Author Topic: Best Powder for 357mag for deer (Read 1497 times)

Matt3357 · « **on:** June 23, 2009, 07:21:59 AM »

I plan on taking my 6" 686 revolver with me deer hunting this fall. I have 158gr XTP's I would like to push around 1200-1300 fps for deer at archery ranges. What I am looking for is my current holy grail. I would like a powder that will not only work for 158gr, but for 125gr and 110gr XTP's as well (the latter not for deer but for self defense and varmints) I need it to be accurate first, temperature resistant, meter well, and clean last. I hunt in Illinois so we could have any where from 0 degrees up to 45 degrees during deer season. I do not want to use H110 or W296. Powders I have on hand: AA#5, Unique, W231

I know AA#5 will give me the velocity I want, but I hear that it is very sensitive to temperature, not from first hand experience.

Thanks in advance for all of your replies.

Matt

buck460XVR · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2009, 07:41:40 AM »

I don't understand your hesitance to use H110/W296. Most of my load manuals do not show AA#5 for 158s. Lil' Gun works well with 158s but works better for me with 170s and 180s. My best accuracy outta my 6'' 686 with 158XTPs is with H110.

Hafast · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:56:06 AM »

My 6" 686 loves 2400 for all those bullet weights.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2009, 09:09:17 AM »

matt, 2400 was always my favorite for heavy loads. It doesn't make it the best, just my favorite. It is the one I would go with if I were in your stand..

Matt3357 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2009, 09:50:31 AM »

My biggest question is temperature Sensitivity. It can be like it was last year, down around 0 degrees. I need something that will perform reliably at colder temperatures as well as hot temperatures as I will be practicing this summer.

Matt

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2009, 10:33:12 AM »

I believe you are kidding yourself regarding the problem regarding temperature sensitivity. It's not the issue many believe it to be.

For the .357 Magnum the very best powders are 2400 and H110/W296. If you are that hung up on temperature sensitivity then look at the powders from Western Powder Co. I believe their full line is insensitive to temperature. What they make for magnum handguns tho I have no clue.

My recommendation to you considering your position on H110/W296 tho would be to use 2400.

sk330lc · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2009, 02:15:50 PM »

H110 Would be my choice. 2400 would be second. I've hunted and shot mine with 2400 from -10 to 85 degrees and have never noticed a diff. I developed the loads in 70 to 80 degree weather. I use STD. primers with 2400 and Mag primers with H110.

Bearcat 74 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2009, 02:39:43 PM »

My 686 loves 2400 and standard primers with the 158gr XTP-FP.

Matt3357 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2009, 05:18:16 PM »

Looks like 2400 has a strong following here and am strongly considering it. I am pretty green when it comes to reloading, but I am very meticulous and cautious, nonetheless I don't feel comfortable with the compressed or near compressed loads of H110/W296. I have heard of squibs if the powder does not ignite all the way due to cold temps, etc.

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2009, 05:22:34 PM »

Quote from: Matt3357 on June 23, 2009, 05:18:16 PM

Looks like 2400 has a strong following here. I am pretty green when it comes to reloading, but I am very meticulous and cautious, nonetheless I don't feel comfortable with compressed or near compressed loads that could result in a squib if the powder does not ignite all the way.

Huh? Dunno what you been reading but ya need to stop it. Seriously that's just not a likely event. Dunno who's been telling you that kinda stuff but I'd stop paying attention to them. Compressed or near compressed has nothing to do with squip loads or failure to ignite and really little to nothing to do with any of the powders we've been discussing. It sounds to me like you're operating with a lot of misinformation.

Matt3357 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2009, 06:22:02 PM »

I should probably re-read my posts before I hit submit. The bit about squib loads due to temp was about H110/W296, not 2400. I have read that h110 or w296 has the possibility of not igniting completely, causing squibs, under certain circumstances. My guess is that those circumstances were caused by the operator, whether it be downloading, using a standard primer or whatever. If H110 is reliable in super cold temps, please let me know. I have read many of your posts, Greybeard, and have developed a great deal of respect for your knowledge and experience and would like to thank you for creating a place where I could ask questions like this and not be tarred and feathered.

It is between 2400 and H110.

Thanks,
Matt

Sweetwater · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2009, 06:49:57 PM »

Got my first can of W296 back in the early 80's, and my 10th can of 2400.

Eastern Maine was my hunting/shooting field and temps ran from -20F to 90+F. Recall staying home if hotter or colder than that. LOL - Never had a squib load with any 357mag, or anything else.

The two big deals with W296 was the necessity to use a mag primer and a heavy crimp. Both conditions were to insure proper ignition. Today, W296 and H110 are filled from the same pile of powder.

