Handgun reloading

[hardpan]

All,
I load a lot of rifle, but am just getting into handguns. Will be loading for

.44 Mag

.357 Mag

.40 s+W

Any suggestions on powders and primers? For bullets, 180 gr for the .44. 150-165 gr for the .40 and not sure about hte .357.

the .40 is for self defense.
the .44 is a backup for hogs, elk and bear (rarely bear)
the .357 is a combo (son's guns)
thanks in advance,
Hardpan

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I've had very good luck with the 158gr Noslers in my .357 Mag.
14gr 2400
CCI mag primers.

I've just started loading for the 44mag.
H110 and W297 are my powders of choice in this application.
I'll let you know when I have something to report.

 

[Richracer1]

For the 44, look at H110, W296, 2400, Unique, Longshot. I have personnally used H110, 2400, Unique and Longshot for various reasons. I use Win Large Mag Pistol primers.

 

[JD338]

hardpan

Of the calibers mentioned, I only load for the 44 Mag. The 180 gr bullet is pretty light for the game you are after. I would consider 240 gr or my favorite, the 250 gr PT.
MAX loads of H110 powder and CCI mag primers works well for me.

250 gr PT 21.0 grs H110

240 gr JHP 23.8 grs H110

Remember to start low and work up.

JD338

 

[big rifle man]

I've loaded a lot of .44's and 357's and concour with 296 or H110 with a 240 or 250 grain bullet in the .44. For the .357 I've found that Blue Dot works great and burns clean with a 140 grain XTP. 296 or H110 would also work great. Accuracy with the Blue Dot is excellent.

 

[1Shot]

For the 357 mag this load has shot very well in about every revolver I have ever tried it in.
16.3 grs H110 or WW 296 they are the same powder, CCI 550 primer, Sierra,Remington, Hornady XTP or Speer gold dot 158 gr bullet. Use a good roll crimp. This is the suggested hunting load from the Sierra manual and is listed as a Max load.

This is a good mild target load for the 357 mag.
4.8 grs Bullseye, CCI 500 primer, 158 gr LSWC.

If I was going to depend on a 44 mag in bear country it would be loaded with this load. It is powerful.
21.6 grs WW 296 or H-110 they are the same powder, CCI 350 primer, Sierra 300 gr JSP

 

[Ol` Joe]

I only load the 357 & 44 mag, I`ve no experiance with the 40 cal at all.
I agree with the others, H110/W296 is the powder I use most in my loads for both. Unique does a good job if you are loading midrange plinking or cast lead loads.

 

[Divernhunter]

H-110 for mag loads in the 454casull, 44 and 357. The 180 in the 44 is a bit light especially for hogs. I have had excellent results with the 200grHP(nosler of hornady) bullet and 29.9grs of H-110 BUT that is a very hot load and works in encore/rugers but not most S&W. I would suggest a max of 28 grains and work up to it. Something else when loading H-110 or Win 296 DO NOT drop below the starting loads as that can cause a spike in pressures. I have taken ground squirrels/yokes/muscrats/ deer and a bear with the 200gr load and it would probably work on hogs. A better load for hogs would be the nosler 250gr PAR bullet with a max load of H-110.
I do not load for the 40 yet. I use unigue and Hi-Skor700-X for mild/mid range loads in 44 and 357. Also use them in 45acp

 

[GB300wm]

hardpan, I do load for a 40 s&w. I have a 4" service model springfield and I have very good results with Bluedot. I'm loading 7.5 grains bluedot with a 180 grain bullet and getting 980 fps with great accuracy. I've loaded bluedot with the 9mm and decided to try it with the 40. It works and is fast and accurate. :grin:

 

[ptk]

.44 Mag: The only issue I have with this caliber is the large volume case makes me extra wary of double charges in the medium to light loads. Otherwise, enjoy the wide range of components supported. I like a full load of IMR 4227 with a 300 grain Sierra JSP for walking in the woods, and IMR Trail Boss with a 240 grain lead semi-wadcutter for plinking.

.357 Mag: Sorry, never loaded for it (or even shot it!).

.40 S&W: This one is much more advanced in safety requirements. A small case volume and relatively high operating pressure (for a semi) combine to make this more sensitive than many calibers to small changes in charge, oal, and components. Also be careful of overstretched brass not holding bullets firmly: they can get seated dangerously deeper on chambering. Please be very careful when working up loads. I only use new brass for full power loads. That said, I really like a full power load of Blue Dot pushing a Hornady 155 grain XTP for self-defense (practice). It functions well in my 3" barrel. Used brass gets a lighter load of Power Pistol with a 155 grain Oregon Trail RNSWC. I believe the first load is from the current Hornady manual, and the latter from older Alliant online data (before the went to all Speer bullets). All cartridges are checked with a minimum chamber gauge. IMR 800-X performs very well in this caliber, but meters so poorly I feel obliged to weigh every charge, so I quit. For a given velocity, it operates at a lower pressure than other powders I have looked into, so it may be okay to start with, when you are proceeding slowly and carefully. But then what will you do with the remaining 14 ozs of 800-X in your cannister ?

Sorry, I have none of my charge weights at hand here. And apologies to our Nosler hosts for naming those other brands. I do use a lot of Nosler rifle bullets.

Good luck!

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

PTK
No need to be sorry for naming what works for you!

 

[hubcap]

Another vote for H-110 in the 357 mag. I,m using this powder for 180 nosler HG bullets and 158 grain sierra bullets. No complaints.

 

[cold_hunter]

I load for the 44 and 357. Ill tell you this 180gr bullets are to light for the game you are looking for. I once shot a whitetail deer at close range, hit it 4 times with 180 gr bullets, they made dinner plate sized holes and no penetration. I never found the deer, and in all my hunting i have never seen a blood bath like that. So pick a big long bullet for your game and fill your case with H110 and call it a day.

 

[HeathSexton]

I load 2400 in both my .357 with 158's and .44 with 240's. H110 was good, but I like 2400 better.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Last weekend I took out my .44 mag Vaquero.
I shot 2400, WC820 (like H110) and W297 (non-canister bulk powder like w296) My best group was with the W296, 5 shots in 2 1/2" at 25 yards.
This was with Winchester brass, and CCI mag pistol primers.

 

[Bob in TX]

357 Some options

125 gr. Hornady XTP/Speer Gold Dot
H4227=18.5gr. (20 gr. Max)
HS-6 =10.5gr. (10.9 Max)1580fps.
Titegroup=7.4gr. (7.5 Max) Velocity=1475 fps.

158 gr. XTP/Gold Dot
LOADED OVERALL LENTGH=1.580
H-110=16.0 gr. (16.7gr. Max)
Velocity=1550 fps.

40 S&W

155 gr. Speer Gold Dot/XTP
COL=1.125
BC-.123
Titegroup-5.9grs. (5.9 gr. max)
1100 fps.

 

[BK]

hardpan, I do load for a 40 s&w. I have a 4" service model springfield and I have very good results with Bluedot. I'm loading 7.5 grains bluedot with a 180 grain bullet and getting 980 fps with great accuracy. I've loaded bluedot with the 9mm and decided to try it with the 40. It works and is fast and accurate. :grin:

How cleanly does Blue Dot burn? For some reason, I was under the impression that it was kinda dirty, but I think I may be confusing it with Unique in .45 Colt (though I have no idea why).