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Posted: 5/6/2021 3:55:03 PM EDT
A few months ago I loaded some 357 Magnum with 7.4 grains of Winchester 244, magnum primers and 125gr JHP from Dillon reloading. They pushed an average of 1,215 fps out of my S&W model 686-1 handgun.
Yesterday I sourced one lb of Winchester 296. I've now loaded a sampling of 18 rounds with 21 grains of W296, magnum primers and the same 125gr Dillon JHP. I hope to put these downrange tomorrow. Per the Hodgdon/Winchester website these should go 1,881 fps out of a 10" barrel. How fast will my 4" barreled S&W 686 launch these? I noted that 21 grains fill up the case with no room to spare. Will these shoot as expected or will the gun blow up in my hand? 
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Posted: 5/6/2021 4:10:50 PM EDT
[#1]
I have no problem at all with 21.3gr of 296; my preferred load.
With either 125gr XTP or Rem sjhp |
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Posted: 5/6/2021 4:11:29 PM EDT
[#2]
I've used a lot of it in my GP100 over the 30 years I've owned it.
I use the 158gr JHP WW296 load right out of the old Winchester reloading pamphlet you used to get at gun shows 30 years ago. |
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Posted: 5/6/2021 4:43:37 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I just seems like a lot of powder in the case, but it should be fun to shoot.
Edit to add photo of handgun.  Attached File |
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Posted: 5/6/2021 5:26:22 PM EDT
[#4]
Start a string below your 21gr charge.
If you show signs of pressure before 21gr then don’t shoot them. Maybe start at 20gr? Load one at: 1. 20gr 2. 20.3gr 3. 20.6gr 4. 20.8gr 5. Now shoot your 21gr loads. It costs ya what? 81.7gr or powder, 4 casings, 4 bullets and 4 primers just to make sure. |
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Posted: 5/6/2021 6:15:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted: A few months ago I loaded some 357 Magnum with 7.4 grains of Winchester 244, magnum primers and 125gr JHP from Dillon reloading. They pushed an average of 1,215 fps out of my S&W model 686-1 handgun. Yesterday I sourced one lb of Winchester 296. I've now loaded a sampling of 18 rounds with 21 grains of W296, magnum primers and the same 125gr Dillon JHP. I hope to put these downrange tomorrow. Per the Hodgdon/Winchester website these should go 1,881 fps out of a 10" barrel. How fast will my 4" barreled S&W 686 launch these? I noted that 21 grains fill up the case with no room to spare. Will these shoot as expected or will the gun blow up in my hand? Hodgdon lists 21gr as the starting load for a 125 gr jacketed .357 using W296. That’s where I’d start. |
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Posted: 5/6/2021 7:00:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Back in the day, I shot a lot of 296/125 grain bullets, with loads just slightly lighter than what is being discussed here.
Great results, both in velocity and accuracy. I have fired several 100 yard 8" groups from a 4" barrel Model 13, (Yes, I stopped that practice). That was with 28 year old eyes, however. If velocity is your goal, 296 is a good answer. |
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Posted: 5/6/2021 10:28:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Powder puff compared to 26.5 grains behind a 250 from a Ruger single action 45 Colt
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Posted: 5/6/2021 10:38:42 PM EDT
[#8]
You'll get a nice fireball with 296 and that length of barrel as well.
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Posted: 5/6/2021 10:39:14 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted: A few months ago I loaded some 357 Magnum with 7.4 grains of Winchester 244, magnum primers and 125gr JHP from Dillon reloading. They pushed an average of 1,215 fps out of my S&W model 686-1 handgun. Yesterday I sourced one lb of Winchester 296. I've now loaded a sampling of 18 rounds with 21 grains of W296, magnum primers and the same 125gr Dillon JHP. I hope to put these downrange tomorrow. Per the Hodgdon/Winchester website these should go 1,881 fps out of a 10" barrel. How fast will my 4" barreled S&W 686 launch these? I noted that 21 grains fill up the case with no room to spare. Will these shoot as expected or will the gun blow up in my hand? |
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Posted: 5/7/2021 7:32:00 AM EDT
[#10]
I used to shoot a similar load of 296 out of a 4" K frame. It is pretty loud. I would not shoot many of those loads out of a K frame now due to concern over cracking the forcing cone, but no such worries in an L frame or Ruger.