Some manuals still show a difference in data for W296 and H110. I cannot explain that as it is a non-issue to me. 15 manuals will show 15 different sets of data. So we deal with it and sort it all out to where it makes a certain amount of sense.
Manuals are great guides, BUT they are not Bibles! Use them accordingly.

If I were using it, any 357mag load to be used in sub-freezing temps would wear a mag primer.

Stay safe and have fun.

Regards,
Sweetwater

Graybeard · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2009, 12:21:01 AM »

Living in the south really cold temps are something I have little experience with. BUT I've yet to hear of a validated experience from anyone anywhere at any temperature with H110/W296. It's something magazine writers love to talk about for who knows what reason.

Most powders we've all used for our entire lifes are no more or less temperature sensitive than H110/W296. What that really means mostly is that if you work up loads in winter to absolute maximum or even push beyond it and then shoot them in the heat of summer in 100 degree or higher temps you might have a problem with pressure being too high. This I have personally experienced with W760 in a 7-08.

I'm quite sure any "squip loads" or failure to fire were due to contamination in the case not due to the fact it was a ball powder or any other temperature sensitive powder for that matter. I'd just not worry about it if I were you. Magnum primers really are pretty much the norm for ball powders and with them I just can't imagine problems in any temps you're likely to actually be out in.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:01:55 AM »

Here in Kentucky temp vary a lot,-5 today >30 tommarow 70 next week, I almost always use H110 in my .357 and I have never had a squib load or a failure of any kind. H110/296 has been the best load in my .357 for years.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:28:56 AM »

For 40 years I've used H-110 & 2400 for all my 357 Mag hunting loads. Never had a problem with either in all kinds of weather conditions here in VT. I always use Mag. Primers in 357 & 44 Mag hunting loads with these two powders. Both powders are very accurate, but I have had the best overall accuracy with 2400. This is with both jacketed & cast bullets. My 2 best go to hunting revolvers are an Old 3 screw 6 1/2" Ruger & a S&W 586 in 6".

Oldtimer · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:44:50 AM »

Welcome to reloading! Especially for beginners I recommend powders that pretty much fill the case. The idea is to prevent double or even triple charging. The worst thing I ever had happen out of a compressed load was that the bullet backed out due to the pressure on the powder. A double charge can give you a lesson on the effectiveness of shrapnel that you will hope to forget.

A factor in cold weather squib loads is primer strike. If the strike is too weak, then ignition will be inconsistent. This is usually the result of the libricating oil in the weapon congealing. So then, squib loads are a matter of lubrication, not powder choice. A dry lubricant or even none at all will work better in cold weather.

As for powders, either 2400 or 296/110 are good, but the 296/110 will give higher velocity. Remember, it is not the last 100 feet of velocity that kills, but bullet placement. Whichever you use, shoot a lot of it in practice, from field positions, and you won't have to worry about every last f/s.

Matt3357 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:12:49 AM »

Thanks everyone for your replies, I've learned a lot from this post. I will use 2400 for its ability to download and use standard primers for right now. I have been reloading 223 and 38spl for about 6 months now with no issues and will be glad to add 357 to my list. Thanks everyone who participated. I will probably be back when and if I try H110.

thanks,
Matt

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2009, 03:11:56 PM »

After you get into loading the 357, get a jar of LilGun from Hodgdon. I don't load lighter bullets than 158's, and that powder is about as perfect a powder for the 357 as you can find. I use to load nothing but H-110 in all mag pistol cartridges, but use alot more of the LilGun now than H-110, maybe 4 to 1 ratio. Don't forget yer ear plugs!

DP

Matt3357 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:55:19 PM »

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks dpe.ahoy

Matt

jhalcott · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2009, 06:36:06 PM »

The ONLY failure to ignite with H110 I have ACTUALLY seen was with a .44 magnum. The bullet DID get out of the barrel but most of the powder burned in the Silohouette shooters pants cuff. Evidence showed MANY of his rounds had NOT been crimped. Seeing thousands of rounds using H110/296 fired in LOTS of revolvers and only one doing this makes me certain it was the reloaders fault by NOT crimping the cases!

Mikey · « **Reply #20 on:** June 25, 2009, 01:10:04 AM »

"The bit about squib loads due to temp was about H110/W296, not 2400. I have read that h110 or w296 has the possibility of not igniting completely, causing squibs, under certain circumstances".

These must be circumstances I have never heard of or ever witnessed. I have shot silhouette and hunted with H110/WW296, and 2400 during the worst of weather. 32 below 0 degrees farenheight, with wind chill, on a silhouette range with the box of bullets sitting in the snowbank or stuck to a tree while sitting near frozen in a tree stand never affected any of the loads I have used with those powders.

Graybeard is right - you have been given a lot of misinformation. Winchester has some of the best factory loads on the market and you can duplicate those loads with your bullet of choice and Winchester powders. Good luck.