2400 powder

It's my "anti-bear" powder for when I go hiking in bear country (.357 Mag.).

2400 can also be used in 158 gr+ .38 Special pretty effectively. Like with the other magnum powders though, longer barrels in 38 Special are better, and it makes a great .38 Special carbine load.

I have not used 2400 since the early 1980's when it was still a Hercules powder. It worked well in 357 Magnum, the only cartridge I used it in at the time. But, it would leave a fair amount of unburned kernels of powder in the case.

I prefer W296 in the 357 Magnum these days as well as a number of other cartridges.

2400 has the advantage of working well when down loaded some, but I prefer powders like Unique or Accurate #5 if I'm loading mid-range loads.

Lots of folks like 2400, it is a good powder that has been around for a long time.

I'd use 2400 as a back-up, if needed. Definitely a better choice than IMR4227 for my purposes.

Ive used 2400 since the 1980s in my 357 RBH and still do!
I ran out one time and this thread put me onto 4227. I got excellent results with it also. The only issue I found with 4227 were the residual kernels left behind if you were not staying in the upper range of the powder loads. These kernels would get under my GP 100 extractor plate and lock the revolver up.
Both are excellent 357 powders, but today with shooting less jacketed and almost exclusively boolits, I use way more Unique.

I started my reloading with 2400 in .357 Magnum, many years ago, still keep/have it on the shelf!

I like 2400 and AA#9 for 357,41,44 and 500 Magnum..

Thewelshm

2400 is simply superb in 357 and 44 Mag and can be down loaded without a magnum primer. And nothing booms quite like it.
In 1935, 2400 and the new 357 Mag were found to be the perfect match and still are.

Walkalong said:

I used it for Supers with pulled 147s. AA #9 works for this as well.

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I haven't gotten around to any supers yet. Someday maybe.

The reason I asked is, I had worked up loads for a 230 gr cast, using 300-MP and 2400. In 300-MP, I was right in the zone and stopped at 9.6 gr. But some silly reason, my start loads with 2400 was 10.0 gr. After shooting a few, I realized they were in the super range. And primers were flatter than normal with subs. So 40 some bullets got pulled.

Mosin77 said:

Is it very popular and sells fast, or so old school they hardly make it anymore?

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Yes.

Mr_Flintstone said:

and it makes a great .38 Special carbine load.

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Do tell...

Where can I find the data for these carbine loads? I've got an 1866 repro and a pound of 2400 looking for a use.

Mac

MacAR said:

Do tell...

Where can I find the data for these carbine loads? I've got an 1866 repro and a pound of 2400 looking for a use.

Mac

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It’s out there floating around. Here is something from Alliant (2000) to get you started. The data isn’t that impressive from the 5” revolver barrels, but the long rifle barrel and slower burn rate make a good 38 Special carbine load.

Mr_Flintstone said:

Here is something from Alliant (2000) to get you started.

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Thanks!

Mac

MacAR said:

Thanks!

Mac

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From Lyman #48. Lyman #44 says you can go up to 11 gr, but I’d be careful with that in a 38 special only gun.

I've been using 2400 for decades for .357 mag and .45 Colt. A few months back I started loading some reduced recoil loads in .30-06 for the Grandsons. Works well for a lot of what I use.

The bottom line for me is that it is a thoroughly understood powder with no real bad habits, so if a fellow is looking for "typical" results from things like the .357 and .44 Magnums, 2400 is a great way to get it.

When/if this current "crisis" passes, I am going to lay in a few dozen pounds of Unique and a few dozen more of 2400. With an ample supply of lead and primers, I suspect that will see me through the rest of my days.

I use it mostly for reduced rifle loads, particularly in milsurps.

I just ordered another 8 pounds from Powder Valley.

My go to for my moderately heavy loads in 357, 44 M, 45 Colt, plus some cast bullet loads in several rifle cartridges. 410 loaders use it too. I've been using it since I could no longer get H240 for my Hornet fifty years ago.

Mr_Flintstone said:

From Lyman #48.

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I've printed this one off and will add it to my collection of notes. I like 158gr JSP/JHPs out of my revolvers and think they'd make a fine hunting round out of the carbine. Thanks again bud!

Mac

I bought 4 lbs of it around 01/2020 a few months before everyone freaked out over covid. I use it for 30 Carbine. Not optimal but serviceable. I used to load it for .357 and it never failed me with std small pistol primers.

MacAR said:

I've printed this one off and will add it to my collection of notes. I like 158gr JSP/JHPs out of my revolvers and think they'd make a fine hunting round out of the carbine. Thanks again bud!

Mac

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Just for fun today, I grabbed some random 38 special brass from a bag in my reloading room, and decided to see what the load I posted above would do in my Henry. I used Speer 158 gr JSP with 9.2gr 2400, and ran them through my chronograph aimed at a paper plate about 50 ft away. Here are my results.



I loaded ten rounds with a medium taper crimp, but had to not use one of them because I had a big setback on the bullet, and I knew that would throw off the data. That was probably due to the fact that it got a very light crimp because the brass was of different case lengths since it wasn’t trimmed. If the brass had been trimmed, and a uniform crimp applied, the spread would definitely have closed up. Better yet would have been a roll crimp. In either case, the accuracy was spot on even with the big spread. I know this was only 50 ft, but it definitely wasn’t bad for off hand.

Mr_Flintstone said:

Just for fun today, I grabbed some random 38 special brass from a bag in my reloading room, and decided to see what the load I posted above would do in my Henry. I used Speer 158 gr JSP with 9.2gr 2400, and ran them through my chronograph aimed at a paper plate about 50 ft away. Here are my results.
View attachment 1014396
View attachment 1014397

I loaded ten rounds with a medium taper crimp, but had to not use one of them because I had a big setback on the bullet, and I knew that would throw off the data. That was probably due to the fact that it got a very light crimp because the brass was of different case lengths since it wasn’t trimmed. If the brass had been trimmed, and a uniform crimp applied, the spread would definitely have closed up. Better yet would have been a roll crimp. In either case, the accuracy was spot on even with the big spread. I know this was only 50 ft, but it definitely wasn’t bad for off hand.

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Not a bad group at all, and that mv isn't bad either. I can't see any reason that load wouldn't be suitable for whitetail deer-sized game, provided shot placement is good. Though I do wonder what the energy would be; likely plenty good. I really appreciate you chrony-ing that load, too. That's something I don't have access to and need to remedy. Guess I need to get started on some rifle loads for the old '66!

Mac

I saw someone mention round .312 balls for 30-30 and light 32 caliber bullets for 303 British loads. Would 2400 be suitable for either or is that Unique or Trailboss territory?

DMW1116 said:

I saw someone mention round .312 balls for 30-30 and light 32 caliber bullets for 303 British loads. Would 2400 be suitable for either or is that Unique or Trailboss territory?

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I wouldn't use 2400 with round ball loads, or light for caliber stuff. I think it's too slow of a powder. The slower powders need a heavier bullet to develop the pressure needed for a clean burn.

For round ball loads I use a fast pistol powder; Red Dot, Clays, Bullseye and the like.

Hooda Thunkit said:

I wouldn't use 2400 with round ball loads, or light for caliber stuff. I think it's too slow of a powder. The slower powders need a heavier bullet to develop the pressure needed for a clean burn.

For round ball loads I use a fast pistol powder; Red Dot, Clays, Bullseye and the like.

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Agreed. Red Dot, Bullseye, 700X, Universal Clays - I also tried Blue Dot once in .30-30 and a .312 RB it was not a good experience. I wouldn't say it was dangerous but I won't repeat the experiment.