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Posted: 5/7/2021 8:13:00 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks for the vote of confidence. I just seems like a lot of powder in the case, but it should be fun to shoot. Edit to add photo of handgun. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263131/14E25DD9-4F7E-4F88-BC5B-69A5E1C035C4_jpe-1932458.JPG W296 loads are typically filling or almost filling the case. And yes, there will be no question when you light these off of "Am I shooting a .38 or am I shooting a .357?" 
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Posted: 5/7/2021 10:02:29 AM EDT
[#12]
I had to go look for current data. I recall that there was one load for 125gr JHP and 296 in the Winchester printed data book and it said "do not reduce".
Something seems to have changed, or I am not remembering correctly. I will dig up my printed data as soon as I have time. This is from the RDC copy/pasta from right now: 
I have a bunch of them loaded up and out of a 4" 686 or a 4 3/4" Vaquero, they make quite the fireball and will easily clear out neighbors shooting next to you at the indoor range. 
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Posted: 5/7/2021 4:59:26 PM EDT
[#13]
use a firm roll crimp
i’ve been shooting 22gr win296/H110 with 125gr for decades this is what magnum shooting ia all about wear ear plugs and ear muffs 
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Posted: 5/7/2021 5:46:31 PM EDT
[#14]
I recall that there was one load for 125gr JHP and 296 in the Winchester printed data book and it said "do not reduce". If my memory is working correctly, there was a Winchester reloading pamphlet which had the "do not reduce" warning on all the different bullet weights. Some people seem to think that a reduced charge of 296 results in increased pressures. I think that is wrong. The problem is that a reduced load may not fully ignite and leave a bullet stuck in the barrel. The next shot could be bad news indeed. I have shot some light 296 .45 Colt loads with data from one of the bullet makers. Yes, I finally stuck a bullet in the barrel. So I don't reduce 296 loads any more. If you want a lighter load, choose a faster powder. |
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Posted: 5/7/2021 8:07:47 PM EDT
[#15]
If you get a report like a close thunderclap and a fireball the size of a soccer ball, I think that you can be assured that the bullet has left the barrel.
I highly recommend that magnum primers be used with 296/H110! |
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Posted: 5/7/2021 9:24:38 PM EDT
[#16]
My understanding is that 296/H110 needs a full case for proper burn characteristics. I haven’t loaded .357 for a very long time but the Speer #14 says slow burning powders operate most efficiently at relatively high pressures and cautions against light loads.
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Posted: 5/7/2021 10:13:23 PM EDT
[#17]
 
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Posted: 5/8/2021 8:08:23 AM EDT
[#18]
I load Hornady 125gr XTP on top of 21.5grs H110/W296.
From 4" GP100, gets immediate attention at range. And rings 10" steel plate at 100yds all day long. |
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Posted: 5/8/2021 11:13:35 AM EDT
[#19]
Thank you for all the positive input. I'm now feeling more confident to pull the trigger (no pun intended) on this new load, but haven't yet had the chance to do so. The photo of the fireball looks exciting!
