Do Slow Magnum Handgun Powders Cause Forcing Cone Erosion?

[Racer X]

I have gotten conflicting information from some of the custom revolversmiths, Freedom Arms and the powder companies regarding whether extensive use of slow magnum handgun powders such as H110 / W296 cause forcing cone and barrel erosion. Some say safe, heavy loads with cast bullets and H110 is the best combination to ensure long gunlife. Others say extensive use of these powders will erode the barrel. 

My questions are:

1) Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge gained through shooting thousands of rounds of ammo loaded with H110 / W296 to support either view? 

2) What about some of the other magnum handgun powders such as such as 2400, AA #9, Lil' Gun or the 4227s. Are these powders rough on barrels & forcing cones?

[Lloyd Smale]

ill give you my only first hand knowlege. The only barrel ive shot out the forcing cones on was my first smith 15 shooting .38s using light jacketed bullets and bullseye at a pretty warm level.

[Steelbanger]

I had severe forcing cone erosion in my first Super Blackhawk. Load was the 250 gr. Lyman Keith bullet & a published charge of Hercules 2400. Many thousands of rounds run through this barrel and although eroded it still shot very good. I wish I still had it.

[Dusty Miller]

That's not the kind of thing I sweat over.  If the forcing cone goes south on me then I'll either get it repaired or send the gun on its way. 

[Glanceblamm]

Agreed with Dusty...If you can shoot the thing out, it will probably be worth the overall experience not to mention boosting your profieciency way up there.
Same with rifle barrels..Just dont get them too hot.

[Flint]

The fastest flame cutting comes from slow powders with light bullets.  Apparently the bullet gets into the bore while the powder is still burning strong and torches the topstrap and forcing cone.  A heavy bullet stays longer in the cylinder so the fire goes out sooner after the bullet enters the barrel.

[georgeld]

I've wondered about that myself, glad you asked.

Don't know that my exp/gun will relate to the big bore's you guys are talking about.

Bought my .30 Carbine o/mod in March 1973, near as I could guess it's got around 10,000 thru it.

Almost all reloaded jacketed 110grs, and softpoints, but, has burned a lot of fmj's too.

The only two loads I've ever used in it are either:  12, or 12.5 gr H110, or H4227, which I use interchangebly depending on what powder happens to be on hand.

I just looked and there's about 3/16" rifling gone from the cone on this barrel.  I don't see any wear
at all on the cyl.  There is one cyl bore that sticks the case, and has for yrs.  I've sent it to Ruger twice and they claim nothing is wrong with it, but, it still sticks the case every loading unless it's freshly cleaned. after the second shot it's stuck tight.

I've tried 13gr a few times and found it's too hot for this gun. Can't recall now what the indication is, just that it's too hot for some reason.

Hope this helps,

George

[safetysheriff]

Basil,

from experience i can only say that my Ruger 5 1/2" SBH doesn't seem to have enough wear to tell.     

HOWEVER:  in print i've seen Paco Kelly, now of www.Leverguns.com, say that the slow, spherical powders ate the forcing cones up faster.    in print, however, the Linebaugh website will tell you that the revolver will stay tight longer using these powders because it doesn't "hit the gun" as hard.   in other words, the frame stays tighter on a revolver that isn't abused with the faster powders; and it lasts longer with the slower, spherical powders.

I SUSPECT that a lower pressure load, of a slower powder like IMR or Hodgdon's 4227 would be easier on the forcing cone.   it won't produce the same velocity.......with its energy levels being lower and less explosive than the energy being released by H-110 or Win-296.   that in itself tells me that the slow spherical powders produce more heat and pressure that work on the forcing cone.

i think the man above who spoke about using light bullets with those very slow spherical powders was on to something.    i think his theory has merit.

a seemingly good powder for velocity, and use whether hunting or doing silhouette shooting, is Alliant's Blue Dot.    i really like the stuff, both for the velocity and for its use with bullets from 180 to 270 gr's in weight in my .44 mag's.

take care,

ss'