Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Loading .357 today

Hawk,
I've had really good luck with lil-gun in the 357 mag. It's far better in below zero temps in the 357 mag, over 110/296. It also works better in short barrels.

Here's a recovered 180 grain swift a-frame using lil gun. It was a finishing shot on a downed bull. 1200 fps, that bullet made it clear to the offside hide of a massive, rut-swollen neck of a bull moose.

Dunno what you'd need anymore velocity than that? I don't appreciate stuck cases in ruger cylinders, like you get from hot-loaded 357 mag using 110/296.

In my Ruger GP100,6" I had two loads:

17.8g of IMR 4227 with a 125g Soft point

18.0g of H110

CCI mag primers, decent crimp

So you all know, H110 is Winchester 295

18gr LilGun under 158gr XTPs, CCI550

14.9gr 2400 under LC 158 SWC, standard primers.

Cost? I dunno, this stuff is all pre-crunch.

Following for info. Just picked up a Smith and Wesson 19-5 and 66-2 . 6" and 4" barrels, all my handgun loading experience has been 10mm and a bunch of 44 mags .

H-110/296 is not temperamental, but is a powder that should not be loaded below 90% load density.
H-110/296 is my go to powder for Magnum loads in 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 Colt +P, 454 and 475L.

Love the powder

I just shot someI loaded a couple weeks ago. 18.5 H110 wspm . 140xtp . 18.6 was Hornady max. listed as 1400fps 8" barrel .


Its a handful in a sp 101 3" so much I looked up data to make sure I didn't mess up. I didn't but Sierra has their 140s at like 20.5 or they're close listed at 1700 FPS out of a 4.5" barrel .... SOB ..

that's a lot of umph right there! Sounds like a handful.

Lil Gun gives top velocity at significantly less pressure than anything I’ve seen. It’s the magic fairy dust in the .357 and .22 Hornet. Data from Handloader goes to 19.0 grains, but I usually stick with 18.0, which is pretty lively as it is.

Congrats on the moose, and looks like perfect bullet performance to me. Nicely done.

Guy

Not at significantly less pressure at near equal performance the pressure isn't significantly different

Im another that prefers 2400 over h110 and 296, 2400 behind 158 gr XTP’s is one of the best loads in my 4” L frame,

started loading 2400 many years ago in my 44 mag and was a very forgiving and easy to use powder, so I just stuck with it, these days the H110 and 296 get used in my grandsons 410!

I’ve been using 296 in mine, I’m going to try 2400.

In my opinion and experience if you want top velocity in your 357 Magnum H-110/296 is the best choice over 2400. If you want to down load a bit then 2400

Again, if you can find it, SR 4756 produces some of the zippiest loads.

#1=2400. #2=4756. #Last=Lil Gun. I find it runs hot, temp wise. I'm fortunate to have lucked into an estate that had cans and cans of sealed, still, Unique, 2400, Unique and 4756.

I'm going to have to buy 357 factory ammo to get brass. Everywhere I looked they are out. I want to load up some 170 swc for this 28 I just got.

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-357-keith-swc-fb-170-gr-per-500.html

79S, Starline is in stock today $99.50 for 500

Not any longer.......they be out!

Gun Broker..........4 pages of it, new & used.

back ordered now, but that means maybe a week delay. I jump if it says that, as it will be shipping soon. Buying Starline cases from Gun Broker instead of direct
will always cost more. Often double.