I did load these with CCC small pistol magnum primers with the 21gr W296 under the 125gr JHP projectiles. But I only have 32 more 125gr JHP projectiles so will be shopping for a few more. Next time, depending on how well these function, I may step it up to 21.5gr of the W296. I'll have to get my friend to record a slo-mo video of a shot or two. A side note: The rounds loaded with 7.4gr of W244 varied 27 fps comparing magnum primers to standard primers. 1,215 vs 1,188 (an average of 5 & 4 rounds). But they shot just fine, so going forward I'll probably use the standard SPP for the W244 loads. |
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Posted: 5/8/2021 12:09:47 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thank you for all the positive input. I'm now feeling more confident to pull the trigger (no pun intended) on this new load, but haven't yet had the chance to do so. The photo of the fireball looks exciting! I did load these with CCC small pistol magnum primers with the 21gr W296 under the 125gr JHP projectiles. But I only have 32 more 125gr JHP projectiles so will be shopping for a few more. Next time, depending on how well these function, I may step it up to 21.5gr of the W296. I'll have to get my friend to record a slo-mo video of a shot or two. A side note: The rounds loaded with 7.4gr of W244 varied 27 fps comparing magnum primers to standard primers. 1,215 vs 1,188 (an average of 5 & 4 rounds). But they shot just fine, so going forward I'll probably use the standard SPP for the W244 loads. The first time I worked with W296/H110 I spent a bit of time recalibrating my scales after throwing the first charge and seeing how much of the case it filled. I couldn't believe the case volume it consumed. |
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Posted: 5/8/2021 12:19:40 PM EDT
[#21]
The first time I worked with W296/H110 I spent a bit of time recalibrating my scales after throwing the first charge and seeing how much of the case it filled. I couldn't believe the case volume it consumed. Give Blue Dot a try. Compressed loads look scary the first time around. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 7:18:42 AM EDT
[#22]
FWIW- when loading compressed charges of H110/W296, I do all steps on progressive except crimping.
I let the nearly complete rounds sit for a while, shaking container a few times to help settle powder. Then I run the rounds back through seating die to get consistent OAL and immediately apply roll crimp with Lee FCD. Does it make a difference? Probably not much, but it gives me peace of mind. And hard to argue against my process when other shooters stop shooting to watch me ringing steel at 100yds with a 4.2" GP100. |
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Posted: 5/12/2021 11:14:22 AM EDT
[#23]
Yesterday I shot at the local range. These loads provide a really big bang and recoil and surprisingly they're pretty accurate too. At 6 yards I can keep most shots within the 3" circle. I shot all 18 rounds and chronographed 4 with an average of 1,495 FPS. The low was 1,475 and high 1,507.
I know for most of you 6 yards isn't very challenging, I may extend the distance the next time I go out. But I'm pretty happy with this. I think I'll try 21.5 grains the next time, and probably settle there as my standard load. |
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Posted: 5/12/2021 1:24:09 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yesterday I shot at the local range. These loads provide a really big bang and recoil and surprisingly they're pretty accurate too. At 6 yards I can keep most shots within the 3" circle. I shot all 18 rounds and chronographed 4 with an average of 1,495 FPS. The low was 1,475 and high 1,507. I know for most of you 6 yards isn't very challenging, I may extend the distance the next time I go out. But I'm pretty happy with this. I think I'll try 21.5 grains the next time, and probably settle there as my standard load. Outstanding 
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Posted: 5/12/2021 6:28:55 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yesterday I shot at the local range. These loads provide a really big bang and recoil and surprisingly they're pretty accurate too. At 6 yards I can keep most shots within the 3" circle. I shot all 18 rounds and chronographed 4 with an average of 1,495 FPS. The low was 1,475 and high 1,507. I know for most of you 6 yards isn't very challenging, I may extend the distance the next time I go out. But I'm pretty happy with this. I think I'll try 21.5 grains the next time, and probably settle there as my standard load. 6 yards? You're lucky you didn't catch your target on fire. Glad you had fun and your new loads worked out. |
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Posted: 5/17/2021 1:02:42 PM EDT
[#26]
It's interesting that the rounds loaded with 7.4gr of W244 have flatter primers than those loaded with 21gr of W296. In the photo those with black marks are W244 and those with red marks are W296. It seems the W296 being a slower burning powder spreads out the bang, or something like that.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 5/17/2021 2:01:00 PM EDT
[#27]
Now imagine shooting it in a dark hallway at 2am with no ear pro on
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Posted: 5/17/2021 2:22:59 PM EDT
[#28]
Huh, what’d you say?
