JonB
Halcyon member
I am planning to load some full-house 357 Mag loads (1600+ fps) for the NOE 358-128-SWC (plain base) cast with a strong alloy and actual weight is 130gr.
I would like some input from our seasoned pistol ammo loaders if you have experience with Hodgdon HS7 and Vihtavuori N110?
I have a few lbs of each in my stash, I have never used either flavor before. I'd think either one might work well for this application, but there isn't a great amount of data from my usual trusted sources. Below is the data I was able to find
======================================
Here is what I found for HS7:
Lyman 49th
120gr Lead RN (linotype alloy) mold 356242
Start 10gr 1050fps
Max 13.2gr 1436fps
Lee Manual 2nd ed.
125gr jacketed
start 11.5gr 1511fps
MAX 12.5gr 1604fps
Nick Harvey's reloading Manual (I really like this manual because he "independently" developed his own data)
110gr JSP
start 12gr 1570fps
MAX 13gr 1650fps
=====================================
Here is what I found for v-N110:
Lee Manual 2nd ed.
124gr Lead (COAL-1.614)
start 15.7gr 1546fps
MAX 17.4gr-c 1699fps
Lee Manual 2nd ed.
145gr Lead
start 14.0gr-c 1475fps
MAX 15.3gr-c 1591fps
Lyman 49th
150gr Lead (linotype alloy)mold 358477
start 13.2gr 1152fps
MAX 14.7gr 1374fps
Gun-Guides "reloading guide for 357 Mag Revolvers"
I rarely use these little blue booklets you see at gunshows, but I do have a few and this one had Vihtavuori data, also they credit Vihtavuori and other powder manufacturers in the forward
124gr LSWC Intercast (COAL-1.614)
start 17.1gr 1673fps
MAX 18.7gr 1813fps
I included COAL because it matches the Lee data for 124gr and it's a specific unique length, as I suspect Lee got this data from Vihtavuori, but it's interesting that the charges and speed is different
Vihtavuori website
They don't list the 124gr LSWC for some reason, but they have a couple Jacketed loads that are fairly similar.
125gr JHP, Sierra (COAL-1.575)
start 16.3gr 1783fps
MAX 18.5gr-c 1811fps
================================================== ===
So after comparing all these charges and knowing my target is around 1600fps or a bit more,
I have extrapolated that if I use HS7, I'll start at 11.0gr and work up to 12.5gr.
OR
If I use v-N110, I "might" start at 15.0gr and work up. But first I need to investigate case capacity, especially since I suspect N110 prefers a full case much like H110...of course I do not know that, I only suspect it from the narrow data on Vihtavuori's website.
If anyone knows for sure about N110, please make a specific comment, because they don't go into much detail on their website.
https://www.vihtavuori.com/powder/n110-rifle-powder/
Also, since the HS7 data is really slim, what are you all using HS7 for?
Thanks for any info you feel like adding.
I would like some input from our seasoned pistol ammo loaders if you have experience with Hodgdon HS7 and Vihtavuori N110?
I have a few lbs of each in my stash, I have never used either flavor before. I'd think either one might work well for this application, but there isn't a great amount of data from my usual trusted sources. Below is the data I was able to find
======================================
Here is what I found for HS7:
Lyman 49th
120gr Lead RN (linotype alloy) mold 356242
Start 10gr 1050fps
Max 13.2gr 1436fps
Lee Manual 2nd ed.
125gr jacketed
start 11.5gr 1511fps
MAX 12.5gr 1604fps
Nick Harvey's reloading Manual (I really like this manual because he "independently" developed his own data)
110gr JSP
start 12gr 1570fps
MAX 13gr 1650fps
=====================================
Here is what I found for v-N110:
Lee Manual 2nd ed.
124gr Lead (COAL-1.614)
start 15.7gr 1546fps
MAX 17.4gr-c 1699fps
Lee Manual 2nd ed.
145gr Lead
start 14.0gr-c 1475fps
MAX 15.3gr-c 1591fps
Lyman 49th
150gr Lead (linotype alloy)mold 358477
start 13.2gr 1152fps
MAX 14.7gr 1374fps
Gun-Guides "reloading guide for 357 Mag Revolvers"
I rarely use these little blue booklets you see at gunshows, but I do have a few and this one had Vihtavuori data, also they credit Vihtavuori and other powder manufacturers in the forward
124gr LSWC Intercast (COAL-1.614)
start 17.1gr 1673fps
MAX 18.7gr 1813fps
I included COAL because it matches the Lee data for 124gr and it's a specific unique length, as I suspect Lee got this data from Vihtavuori, but it's interesting that the charges and speed is different
Vihtavuori website
They don't list the 124gr LSWC for some reason, but they have a couple Jacketed loads that are fairly similar.
125gr JHP, Sierra (COAL-1.575)
start 16.3gr 1783fps
MAX 18.5gr-c 1811fps
================================================== ===
So after comparing all these charges and knowing my target is around 1600fps or a bit more,
I have extrapolated that if I use HS7, I'll start at 11.0gr and work up to 12.5gr.
OR
If I use v-N110, I "might" start at 15.0gr and work up. But first I need to investigate case capacity, especially since I suspect N110 prefers a full case much like H110...of course I do not know that, I only suspect it from the narrow data on Vihtavuori's website.
If anyone knows for sure about N110, please make a specific comment, because they don't go into much detail on their website.
https://www.vihtavuori.com/powder/n110-rifle-powder/
Also, since the HS7 data is really slim, what are you all using HS7 for?
Thanks for any info you feel like adding.