Henry Big Boy 357 Bullet Choice

[JEBar]

we push them with 14.8 gr of W296 or 15.9 gr of H110

????? WW296 and H110 are the same powder. This comes straight from Hodgdon. I think Phil was the first to pass on this info some time ago. Granted there may be differences from one lot to the next as there is with any powder but they are the same powder. I've never seen a lot to lot difference that varied more than about 3 tenths of a grain in comparability.

understood on W296 & H110 .... I too have long heard that they are identical powders .... all I can tell you is the recommendation on the powder charge comes directly from Nosler's Volume 8 loading manual .... when it comes to loading manuals, Nosler is .... I've read that MEC powder bushing charts also recommend different charges but have no personal knowledge on it .... to me that says either something has changed or recent testing has found something new

[Old Syko]

we push them with 14.8 gr of W296 or 15.9 gr of H110

????? WW296 and H110 are the same powder. This comes straight from Hodgdon. I think Phil was the first to pass on this info some time ago. Granted there may be differences from one lot to the next as there is with any powder but they are the same powder. I've never seen a lot to lot difference that varied more than about 3 tenths of a grain in comparability.

understood on W296 & H110 .... I too have long heard that they are identical powders .... all I can tell you is the recommendation on the powder charge comes directly from Nosler's Volume 8 loading manual .... when it comes to loading manuals, Nosler is .... I've read that MEC powder bushing charts also recommend different charges but have no personal knowledge on it .... to me that says either something has changed or recent testing has found something new

There are lot to lot variations in all powders as we all know but I will say that one thing I learned a long time ago is to not accept data from a single source. What you are getting by doing so is data that was created under different circumstances than you can duplicate. I never load anything without averaging out the data from at least 3 sources. I've found that one source being from the bullet manufacturer, one from the powder distributor, and a third from an independent party such as Lyman give the most reliable outcome. I also never rely on any data from the ole interwebs unless it is acknowledged by written sources. In the case of 296 and 110 since Hodgdon is the distributor for both I sent them an email many years ago to confirm. Phil Hodgdon himself confirmed this as fact. Different testing equipment and guns themselves are what give us the variation in data we have to come to terms with. As a test, chrono some identical middle of the road loads side by side in the same gun but with powder from each and see what the results are. At one time I had access to pressure testing equipment and was able to make similar comparisons between WW296 and H110 and we also tested WW760 and H414 and found them to be the same. Even printed data is only a rough guide and if not viewed as such can cause a shooter to have a bad day. This is why we start low and work up and a good chrono is invaluable since most of the signs recognized as overpressure in the past are now known to be merely old wives tales. Happy loading. But be careful.

[JEBar]

one should most certainly use reliable loading data .... I started loading my own ammo back in 1965 and that fact has remained constant over time .... there is certainly nothing wrong with using multiple sources for that data .... for the last 55 years I've used Nosler's for every load that they offer data and only seek out another source if they do not .... doing so has served us well and I don't foresee making any changes

[Old Syko]

Elmer Keith went a lifetime loading by the seat of his pants. His theory was, if the gun didn't come apart the pressure wasn't too high. He did blow up a few but luckily never received any major personal damage. I started loading in 1967 and have compared multiple sources of data before loading from the beginning. Just like you, I won't be making any changes either and it's what I pass on to everyone I mentor.

[Rcwill]

First, thanks everyone for the warm welcome to the forum and the great advice. So I took my other Henry BB 357 (no Scope) to the range tonight. Shot lead, coated, and plated and lo and behold...tight groups. Must just be my other henry’s Barrel just doesn’t like lead. So plated and jacketed it is for that one. I have a box of Zero jacketed 158s due to be delivered tomorrow. Going to slug both barrels and see if there is a noticeable difference.

[JEBar]

I have a box of Zero jacketed 158s due to be delivered tomorrow.

looking forward to hearing your assessment after loading and firing some of the Zero bullets

[Rcwill]

Well, thanks all for the advice on Zero bullets. Finally was able to load some up and get to the range. Problem solved...it is now my go to bullet. 5-shot groups at 50 yards. I’m happy!

[Mags]

.
nice!

Well, thanks all for the advice on Zero bullets. Finally was able to load some up and get to the range. Problem solved...it is now my go to bullet. 5-shot groups at 50 yards. I’m happy!

[JEBar]

Well, thanks all for the advice on Zero bullets .... it is now my go to bullet. 5-shot groups at 50 yards. I’m happy!

outstanding .... per Hannibal, I love it when a plan comes together!

[Rifletom]

Dang! That is some good shooting. Glad things worked out. Are those Zero's jacketed or...? Thanks.
BTW, have you tried that BE-86 yet? I like it in .357.