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Posted: 5/17/2021 8:44:04 PM EDT
[#29]
The best part about touching off some w296/125gr loads is the nice shockwave. At the indoor range, it makes people stop what they are doing and take a look at what you are shooting. My 8" Dan Wesson loves 296 and can shoot it all day. Enjoy shooting some real magnum loads.
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Posted: 5/21/2021 11:27:20 PM EDT
[#30]
I have yet to shoot the light stuff with my 357 mag but use W296 for my 180 gr war hammer boolite.
The recoil not that bad but it's not traveling the 1,500 to 1,900 FPS like the 125gr. Still almost 1,400 FPS with a 180gr is not that bad also. |
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Posted: 7/2/2021 10:48:09 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have no problem at all with 21.3gr of 296; my preferred load. With either 125gr XTP or Rem sjhp @GySgt_D What made you decide 21.3gr under 125gr JHP as your optimum load? I'm ready to load some more and thought I'd try 21.5gr. |
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Posted: 7/2/2021 12:13:25 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @GySgt_D What made you decide 12.3gr as your optimum load? I'm ready to load some more and thought I'd try 21.5gr. I found that 21.0 grs worked great for me in several Security Sixes and a GP 100. Case is very full of H-110 (same powder as W-296) and found that I would get a lot of spilled powder if I loaded these on my SDB. My old 357 thread, https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/My-357-loading-project-Lots-of-pics-/42-389445/ Some of the pics got ate by photochump. But several of the case fill pics made it. edit to make link hot. |
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Posted: 7/2/2021 12:22:39 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've used a lot of it in my GP100 over the 30 years I've owned it. I use the 158gr JHP WW296 load right out of the old Winchester reloading pamphlet you used to get at gun shows 30 years ago. I use 16.2 W296 with RMR 158gr LSWC, shoots nice out of the 6" GP100, it's fiesty out of the 4" Security Six. |
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Posted: 7/2/2021 12:35:47 PM EDT
[#34]
I'm hotlinking dryflash3's link as it has good info and pretty pictures too.
 Linky I had 33 more of the Dillon/Win 125gr JHP and today loaded them with 21.5gr of W296. Will probably make em go bang sometime next week.  Attached File |
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Posted: 7/2/2021 2:26:13 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm hotlinking dryflash3's link as it has good info and pretty pictures. Linky I had 33 more of the Dillon 125gr JHP and today loaded them with 21.5gr of W296. Will probably make em go bang sometime next week. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263131/9BC9F728-AC81-4199-B13A-16D54F83E2C6_jpe-1999252.JPG |
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Posted: 7/4/2021 12:08:27 PM EDT
[#36]
Glad to see they worked out good for you as I just picked up a pound of H110 and 300 125gr XTPs. Loaded up several at 21gr to try but haven't had a chance to get to the range yet. I'll be putting them thru a 4" GP100 as well.
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Posted: 7/4/2021 1:28:17 PM EDT
[#37]
I've been loading 22gr with a 125JHP since the 1980's
L-frame 586 and 686 love em....also GP100 I don't use these in the old K-frames  
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Posted: 7/7/2021 12:23:06 PM EDT
[#38]
I once worked up to the maximum load using 296 with 110gr HP bullets. Lots of boom and flash.
What was most surprising was the accuracy. They shot as good as anything I ever loaded for it. :) Motor |
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Posted: 7/8/2021 1:30:03 PM EDT
[#39]
I fired some of these out of a friend's 2 inch 8 shot revolver last weekend. It was a blast.
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Posted: 7/9/2021 11:46:52 AM EDT
[#40]
Finally got to try out my reloads with 21gr H110 under 125gr XTPs. They shot great and that huge fireball put a smile on everyone who shot it. Came straight back home and loaded up 200 more.
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