Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 2400 in 357mag

That's just plain scary crazy, putting Unique in the same velocity category as 2400 and H110. You'll blow your gun up trying to match Unique velocities with the other two.

Don

Perhaps you should go back and read the part about using Unique for mild to midrange loads.

Okay, so I went back, and here is the quote I believe you are referring to:
"For mild to mid-range loads, Unique will give the same velocity as 2400, but with less flash and less recoil".
The problem with this is, why would you use a slow burn rate powder like 2400 for "mild to mid-range loads"? And if you did load 2400 down for a direct comparison to Unique, Unique would no doubt out perform 2400 due to it operating within a good pressure range. While you can compare 2400 and H110 loads and make the claim that your H110 loads are better than 2400, it makes no sense to compare Unique with 2400 loads that operate at a higher velocity level. Just MHO.

Don

I don't have a lot of experience loading the .357 Mag. I do consider the .357 Mag our most versatile handgun cartridge. It's the most powerful revolver cartridge that most shooters can control. I know that the .44 Mag, .454 Casull, etc are beyond my ability to shoot with accurate follow-up shots. Since I carry a .357 Mag just about darn near exclusively for black bear protection, I'd go with 6 .357 Mag hits as opposed to one for sure .44 Mag hit and 5 others, one of which I hope will hit.

I've used H-110, which is identical to W-W 296. I load 180 grain Partitions at max charges. Since my black bear gun has a 4" barrel, I'm realistic about velocity. If it'll break a 1000 FPS, I'd be lucky. But the truth is, 100 FPS one way or the other ain't gonna matter much. So I don't get knotted up over velocity. I've read that it's possible to get 1100 FPS with 180 grain cast bullets out of a 4" barrel. I could be persuaded to give 180 grain cast bullets a shot at replacing Partitions. I'm pretty sure Nosler no longer makes 180 grain .357 Mag Partitions.

Li'l Gun seems to be popular with heavy .357 Mag bullets. I think it'll kick in another 35 FPS above H-110's contribution. Whether that tiny velocity increase is worth the effort would be up to loaders. However, I could be persuaded to go with Li'l Gun if it provides benefits that H-110 doesn't.

While 2400 is great powder, the reality is that there are many powders that will do darn near the same thing out of a .357 Mag Revolver. In fact, about a year ago I've read an article about VV-N105 in the .357 Mag. Apparently, those experimenting with his powder were achieving highest .357 Mag velocities with no indicators of excessive pressure. It might be true because while once easy to find, this powder does sell out fast. BTW, VV-N105 does darn near mystical things to the .40 S&W, like giving it near 10MM velocities. But that's of interest to only loaders who are looking for velocity and to those wanting powder that produces low pressure.

Thanks Don. That does help. Leomort, if you are going to reload your Ruger, come down to the Bullet Casting forum here at the Camp Fire. You'll find a lot more technical knowlege and fewer trolls.

Lots of people use 2400 for mid-range loads, and it's frequently suggested here. I'm not talking about mouse fart cowboy action loads, but loads that are a step or two back from full power. I was simply pointing out to Lemort that he already has a powder that will work better for that type of load.

Try actually reading the post and thinking next time before you fly off the handle.

You really don't understand internal ballistics do you? Does the barrel length have anything to do with the optimum powder burning rate and pressure curve? Would you load a 2 1/2 inch 357 revolver with H-110 and expect to get top velocity from it? Why do you think we load heavy magnum rifles using heavy bullets with slow burning powders? Why do we usually see at least 26 inch barrels on those magnum rifles? Do we expect to lose velocity if we use a shorter barrel on them? What would cause such a loss of velocity?

Some of you boys need to do your home work because it is obvious that you failed physics and chemistry, both of which are intergral to the understanding of internal and external ballistics. Pay attention to both Boyle's and Charles's Laws.

I read your post and I believe I quoted you accurately. If I did not, please point it out to me and I will stand corrected.

...it is safe to say the maximum safe load of H110 (which would be just enough to fill the case to the base of the bullet) will be fully burned before the bullet exits the barrel of any 4 inch revolver, whether the cartridge is 30 carbine, 357 mag, 41 RM, or 44 Rem Mag.

Still confused why Hornady and Sierra reloading manuals list small magnum pistol primer with 2400 in 357mag while speer reloading manual states not to use magnum primer with 2400.