best 357 mag powder for cold weather

[throttletony]

Hi all - the title says it all.
I'm looking for a 357 magnum powder that is less affected by cold temps.
Any input of primer selection would also be welcome (I currently fave some Federal and some Win small magnum primers).

This is in preparation for camping/hiking next winter (with as a sidearm). Assuming temps of 0-40.

 

[17 squirrel]

I've always just used 296 or 4227 along with Fed Mag Primers.

 

[bocefus78]

x2 on 4227. I hunt deer with it (w/44mag) in the cold and have never had an issue. It is allegedly less temp sensitive than 296/110

 

[throttletony]

I've always just used 296 or 4227 along with Fed Mag Primers.

x2 on 4227. I hunt deer with it (w/44mag) in the cold and have never had an issue. It is allegedly less temp sensitive than 296/110

THanks, this is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Leo]

ACCURATE # 9 has never failed me.

 

[Que]

I use H110 with SPP and have not had any issues.

 

[bulletsmith]

I've used 296 for years as well. No temperature issues that I have ever noticed.

 

[rg1]

My pick would be Accurate Arms #9. I think Win 296/H110 would do fine in cold weather with magnum primers and good heavy bullet crimps. Accurate Arms data available on-line. Accurate #9 does fine with only a standard primer but a mag primer is used in Accurate Arms #2 Manual data. Their 1st edition manual tested all loads with standard primers.

 

[throttletony]

thanks, all

 

[Sniper 79]

4227 is where it is at

 

[straight-shooter]

Alliant 2400 user here... clean and consistent.

 

[jgressley2003]

Alliant 2400 user here... clean and consistent.

That's good to know, I always thought Alliant powders had a reputation for being on the dirty side, but accurate.

 

[oldpink]

I don't reload .357 Magnum, but the powder of choice for my .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk and Marlin 1894 is a maximum charge of H110 fired by a CCI large pistol primer.
I've fired thousands of rounds so loaded, both in hot weather and very cold (at or below zero), and I haven't had a single failure to fire of any sort.
The only two caveats about loading with H110 (aka Winchester 296) is that you're much better off using magnum primers with it, and you should never reduce the charge any more than 10% below maximum.
It meters well through a measure, it burns reasonably cleanly, and it's just about impossible to match the muzzle velocity it can produce out of .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt (not in Colt SAA or replicas!) if you really want performance.

 

[17 squirrel]

Alliant 2400 user here... clean and consistent.

I would not agree with that, with shorter barrel lenghts and magnum loads it is very dirty..

 

[straight-shooter]

I would not agree with that, with shorter barrel lenghts and magnum loads it is very dirty..

I've never used it in a snubby. Only a 4 & 6 inch S&W and have nothing but good experiences with it.

 

[throttletony]

I don't reload .357 Magnum, but the powder of choice for my .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk and Marlin 1894 is a maximum charge of H110 fired by a CCI large pistol primer.
I've fired thousands of rounds so loaded, both in hot weather and very cold (at or below zero), and I haven't had a single failure to fire of any sort.
The only two caveats about loading with H110 (aka Winchester 296) is that you're much better off using magnum primers with it, and you should never reduce the charge any more than 10% below maximum.
It meters well through a measure, it burns reasonably cleanly, and it's just about impossible to match the muzzle velocity it can produce out of .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt (not in Colt SAA or replicas!) if you really want performance.

OK, so
1 - Magnum primers (check!)
2 - Are you saying to use full/stout loads with 296/H110? Closer to max is better than trying a minimum/unerpowered load?

thanks.

 

[17 squirrel]

Rule of thumb,, slower burning powder in most cases does not do well when loaded undercharged.. In a handgun the pressures can easily climb into rifle pressures and with that handguns tend to come apart..
Personal knowledge along with a Dillon 450 and its manual powder measure loading a compressed load of 2400 ( one round had a short charge ) and a 240 grain cast bullet ( Keith Load ) and I destroyed a Super Blackhawk..
If someone wants to PM me a email address and I will send pics of said pistol and you can post them. I can't with my phone..

 

[oldpink]

Yep, what Squirrel said.
He personally sent me the photos of a revolver that got destroyed by an undercharge of slow powder.
I believe that revolver is kept under the counter of Crackshot Guns (good shop that I've patronized a few times personally) in Anderson now.

 

[throttletony]

Great info yall.
THanks

 

[17 squirrel]

Yep, what Squirrel said.
He personally sent me the photos of a revolver that got destroyed by an undercharge of slow powder.
I believe that revolver is kept under the counter of Crackshot Guns (good shop that I've patronized a few times personally) in Anderson now.

The owner of Crackshot is a friend of mine, I loaned Mike my Ruger to put in his blownup case for close to 20 years. He recently sold his business and has retired.
The pistol is back in my hands again as of a year ago or so..

Pink if you want to post a pic or two I don't care.. Reading about a short charge and seeing what can happen are two different things.
It's quite impressive..