H110/W296 load disparities

B

Brutus

New member
Decided to load some full magnum loads for my .357 using W296.
Load data seems to be all over the place, haven't used it in .357 for 38 years.
Primarily use it for .44 mag. Only .357 load I've tried was 17.5 gr under a 158gr. JHP.
Bought some Hornady 125gr. XTP's and will be using CCI 350 mag primers.
Problem is:
Hornady's 50th. lists 16.9 gr's for 1250fps. and 19.6gr's for 1450.

Speer's latest manual lists 18.3gr's for 1188 and 20.3gr's for 1336.

My other 3 manuals, Lyman 48, Hodgden 2015 and M&R list 21gr's for 1357 and 22gr's for 1506.

I know these powders, 296 & H110 have a small operating window and your cautioned not to use to little but these spreads seem extreme for this powder.:confused:
 
As with any reloading data... look at the finer points: Test barrel or actual pistol barrel? Differences in bullet construction. Differences in primers, etc, etc. All those little differences can add up to bigger differences on paper. In your particular case, W296 and H110 were different powders in the past, but are the very same powder today... including sharing identical load data on Hodgdon's website. Because Hodgdon's data appears to be the most up-to-date (depending on the bullet used in said data) that's where I would go.
 
Different test conditions and powder lots and different bullets are why they are different.

Since you are using the XTP, just use the Hornady Data and life will be good.
 
Reloading manuals are not hard and fast formula. They are published reports of what the test techs found when they used their supply of components with the listed charges, on their equipment at that time. Way too many variable, even very slight, to make all reports identical. When in doubt, start with the lowest published charges...
 
also remember companies compete.
any time a competing company can publish lower velocities to push people toward there own market they will do so.
Look at the velocities published between Remington and Winchester.
They often publish different velocities just to suggest there company builds a better platform.
 
Thanks for the feedback folks, I'm well versed in the Intricacies of reloading since I've been doing it for 40+ years. Quit using 296 and switched to 2400 many years ago, unfortunately 2400 or AA#9 is not available and I took what I could get. All I want to know is whether 16.9gr. will stick a bullet in the tube or conversely if 21gr. will blow up my gun. Wish I hadn't of bought the stuff.
As I mentioned I've used it in .44 mag (23.5gr under 240gr jhp) which is why I'm concerned with 22gr's. in a .357. :eek:
 
17.5 grains of either H110 or Win 296 is .8 of a grain over max. 22 is waaaay over max, according to Hodgdon's site(that is becoming more and more suspect). So are all the quoted loads from other manuals. All of which likely used different powder lots. Current max for a 158 grain jacketed bullet(that just happens to be an XTP.) out of either a revolver(10" test barrel for some daft reason.) or rifle is 16.7.
And you do not need magnum primers for any magnum named cartridge. The cartridge name has nothing to do with the primer used. Magnum primers are about the powder used and nothing else.
 
Keep trying to get AA-9, as it is an excellent powder for what you are trying to do. H-110 and 296 powders are likely better suited to heavier bullets.
 
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T. Oheir
21 to 22 grains is what Hodgden's recommends both in their 2015 manual and website, same data is printed in Lymans 48th. for a Hornady 125gr. XTP.
Just doesn't seem right to me.
 
Decided to throw out some of my 30+ year old manuals and get some new ones. Bought Hornady's 10th. and Lyman's 50th.
While the Lyman still lists 21/22 grains of H110 for a 125gr. jhp.
The Hornady lists 17.4/19.9 for their 125gr xtp.

Think I'm going to leave H110 and 296 for the .44mag. and stick to 2400 for .357.

Also found a really useful ballastics calculator on the Hornady website:)
 
Think I'm going to leave H110 and 296 for the .44mag. and stick to 2400 for .357.
Click to expand...
I like both powders, but I have yet to own a .357mag in any handgun (or rifle) that got better results with 2400 over 296/110. I've been shooting a LOT of .357mag for almost fifty years and I shoot a lot and have owned more .357mag revolvers (two Coonan semi's also) than I can remember. Although you have to shoot some pretty stout loads to stay in the correct load range per the loading manuals with 296, I've never gotten better results with anything else with jacketed bullets. Cast is a different story. You might want to load and compare with each one before making a statement about dropping one.
 
Interesting, I'm using the last of my 296 on some 158 grainers because load data seems much more realistic for that bullet weight. Just can't get comfortable with a powder charge that is only slightly less than what I use in 44 mag.
 
I.would not start working up a load at less than 16.9 grains. That powder is one you need to not reduce to below starting load. For lighter bullets I prefer to use AA9.
 
Hornady_6th* says 296/110_20.3/19.9 Max** for that bullet @1.590"
I'd believe them.


*
OP cited "Hornady 50th"
Might that have actually been Lyman 50th?

**
Same powder/different lots. Figure 20gr is a nice average
 
Interesting, I'm using the last of my 296 on some 158 grainers because load data seems much more realistic for that bullet weight. Just can't get comfortable with a powder charge that is only slightly less than what I use in 44 mag.
Click to expand...
As a general rule, heavier bullets use less powder than lighter bullets. There's nothing "interesting" about it. This is something anyone who loads should understand. If this is a concept you don't understand, you'd better read the loading manual before loading. Most manuals will give a beginner a tutorial on the basics of loading. You may not have read yours. You might want to look at it to avoid problems down the road. Comparing load data and powder weights based on caliber vs caliber is not how things work. READ THE BOOK.
 
Sorry didn't mean to touch a nerve but one of my reloading rules is "If it don't feel right don't do it
Click to expand...
No "nerve" to me, I don't do it and I understand loading....after 50+ years of doing it. I'd hate to see someone get hurt by not understanding the basic principles. I've had many people over the years ask me about using more powder for heavier bullets. When I tell them it doesn't work that way they stare at me in disbelief.
 
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