What is the lightest load of H110?

[Naphtali]

For use in large frame Ruger Blackhawks and Freedom Arms Model 97s, what is the lightest load of H110 that is safe when handloading Redding #454 (300-grain SWCGC) cast with WW + 2 air dropped/cooled? So long as bullets use the crimp groove, Blackhawks and 97s can use identical reloads equally well.

[NSB]

Every reloading manual I've ever seen doesn't recommend reduced charges of H110/WW296. This powder is erratic at reduced loadings. Just follow the numbers given in your book.

[high standard 40]

The Lyman 4th edition cast bullet manual lists a 300 gr Lyman 429650 and H110. The minimum listed load for that combination is 17.7 gr. for velocity of 976 fps and 37,900 C.U.P. Tested from a universal receiver and 4" barrel.

[nagantguy]

Stay with what the manuals say;H110 while a great powder for the big boys is finicky and does not do well reduced.

[DougGuy]

Exactly. Do NOT download this powder. If you want less snort than H110, 2400 and LilGun both download quite well.

One more thing to consider, the boolit you mention needs SPIN to stabilize. Trying to make that boolit into a target load will be a waste of time and materials. Drive it fairly hard if you want any degree of accuracy.

Now, you are back at not needing to download H110 at all!

[derek45]

H110 works best at max loads, with a FRIM crimp, and magnum primers.

What caliber are you asking about, 45LC ?

Sounds like you need a can on UNIQUE

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

45 colt I assume? ...if so? then I wouldn't do it.

but if it's a 454 Casull, 24.7gr is the lowest I'd go. that's 1318fps and 32.9K CUP per Lyman.

[RPRNY]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Also, see high standard's post #3 above.

[Naphtali]

Model 97 kind've gives it away that the cartridge is heavily loaded 45 Colt rather than 454 Casull.

I realize that load flexibility with H110 is small. Since Redding's bullet is not among those listed by Hodgdon's I was soliciting information from those using the bullet in 45 Colt with H110. I have used such loads for years in FA 97s, but not near the bottom of safe loading - I don't think. I'm uncomfortable using loading information for use with jacketed 300-grain bullets. And the only bullet I load in 45 Colt is the Redding with H110. I'm just trying to identify how much flexibility I have. Oh yeah, having more than 20 pounds of H110 on hand, zero interest in changing powder. Interest is in amount flexibility.

Sorry I have been imprecise.

[Leadmelter]

H110/WW296 are for max or near max loads. It needs a 90% minimum loading density, CCI-350 mag primers and a firm crimp. Do all that and you have some smoking loads that will not hurt you pistol.
Leadmelter
MI

[DougGuy]

Oh yeah, having more than 20 pounds of H110 on hand, zero interest in changing powder.

With that much H110 why even the need to download?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP...

I'm uncomfortable using loading information for use with jacketed 300-grain bullets. And the only bullet I load in 45 Colt is the Redding with H110. I'm just trying to identify how much flexibility I have.
I have 2 comments for you.

one, I think jacketed bullet data is you best friend for the load info you seek.

two, flexibility? I don't think you have much, But I recently had a discussion with another member who thinks I'm wrong in what I believe about H110. If you've narrowed yourself to use your 20 lbs of H110 and have zero interest in anything else, Maybe it's time to call Hodgdon and ask them what they meant when they warned not to reduce their H110 load data by more than 3% in their older manuals (including their 2011 manual).

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?351022-Questions-about-H110

[nvbirdman]

This forum has a swapping and selling section. Maybe somebody close to you would be willing to trade Unique or 2400 or some other powder for H110.

[RPRNY]

High Standard gave you the Lyman data above for 300 grs cast at 17 grs H110. Sounds light to me, but Lyman know a lit more than I do. Hodgdon give 21.8 as the start for 300 grs jacketed and 21.0 for 325 grs cast. So, your flexibility appears to be between 21grs and 17 grs. Personally, I would make 18 grs my floor.

[HangFireW8]

H110/WW296 are for max or near max loads. It needs a 90% minimum loading density, CCI-350 mag primers and a firm crimp. Do all that and you have some smoking loads that will not hurt you pistol.
Leadmelter
MI

Do you have a reputable source for that 90% "rule"? This was just discussed in another thread.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

High Standard gave you the Lyman data above for 300 grs cast at 17 grs H110. Sounds light to me, but Lyman know a lit more than I do. Hodgdon give 21.8 as the start for 300 grs jacketed and 21.0 for 325 grs cast. So, your flexibility appears to be between 21grs and 17 grs. Personally, I would make 18 grs my floor.

Highstandard's data doesn't mention for what caliber, but he lists a Lyman mold number 429650, so I suspect his data wasn't for 45 colt. I can only assume Highstandard meant his data for the 44 Mag. But, if my search for info about the Mod 97 is correct (which I previously knew nothing about), the 97 not only didn't come in 454 Casul, it also didn't come in 44 Mag.

[high standard 40]

I did indeed reference data for a 44 Mag as signified by the 429650 bullet in my previous post. My Lyman manual does not list "Ruger only" data for the 45 Long Colt. The only such Ruger specific data I can find is for jacketed bullets of 300 grains for the Colt. The lightest load suggested is 21.1 grains of H110 with jacketed 300 gr and a CCI magnum primer. This data is from the Speer #12 manual and uses their bullet. The 44 Mag and 45 Colt data would not be the same with an equal weight bullet because of the larger bore volume on the 45. So this kinda puts the OP out there on his own.

[adcoch1]

When you said the safe minimum, the snarky side wanted to resond with "0 grains!" But truthfully h110 isn't a good download powder. I had some erratic accuracy at starting loads in 44 mag with h110. Middle of the road to max loads work great for me. 90% load sounds about right, but a call to hodgdon is probably the only good way to get a definite answer. Good luck!

[44MAG#1]

There is load data that goes down as much as 10 percent with some calibers. GENERALLY, again, GENERALLY the heavier the bullet the more you can go down.