Quick question. Loaded up some 357 max with H110 and 180gr XTP . I used the cantilure closer to the base to give a longer COL and put the bullet closer to the lands. Started at 20gr powder and loaded up 10 rounds each at increasing increments. What I noticed is that there is a good bit of space in the casing. I put 24 grains in a case and mesure just to see. Even with 24 grains in there is a little extra space. I know that H110 doesnt like a lot of empty space. Will 20gr still be safe with the bullet seated in the cantilure closer to the base or will it create a pressure spike from too much empty room?
H110 in 357 Max empty space in case
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20.3gr is the max load of H110 according to Hodgdon, runs at near max SAAMI pressure 40kpsi/48kcup, space is irrelevant considering the start load is 17.5gr which would have an even lower load density, you're not loading with black powder which can't have space. 
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I'm shooting 21.0 of H110 with a 180 XTP. I'm seated in the top groove because mine aren't double grooved. I've weighed several and there are 180 gr. I'm getting 1975 fps. No crimp. No pressure signs. I've shot 19.0, 20.0, 21.0 so far. At 19.0 I had vertical stringing. At 20.0 and 21.0 it went horizontal but tightened up. Going to reshoot with a better scope when weather allows.
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You did not list your AOL.
I used Quickload (QL) and estimated an AOL of 2.03 based on a fill of 99.6% at 24 gr of H110.
I then dropped back to 20 gr and found a fill of 83% and QL predicted 1858 fps at 32.1 ksi.
As a warning, based on the Hodgdon test data, QL seems to be underestimating pressure by as much as 3,000 psi for these loads (assuming their 47000 cup is close to the current published limit for the 357 max, 40000 psi). I also do not know if you are shooting a cast iron SB1 or the steel SB2, so you need to understand what you are doing before you try to using anything in this post.
I seem to recall getting more consistent ignition at something like 85% to 90% fill.
Just in case you want to try dropping back to the 1.980" AOL used in the Hodgdon load data I also ran that length:
I used Quickload (QL) and estimated an AOL of 2.03 based on a fill of 99.6% at 24 gr of H110.
I then dropped back to 20 gr and found a fill of 83% and QL predicted 1858 fps at 32.1 ksi.
As a warning, based on the Hodgdon test data, QL seems to be underestimating pressure by as much as 3,000 psi for these loads (assuming their 47000 cup is close to the current published limit for the 357 max, 40000 psi). I also do not know if you are shooting a cast iron SB1 or the steel SB2, so you need to understand what you are doing before you try to using anything in this post.
I seem to recall getting more consistent ignition at something like 85% to 90% fill.
Code:
Cartridge : .357 Maximum (SAAMI)
Bullet : .357, 180, Hornady HP/XTP 35771
Useable Case Capaci: 24.365 grain H2O = 1.582 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.030 inch = 51.56 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H110
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-04.8 83 20.00 1858 1380 32132 3002 96.6 1.322
-04.3 83 20.10 1867 1393 32598 3015 96.8 1.314
-03.8 84 20.20 1875 1405 33071 3028 96.9 1.306
-03.3 84 20.30 1884 1418 33550 3041 97.1 1.298
-02.9 85 20.40 1892 1431 34036 3054 97.2 1.291 ! Near Maximum !
-02.4 85 20.50 1900 1443 34528 3066 97.3 1.283 ! Near Maximum !
-01.9 85 20.60 1909 1456 35028 3079 97.5 1.275 ! Near Maximum !
-01.4 86 20.70 1917 1469 35534 3091 97.6 1.268 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 86 20.80 1925 1481 36048 3103 97.7 1.260 ! Near Maximum !
-00.5 87 20.90 1933 1494 36568 3115 97.8 1.253 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 87 21.00 1942 1507 37096 3126 98.0 1.245 ! Near Maximum !
