2400 357 Magnum loads

Bullet Weight & Type you are asking about??

rc

That is a good load, I shoot it regularly. It is a full power load, for "plinking" I load 14 grains of 2400.

2400 will deffinitely get you full tilt loads. But H110 is a dedicated powder for such. The difference being that 2400 requires pushing it to it's limits, H110 or 296 will get you there with little to no work up.

I like 2400 for mid to upper end mid range loads. When I'm want full power house loads I always turn to H110 / 296.

GS

Magnum or standard primers?

2400 works fine with standard primers. I have tested both standard and magnum primers in several powders and I have found that with 2400 you get good velocity with both but accuracy is better with standard primers. Also the extreme spread is much worse with magnum primers which I believe negatively affects accuracy. 2400 is one of my two favorites powders for 357 magnum, Accurate #7 being the other.

I usually load 14.5gr of 2400 under any 158gr bullet. I cant comment as to why, but when working up loads of cast or jacketed 158gr bullets, its where I always end up.

I used to use 2400 in my 2 1/2" Model-19. I LOVED the three foot long sheet of flame that came out of the barrel. It was impressive even in bright sunlight.

I usually load 14.5gr of 2400 under any 158gr bullet. I cant comment as to why, but when working up loads of cast or jacketed 158gr bullets, its where I always end up.

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I have had a similar experience with 158 lead swc bullets. Although I made up a batch of 15.2 gr 2400 which were more accurate. I felt like I might be pushing them too hard, though. But still under the Lyman max I believe.

2400 is supposed to be used with standard primers, unless other wise indicated in the published data.

GS

gamestalker said:

2400 is supposed to be used with standard primers, unless other wise indicated in the published data.

GS

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Just curious; when do you find that "2400 is supposed to be used with standard primers"?

And, regarding published data, when you reload do you make sure that:

1. The bullet is the same as published data.

2. The primer is the same brand and type as published data.

3. The powder is the same as published data (the obvious answer to this one is yes).

4. The case head stamp is the same as in published data.

5. The COAL is the same as published data.

6. The chamber, throat, bore, barrel twist, etc. of the gun your reloads are to be fired in are the same as published data.

Just curious; when do you find that "2400 is supposed to be used with standard primers"?

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This goes all the way back to E.K., who did a bit of work with this powder. And, magnum primers are a fairly recent development, brought about only by the introduction of hard to ignite ball powders. So, 2400 does not need magnum primers and they are generally not recommended for it.

Don

Just curious; when do you find that "2400 is supposed to be used with standard primers"?

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Allow me to offer a current example. I believe it's Speer Reloading #13 or 14? That manual calls for standard primers when using their data for 2400 and the .357 magnum loadings.

I have not loaded w/ 2400 yet but, I do have a pound of it on the shelf. Looking at the alliant website they used ccI500's for all of the loads they have listed.

_N4Z_ said:

Allow me to offer a current example. I believe it's Speer Reloading #13 or 14? That manual calls for standard primers when using their data for 2400 and the .357 magnum loadings.

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Just because a manual lists a certain primer with a certain powder doesn't mean that you're then "supposed" to always use said combination. I could give you many examples of contradictory loading manual information.

So tell me, what do you see to be the possible consequences of using magnum primers with 2400?

I almost never suggest straying from published data but in this case, 2400 should be used with a standard primer even if the published recipe lists a magnum primer. This is especially true in the .357 Magnum.

I'm also in the 14.5gr of 2400 w/158gr lead bullet camp. It's a time tested load that doesn't exceed the max charge and pressure limits for the .357 Magnum. (with a CCI-500 SPP)

So tell me, what do you see to be the possible consequences of using magnum primers with 2400?

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Inconsistent ES (extreme spread) in velocity.
Possible pressure spikes with max loads.

Allen Jones, the long time Speer ballistician and reloading manual editor went on record in Handlader magazine saying they used Mag primers with all Magnum caliber powders just to provide a "worst case" pressure scenario in published data.

Because they knew folks would use mag primers in Magnum calibers anyway, just because it said Mag primers on the box.
But not in the reloading manual.

He further revised the Speer manual data at one point, after it was pointed out by Brian Pearce in Handlader magazine that Mag primers & 2400 were a bad combination giving inconstant pressure and accuracy results.

rc

I have had pierced and cratered primers with 13.6 grs of 2400 lit by CCI 550 magnum primers behind Speer 158gr JHP's during work up but never any pressure signs with a 14.0gr load using CCI500 standard primers.

14.0 grs of 2400 behind a 158gr Remington JSP lit by a CCI500 primers in Remington cases chrono'd at 1,243 fps average from my S&W 4" model 66. This is pretty much right on where the major companies load their 158gr JSP/JHP bullets at as their ballistic charts show a velocity of 1,235 fps for Remington, Winchester, CCI with Federals at 1,242 fps from a 4" vented test barrel. Never felt any cause to go any hotter.

Grumulkin said:

So tell me, what do you see to be the possible consequences of using magnum primers with 2400?

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It has been many yrs. ago when using 2400 (at LISTED max, 22.0 grs. as I recall) in 44 mag loads that I experanced sticking cases! Couldn't understand why as it was supposed to be a standard max with 2400. Changed to standard primers and every thing improved! Accuracy got much better and no more sticking cases.
My results with 2400 has been better when compared to 296, accuracy is better but recoil seems to be more abrupt.

I have had pierced and cratered primers with 13.6 grs of 2400 lit by CCI 550 magnum primers behind Speer 158gr JHP's during work up but never any pressure signs with a 14.0gr load using CCI500 standard primers.

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I have experienced the same with Accurate #9, using CCI 500 I had over pressure signs at 12.2gr with a 158gr jhp. I added another grain of powder and all was good and things got better at 13.8gr ish in my Ruger SS w/a 2.75 barrel

Grumulkin -

Just because a manual lists a certain primer with a certain powder doesn't mean that you're then "supposed" to always use said combination. I could give you many examples of contradictory loading manual information.

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You asked for an instance of when standard primers are called for with 2400.
Do you remember doing that??
Grumulkin -

Just curious; when do you find that "2400 is supposed to be used with standard primers"?

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So I gave you an example that I know of that calls for standard primers. I didn't tell you you were supposed to do anything. Use whatever manual you prefer.

Matter of fact, this isn't even your thread. You trolling?

I used to use 2400 in my 2 1/2" Model-19. I LOVED the three foot long sheet of flame that came out of the barrel. It was impressive even in bright sunlight.

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I have taken a break from 2400, I've been using Accurate #7 and #9. I was at Bi-mart they had bullets and powder $2 off so I picked up a lb of 2400. Yesterday was the 1st time I shot 2400 through my Ruger Sec Six w/a 2.75" barrel, Wow what a flame
I loaded 14.2 and 14.5gr with a Nosler 158gr JHP with CCI 500, the accuracy was very good but I'm a bit concerned with the fire ball it didn't seem all that bad from a 4 and 6" barrel and now that I have gotten accustomed to lower flash powders this was very enlightening.

weird dbl post

Also the extreme spread is much worse with magnum primers which I believe negatively affects accuracy.

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Perhaps that varies by gun???

My experience has been just the opposite.
Charge = 16.0 gr of 2400 with a 125 gr JHP

When I tried standard primers (CCI & Tula)
My ES & SD were all over the map.
On 8.25.2012
ES - 267
SD - 74
Using CCI 500s

Changed to Fed Sm pistol Magnum on 9.27.2012
ES - 60
SD - 17