I bought a S$W model 60 in 357 and want to handload some 38's as well as the 357's. The only pistol powder I have is H110 and can not find any load data for it in a 38. Is H110 too slow to use or does someone have a starting load for it?

H110 will work great for 357mag loads, but you'll need something faster for 38sp loads.

Way too slow, especially in a short 2" bbl. I would try any powder in this range. FWIW, H110 is #49 on the burn rate chart.
13 Alliant Green Dot
14 IMR, Co Trial Boss
15 Winchester Super Handicap
16 Hodgdon INTERNATIONAL2495BR
17 IMR, Co PB
18 Vihtavouri N320
19 Winchester WST
20 Accurate Arms No. 2
21 IMR, Co SR 7625
22 Hodgdon HP-38
23 Winchester 231
24 Alliant 20/28
25 Alliant Unique
26 Hodgdon UNIVERSAL
27 Alliant Power Pistol
28 Vihtavouri N330
29 Alliant Herco
30 Winchester WSF

quote:

Originally posted by michael.tx:
H110 will work great for 357mag loads, but you'll need something faster for 38sp loads.

I've reloaded 38 spec.with 110 and successfully stuck bullets in the revolver barrel. Works great in a rifle.
In a revolver when the bullet leaves the cylinder and enters the barrel the pressure and temperature drop and the flaming powder residue escapes through the gap between the cylinder and barrel. The bullet does not travel very far after that.
In a rifle the same load sees all the powder burn nicely. roger

www.ammoguide shows ZERO loads for .38Spcl using H-110. fredj338 shows plenty using other powders. Choose wisely...

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by michael.tx:
H110 will work great for 357mag loads, but you'll need something faster for 38sp loads.

I've reloaded 38 spec.with 110 and successfully stuck bullets in the revolver barrel. Works great in a rifle.
In a revolver when the bullet leaves the cylinder and enters the barrel the pressure and temperature drop and the flaming powder residue escapes through the gap between the cylinder and barrel. The bullet does not travel very far after that.
In a rifle the same load sees all the powder burn nicely. roger

I respectfully call BS on H110/W296 not being for pistols.

I've shot a fair bit of H110 in my .41 rem mag. It is a pretty hot powder and one of the best for highest velocity. You can go to the handgun forum and see that a bunch of guys shoot it in their big bore revolvers for best performance. I've not heard of it used in a .38 spl, and I'm not saying it'd be great for one, but H100/ W296 is a GREAT magnum pistol powder.

For the OP, I'd say that it is too slow for what you want. Unique is probably the most common powder used for your purpose IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by michael.tx:
H110 will work great for 357mag loads, but you'll need something faster for 38sp loads.

I've reloaded 38 spec.with 110 and successfully stuck bullets in the revolver barrel. Works great in a rifle.
In a revolver when the bullet leaves the cylinder and enters the barrel the pressure and temperature drop and the flaming powder residue escapes through the gap between the cylinder and barrel. The bullet does not travel very far after that.
In a rifle the same load sees all the powder burn nicely. roger

I respectfully call BS on H110/W296 not being for pistols.

I've shot a fair bit of H110 in my .41 rem mag. It is a pretty hot powder and one of the best for highest velocity. You can go to the handgun forum and see that a bunch of guys shoot it in their big bore revolvers for best performance. I've not heard of it used in a .38 spl, and I'm not saying it'd be great for one, but H100/ W296 is a GREAT magnum pistol powder.

For the OP, I'd say that it is too slow for what you want. Unique is probably the most common powder used for your purpose IMHO.

I believe Bartche's comments regarding H110 in a rifle was only directed towards 38 special loads he had tried.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by michael.tx:
H110 will work great for 357mag loads, but you'll need something faster for 38sp loads.

I've reloaded 38 spec.with 110 and successfully stuck bullets in the revolver barrel. Works great in a rifle.
In a revolver when the bullet leaves the cylinder and enters the barrel the pressure and temperature drop and the flaming powder residue escapes through the gap between the cylinder and barrel. The bullet does not travel very far after that.
In a rifle the same load sees all the powder burn nicely. roger

I respectfully call BS on H110/W296 not being for pistols.

I'm glad it was said "respectfully" roger

quote:

I've reloaded 38 spec.with 110 and successfully stuck bullets in the revolver barrel. Works great in a rifle.
In a revolver when the bullet leaves the cylinder and enters the barrel the pressure and temperature drop and the flaming powder residue escapes through the gap between the cylinder and barrel. The bullet does not travel very far after that.
In a rifle the same load sees all the powder burn nicely. roger

I wasn't trying to start a , but that statement rang false to me. Your statement sounds to me like all powders in a revolver (not just H110) do no good after the bullet leaves the cylinder. This is not true. Maybe you didn't mean it as I took it, just as I certainly didn't mean my reply to sound like I was being a jackass. Sorry if you took it that way. Should I have said nothing and possibly let some people think that one of the best revolver powders out there wasn't good for revolvers? Still wouldn't use it in a .38 spl. but damn sure give it a try in the magnums.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
I wasn't trying to start a , but that statement rang false to me.

No foul taken. I could have and should have expressed myself better. Do you live anywhere near Saint Martinville? roger

I live on the other side of Lafayette from St. Martinville, about 30 minutes away. Neat little town. Have you been there?

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
I live on the other side of Lafayette from St. Martinville, about 30 minutes away. Neat little town. Have you been there?

A deceased good Army buddy of mine was from there; Hardy Theriot.

I have burned many pounds of H110/W296/WC820 in many different cal. revolvers from .32-20 to .45 Colt and have never had any real problems. It works best at pressures that are a too high for the standard .38 spl but if they are fired in a .357 there shouldn't be a problem. Just don't run them thru your J frame airweight. I believe the powder is at its best with heavy for cal. cast bullets operating at max. allowable pressures. This powder with 160-180 gr. cast bullets will get about all that can be had out of a .357.
If you like this powder keep your eyes open for surplus WC820. I buy the stuff in 8# jugs and it is usually a bargain.
C.G.B.

My favorite 38 special load is W 231. Pretty clean and very accurate.

Thanks for the input. I finally found a can of unique at Cabela's. I'll keep the H110 for the 41 mag and use the unique for the 38 and 357.
Happy hunting.

mustbhuntn, wise move!

I back up what bartsche and some others have said about H-110 not being a good powder for short barreled .38 SPLs and .357 Mags.!

clays is another great load for 38s. Around 3 grains is light recoil, pleasent to shoot and pretty accurate. I know many SASS shooters that use clays and unique in loads about that weight.

H110 is excellent in 6" 357 mag guns.

38 special , Alliant Unique 5.3gr, 158 gr cast lswc gives me 790 fps out of M60 2" Start low work up, this is a maximum loading for me as the bullet drops from the mould on the heavy side of 158 gr.