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 87 21.00 2028 1644 44897 3042 100.0 1.159 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 87 21.00 1824 1330 29688 3061 92.1 1.361Just in case you want to try dropping back to the 1.980" AOL used in the Hodgdon load data I also ran that length:
Code:
Cartridge : .357 Maximum (SAAMI)
Bullet : .357, 180, Hornady HP/XTP 35771
Useable Case Capaci: 23.098 grain H2O = 1.500 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.980 inch = 50.29 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H110
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-04.9 84 19.30 1829 1338 31873 2869 96.0 1.334
-04.4 85 19.40 1838 1350 32360 2882 96.2 1.326
-03.9 85 19.50 1847 1363 32853 2896 96.3 1.317
-03.4 86 19.60 1855 1376 33354 2909 96.5 1.309
-03.0 86 19.70 1864 1389 33862 2922 96.6 1.301
-02.5 87 19.80 1873 1402 34378 2935 96.8 1.293 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 87 19.90 1881 1414 34902 2947 96.9 1.285 ! Near Maximum !
-01.5 88 20.00 1890 1427 35433 2960 97.1 1.277 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 88 20.10 1898 1440 35972 2972 97.2 1.269 ! Near Maximum !
-00.5 88 20.20 1907 1453 36519 2984 97.4 1.261 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 89 20.30 1916 1467 37075 2996 97.5 1.253 ! Near Maximum !
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 89 20.30 2003 1604 45002 2928 99.9 1.166 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 89 20.30 1797 1290 29577 2921 91.3 1.371Thanks for all the good info. I will mesure an acurate COL when I get back home to my real calipers and post it up.
Also it is the stronger of the two frames. Sorry if forget which is which. But it was a rifle frame from a .270 I sent in and had the 357 barrel fitted to back when they were still doing that.
Also it is the stronger of the two frames. Sorry if forget which is which. But it was a rifle frame from a .270 I sent in and had the 357 barrel fitted to back when they were still doing that.
With the stronger frame, your gun has lots of margin.
I do not like the 40 ksi rating on the 357 max because a reloader can not really detect when his loads go above this value. Sticky extraction and ugly primers are not effective in this case.
Lots of reloaders for the 357 max are willing to go above the SAAMI rating. This is not a big deal in a Contender, Encore, CVA single shot or Handy SB2. These guns are safe for the 223 that runs 55 ksi. The early revolvers were also darn stout, but I do not think were really understand their limits as well as the 4 guns listed above. I think some of my IHMSA ammo with a 200 gr bullet and WW296 may have run close to 50 ksi. They just seemed to shoot better the hotter I was willing to go. Probably due to the increase in fill percentage.
I am reluctant to post QL output for the 357 max much above the SAAMI rating. I would be more willing to share this kind of info via PM.
I do not like the 40 ksi rating on the 357 max because a reloader can not really detect when his loads go above this value. Sticky extraction and ugly primers are not effective in this case.
Lots of reloaders for the 357 max are willing to go above the SAAMI rating. This is not a big deal in a Contender, Encore, CVA single shot or Handy SB2. These guns are safe for the 223 that runs 55 ksi. The early revolvers were also darn stout, but I do not think were really understand their limits as well as the 4 guns listed above. I think some of my IHMSA ammo with a 200 gr bullet and WW296 may have run close to 50 ksi. They just seemed to shoot better the hotter I was willing to go. Probably due to the increase in fill percentage.
I am reluctant to post QL output for the 357 max much above the SAAMI rating. I would be more willing to share this kind of info via PM.
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I have a 1982 handi in 357 max. Would it be an SB1 or 2?
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If it's original it's an SB1. I also have a 1982 factory Maxi, it's the nickel finish.
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Mine is blued. So what would be max of H110 in the older SB1?
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Pop the stock off, if the back of the reciever is solid it's an SB1. From what I've found 21.0 of H110 is max with a 180 gr bullet. I have shot 19.0, 20.0, and 21.0 in mine with no pressure signs. Some guys load hotter but I wouldn't do it on an SB1 frame.
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Neither, SB designation didn't exist until NEF started production in 1987, all single barrel frames prior were ductile cast iron similar to SB1.
Tim
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