Michigan. What would a recommendation for that lite of a revolver?

March 6, 2015, 05:33 PM	#13
WCWV Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2015 Posts: 137	158 grn cast on top of 2400. Been shooting that for years and have never found anything to beat it.

March 7, 2015, 07:29 PM	#14
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	I would like to see Your Ruger Blackhawk with an eight inch barrel, Sir.

March 8, 2015, 09:10 PM	#15
cook2007 Member Join Date: September 28, 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 27	Sorry it is a 6.5 inch barrel