Howdy!! Nice forum you have here. This is my first post here.

I have a new 50th Anniversary 357 Flattop with 4.5 inch barrel that I want to use for deer hunting. This weekend I tried some Remington 180JHP with 13.5 gr of H110. It chronod at 1030 fps. I was a bit dissapointed with the velocity. Hodgdon lists 13.5 as max with 180JHP and states velocity of 1396 with a 10 inch barrel (who uses a 10 incher anyway??).

I am interested in Beartooths 185 flat nose. Marshall states it is good for deer at 1200fps. How do you get that speed? I have read many posts here with 16 gr H110 and this bullet. I understand the cast bullet will have less friction than jacketed, but 16 gr is way more than the Hodgdon books' 13.5 gr.

I read Marshalls' article about how to work up a H110 load. Gradually increase powder and watch velocity and extreme spread. Is this really safe? Couldn't you end up way over the pressure limits? But does that matter? I guess if the chamber is not stretching it should be safe. I guess brass will stick in a K frame at lower pressure than it would in a heavier gun, right? How much can my small frame Ruger take?? Is that something I can figure out?

Any guidance you can give is appreciated. I would like to get that cast flatpoint up to 1200.

Welcome. With H110 and some of the other slow powders, you just have to work your way up. They do vary a bit from lot to lot, and primers and a firm crimp can make a difference. Yeah I'm loading 16 grains of 296 with Federal small pistol magnum primers, to get that sort of speed.

One thing, you might run a comparable factory load through the gun, like the Federal CastCore 180gr. bullet, to see what should be expected of your gun.

I'd just work up a bit at a time. The Beartooth 185gr. FNGC is the one you want.....

The 10" barrel is probably an unvented, read that as non-revolver, barrel...like shooting from a TC Contender...or in this instance a solid breech pressure receiver with a pressure barrel.

I would suggest you do as MikeG says and try a box of the Federal loads and work your BTB 185's up to a similar level, keeping any eye out for pressure signs.

I use that load in a 6" S&W Highway Patrolman. It's a heavy gun and isn't strained at all. It's also worn some and needs the rather nasty WSPM magnum primer to make 1200 fps. W296 has a reputation for varying more than most from lot to lot, so take your time working up.

Bye
Jack

Thanks for the feedback!!

I like the idea of working up to a known good factory load. I looked at the Federal Cast Core. Their website lists it as 1060 fps muzzle velocity. That really does not sound like a good goal to aim for.

I have often heard things like sticking cases and flattened primers indicate high pressure. However, I read an article by John Linebaugh that says pressures can be too high and these signs still not show. Are there other signs to go by??

My view on H-110 and WW-296 is that they are both good slow burning powders for use in the .357 magnum. Much attention must be given to case preperation to make them work well. With a six inch " or longer" barre, these powder will sing! It is tough for me to get them to perform with a short barrel.
Cheezywan

4 5/8" barrel is a bit too short for good burn on H110.

Tightgroup, PowerPistol, or Universal work a bit better. IMHO

4 5/8" barrel is a bit too short for good burn on H110.

Tightgroup, PowerPistol, or Universal work a bit better. IMHO
Devers
Have you ever tried any Alliant 2400 in a 4" barrel pistol? How do you think it would do using a 158 grain bullet?
Cary

I've got a 4 inch barrel 41 mag that makes the best velocity with V V N110. It is a little faster than H110/Win296, very similar to 2400. It also gets the highest velocity in my 6 inch 357 Mag. Great accuracy too.

Ive managed to get 1300 fps from a 4 inch 686 with a 187 grain fngc from CP. That was with a listed load of AA#9. The load was in an article by J. Taffin that was recommended for heavy frame guns only. Seemed hot and I wouldnt use too many.

You might look into Lil'Gun powder. Looks promising for heavy bullets.

I don't handload for my 357 yet, but unless you have a specific energy level per state hunting regulation that you must meet, I don't think that a deer would notice the difference between 1200 fps and 1060 fps with that BearTooth Bullet if its put in the right spot...

TedH,

I bought some VV N110 for my 357 and 44 mag loads.. Ya mind listing what load is working for you??

Thanks

TedH,

I bought some VV N110 for my 357 and 44 mag loads.. Ya mind listing what load is working for you??

Thanks
Sure, no problem.
In the 357 I use RP brass, small RIFLE primers{thats what VihtaVuori uses in their load data} 15.3 grs N-110 with a 158 gr Hornady XTP. Velocity from my 6" revolver is 1360. Accuracy is better than I can usually shoot with iron sights, about 1 inch at 25 yards. I also use 14.0 grains with a Lyman 155 gr swc gas checked bullet with the same result.

In the 41 Mag I use WW brass, standard primers, 20.0 grs N-110 with the 210 gr Hornady XTP. I shoot these out of a 4" Taurus Ti Tracker. With that small gun that weighs a mere 24 ounces, it is hard to shoot small groups consistantly with that load, the recoil is nasty. The gun is capable if the shooter is. My plinker load is a Lyman 210 swc gas checked bullet with a light charge of Unique for about 1000 fps. Much more comfortable to shoot.

Not been able to better than H110/296 in the 44 Mag loads though, but it is a good performer there too. It seems to do better with 240 gr. and under bullets. With the heavy bullets 296 has a definite edge. You can get the VihtaVuori loading manual off their website too. I think they have changed some of the max loads in the latest edition. Some differ from my 2002 paper copy.

Good luck, Ted