Varget in 357?

[mechanic]

For a while I have toyed with the idea of just one powder for my loading.  For two reasons, the primary one being money.  Several here suggested Varget for my rifles, and it has worked out very well. 
Now I have purchased a 357 barrel for my Handi, and I need to work up loads for it.  I have just picked up reloading again after 20+ years, and am relearning.  I once used Bullseye for all my 38/357 with good results.  But what about a rifle powder?  What about Varget?  Some of you are quite knowledgeable, and I would appreciate your input.

Ben

[Graybeard]

NO.

Use proper powders for the job. Trying to use one powder for all jobs is both dangerous and dumb. Be smart.

[243dave]

Varget may not be dangerous in a 357, but it sure isn't ideal. It burns much too slow. You could never get enough varget in a 357 case to give suitable velocity. IMHO it would be a waste of time and good rifle powder.   Dave

[mechanic]

Varget may not be dangerous in a 357, but it sure isn't ideal. It burns much too slow. You could never get enough varget in a 357 case to give suitable velocity. IMHO it would be a waste of time and good rifle powder.   Dave

Thats what I was curious about.  I know its a slow burn powder, but It will be shot from a 22" barrel, not a 4" or so.

On the flip side, the Bullseye I have traditionally used for my pistols, is a very fast powder.  Its also very dangerous if one is not careful, easy to double charge. 

What is a good powder for 357 in a rifle?  I've got to buy new manuals, mine are so old some of the listed powders are no longer available.

NO.

Use proper powders for the job. Trying to use one powder for all jobs is both dangerous and dumb. Be smart.

Mr. Graybeard, I was just posing this as a question, not necessarily as something I would surely do.  It sure would be nice if we could limit our selection of some things.  The shop I was in just today has over 80 types of powder on hand.  I remember my Dad had quite a few when he died, most of which he had tried and not liked.  When all was said and done, he really only used 3 or 4 types.  With some of this stuff getting over $25.00 a pound, I'll take all the advice I can get before I jump in.

The advice I got on this forum led me to try the Varget in my rifles, and it has performed very well in all of them.  I never would have tried it if I had not bounced questions off the members here.

Thanks to all,
Ben

[243dave]

Mechanic when I say varget is too slow for a 357 that includes a rifle too. You just can't get enough in the case to be useful. For a top velocity load h-110 and w-296 are unbeatable(they will also fill up your brass, no double charges), but for reduced loads its not good at all. For reduced loads I use titegroup made by hodgden. It burns very clean and is accurate. I know you want to use one powder for everything but if you load like me and load your pistol-cartridge levergun for squirrels to whitetail, you might need two.  Dave

[dpe.ahoy]

Another excellent powder for the 357 is Hodgdon LilGun for full power loads, I've switched from H-110 to it.  Haven't used Tite-Group in the 357, but like it in light 45 colt loads.  It should work as good in the 357.  False economy can be very expensive, buy the right powder and be happy.  Yer really gonna like that handi with the 357 barrel.  DP

[PigBoy Crabshaw]

2400 ?

[Tom W.]

Blue Dot works well in my .357, but I don't have very cold weather down here, either... Some folk say that it doesn't do well in the extreme cold.

[Graybeard]

Oh I agree Ben it would be nice if life was so simple. It can be simplified if one is willing to accept less than ideal performance of course. Depending on how many rounds you load for you could get by with a half dozen or less powders but always always use powders appropriate for the round. I agree that Varget in the .357 likely isn't dangerous for the stated reason you can't put enough in there to rise pressures high enough but then light loads can also be dangerous under certain situations. I'm just not sure what the result of using it would be and since it is not something pressure tested by loading manual publishers it's just not smart to try it.

The same powders best for the round in handguns is also best in rifles. That's just the way it works out it's not the length of barrel that matters so much as the capacity of the case and the bore diameter that determines which powders work best.

In the .357 Magnum 2400 is an excellent choice. It is but one of many but it's never a bad choice. Unique also works well as does W296/H110.

[LaOtto222]

There really is no powder that can do it all in all cases - But if I had to use one powder for all my handgun cases and only one, it would be Unique. It is suitable in just about any handgun case and will handle low power up to mid power type loads in most cases. There are better choices for full power loads in the 357 and 44 mags for instance. W296/H110 is an excellent powder for both of those rounds, but they will not work if you want to cut back some, for cast bullet for instance. You ask many people what they would use and you will get many different answers, but I really think if I was limited to one gun powder for hand gun cases, it would be still be Unique. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Selmer]

The same powders that work well in a pistol will work well in your handi.  If I had a Handi in .357 I'd punch it out to a .357 Maximum, but that's just me.

[buck460XVR]

The same powders that work well in a pistol will work well in your handi. 

I agree. My loads that work well in my 686 also shoot well outta my lever .357. For plinkin' the little carbine loves 7.5 grains of Unique under a 158 JSP.