I'm new to reloading and have a question about using H110 powder. I'd like to load up some .357's with 158 gr. lswc. I have read that it's a powder used for full powered magnums. I want to be safe, so I'm asking the experts. Would using this powder with a starting load of 15 gr. and using small pistol magnum primers be the place to start? I'll be shooting these rounds out of a Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel. What sort of recoil should I expect?
need a little information about H110 powder
- Thread starter mtinner
- Start date
skinnedknuckles
New member
I've done some loading with 15.0 gr H110 and SPMP under a 158 gr X-Treme plated HP that yielded about 1235 fps from my Taurus Model 66 with a 4" barrel (and 1700 fps in my Rossi Model 92 with a 20: barrel). That is the starting load and I haven't done any more load development to fine tune the load yet. Unless you are using a gas check on your lead SWC, "conventional wisdom" will say you'll have significant leading, but that seems to vary widely based on gun, lead chemistry and hardness, and bullet size so YMMV.
I think your Ruger is heavier than my Taurus but you will definitely know you are firing a magnum
. I'm personally not that wild about shooting magnum in my Taurus but I wanted a magnum load for the Rossi. I usually shoot .38 Special +P level loads or target wadcutter loads from the Taurus.
I think your Ruger is heavier than my Taurus but you will definitely know you are firing a magnum
. I'm personally not that wild about shooting magnum in my Taurus but I wanted a magnum load for the Rossi. I usually shoot .38 Special +P level loads or target wadcutter loads from the Taurus.That's Hogdon's starting/min load for that bullet weight & should be within spec.
But note that the listing is for a jacketed bullet, not bare lead (or not lead without a gas check).
You are "likely" to encounter leading w/ a plain-base bullet at the listed 29-30,000 CUP pressures.
If you want to shoot bare-based SWCs, I suggest several other faster powders -- Unique/Universal come to mind at mid-range 4-5grains for either.
But note that the listing is for a jacketed bullet, not bare lead (or not lead without a gas check).
You are "likely" to encounter leading w/ a plain-base bullet at the listed 29-30,000 CUP pressures.
If you want to shoot bare-based SWCs, I suggest several other faster powders -- Unique/Universal come to mind at mid-range 4-5grains for either.
You will want a gas check. The Thompson designed Lyman 358156 is a great general purpose LSWCGC that is very accurate, and has performed very well for me for nearly 40 years.
Plain base bullets can be used at high velocity, but you have to have the size and alloy just right.
Plain base bullets can be used at high velocity, but you have to have the size and alloy just right.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
Just remember with this powder do not reduce starting loads. Also I have found it to be too hot for plain lead. With jacketed bullets it works for full power loads just fine.
The starting load of 15 grains is for a jacketed bullet, not a cast. There are no cast bullet H110 loads given by Hodgdon. Use a different powder or a jacketed bullet.
Your GP won't care. Felt recoil is subjective, of course, but assuming you have the stock grips, you won't notice much of it. Other than the revolver jumping more.
Your GP won't care. Felt recoil is subjective, of course, but assuming you have the stock grips, you won't notice much of it. Other than the revolver jumping more.
buck460XVR
New member
Lyman gives a starting load of 15.8 for an 160gr unchecked cast lead bullet(1343fps). I'm thinkin' 15 would be just fine if the bullet fit to throats/bore is good. I'd just make sure I used a heavy crimp and a magnum primer.
First and MOST important question is: WHAT type of lead bullet are you planning on using? Swaged Lead (Speer or Hornady arer examples) or Hard Cast?
If Swaged lead, you will have terrible leading issues. Hard Cast... not so much.
Winchester had 14.5 gr. of W296 as Max. for Lead 158 gr. bullets (W296 and H110 are the same).
Lyman has 15.8 - 16.5 gr. H110 driving a 160 Gr. Linotype Cast bullet.
You may or may not get leading from cast bullets dending on alloy, sizing vs. your bore, bore roughness, etc.
If Swaged lead, you will have terrible leading issues. Hard Cast... not so much.
Winchester had 14.5 gr. of W296 as Max. for Lead 158 gr. bullets (W296 and H110 are the same).
Lyman has 15.8 - 16.5 gr. H110 driving a 160 Gr. Linotype Cast bullet.
You may or may not get leading from cast bullets dending on alloy, sizing vs. your bore, bore roughness, etc.
Thanks for all of the replies.
I do read all of my manuals, but I also like to check on here and get other's opinions. I'm thinking that I'll be getting some gas checks and load up a few rounds and see what happens. I'll probably do some jacketed bullets as well.
Thanks again for all the help.
I do read all of my manuals, but I also like to check on here and get other's opinions. I'm thinking that I'll be getting some gas checks and load up a few rounds and see what happens. I'll probably do some jacketed bullets as well.
Thanks again for all the help.
skinnedknuckles
New member
Take a look at MBC's Hi-Tek coated bullets as an alternative to gas checked bullets. My experience is still limited but I've pushed 180 gr WFN coated bullets to 1100 fps with no leading (1550 fps in the carbine as well). I haven't had time to experiment with the 158 gr SWC coated bullets waiting on the shelf. Other posters have claimed good results with coated bullets at over 2000 fps, but I can't speak to that (yet).
I loaded up standard lead bullets up to 1300+ fps no problem. My suggestion is to try them and see (as long as these are not 'pure' lead bullets). You won't harm the gun in any way. Most all of my guns have never seen a jacketed or gas checked bullet. I stay away from H110/296 though as it is an all or nothing powder. 2400 and 4227 are more my style for magnum loads when and if I go that high. If just punching paper, suggest getting velocities sub-sonic for nice target loads with Unique, or Green dot, etc...