2400 357 Magnum loads

[ultratec1]

I just recently started loading my .357 with 2400 and I to used magnum primers, I even made a post on here asking if I should continue to keep using them. After sticking with them and using 14.9gr of 2400 over a 125xtphp the loads make, literally, one ragged hole at 15yrds. We even shot at round steel target @135yrds off hand and rang it everytime. Seems to be a good load for my gun.

Ruger GP100 6"

 

[joneb]

I have always used SPP with 2400. A friend gave me some loads to try his load was a 158gr Nosler jhp with 14.0gr of 2400 and F-200 primers, these loads shot very well.
I loaded some Nosler 158gr jhp with 14.2gr of 2400 using WSPM and some with 14.8gr of 2400 using CCI 500. The loads with the magnum primers were more accurate, I will need to run these loads through a cronograph.

PS the temperature of this ammo was approx. 45-50 deg. F

 

[chrisf8657]

Guess i'll stick with the 14.5-14.8 grains then.
With a Remington scalloped JHP @ 14.8, I'm getting 1,355 avg from my 4" Ruger GP-100.
I call it the "Highway Patrol Classic" load. This is what I'll be loading for SHTF.

Had a friend chrono it - forgot to ask - wonder if the recoil is controllable....anyone know if it's on-par with most factory loadings for recoil?

 

[joneb]

Remington scalloped JHP @ 14.8, I'm getting 1,355 avg from my 4" Ruger GP-100.

Here is a Rem. 158gr jhp next to a Hornady 158gr xtp notice the cannelure position.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=162395&d=1333902707

 

[Ric]

Ok, I'm gonna jump in here
I have been trying to work up a load of 125 grain lead with 2400
13.2 grain works well and were accurate but not hot by any stretch. More like a 38 +p
Any suggestions for 125 grain lead and 2400?

 

[joneb]

Any suggestions for 125 grain lead and 2400?

I would recommend working the load up with a gas checked bullet.
A Lyman reloading manual could be helpful.

 

[david bachelder]

I use 2400 for my .357 loads. My Ruger BlackHawk seemes to like it better than 296. I use cast bullets, reloads as follows:

CAUTION MAX LOADS

Cast LSWC @ 150 grains
Magnum Primers
14 Grains 2400
Alox tumble lube

Works for me.

I have a cast hollow point at 125 Grains, however I do not use 2400 for that, can't help.

I have a Henry Lever Action rifle in .357 that loves the load below. Probably past the suggested speed of cast lead, but I use a hard alloy (95/2.5/2.5 Lead, Tin, Antimony, BHN around 12) and have seen no leading.

CAUTION MAX LOADS
.357 Magnum
125 grain cast hollow point
Universal @ 6.8 grains

 

[Peter M. Eick]

With 158 Lasercast LSWC's 14.8 grns of 2400 and a cci550 primer is a pretty standard blasting load for me. I shoot a lot of them in my N Frames.

 

[chrisf8657]

So 14.8g is basically same recoil as any factory load 158g?

 

[4719dave]

357 loads/2400

Any one shooting 2400 out of a ross1 20'' gun ??? need to get loading up worlds coming to an end and i havent shot this yet ......

 

[sghart3578]

I would say yes, the felt recoil would be the same or close. I have not shot any of the CorBon or Buffalo Bore rounds, they may be different. And it has been years since I have fired any Federal, Remington or Winchester factory ammo with any regularity. I did fire some PMC factory 357 mag, 158 gr JSP rounds just the other day for my CCW re-qualification. I chronoed them later at an average of 1128 fps from my 4" S&W M586. They seemed about the same as my reloads recoil wise. I have been an avid 357 mag guy for 30 years, felt recoil is something I ignore in any gun. Not being macho, I just learned that anticipating a big blast had a detrimental affect on my accuracy. Focus on the front sight and forget everything else.

After years of experimenting I have settled on two magnum loads for my 6" model 28 and my new 4" model 586. This is not counting the 38 spl loads that I shoot in quantity for practice. The reason I have two loads is simple. In nice weather I prefer to shoot outside at gongs, spinners, etc. Outside I shoot 14 grains of 2400 under a cast 158 gr LSWC, standard primer. This load averages 1286 fps in my 6" m28 and 1213 fps in my M586. This load is comfortable and accurate enough to hit a 12" gong at 50 yards consistently if I am having a good day.

My second load is for those days when the weather outside is cold and rainy and I want to shoot indoors. This load is 11.4 gr of Accurate #7 under a Zero brand 158 gr JSP. This also uses a standard primer. This load clocks 1158 fps on average from my 4" and 1190 fps from my 6". Also very clean.

Why change loads from outdoor to indoor? The outdoor loads produce more smoke than the indoor loads from the burning of the wax lube on the bullet. Some of the range guys didn't care for it. Also, I'm in California and two of the indoor ranges prohibit lead.

If you stay with the 357 round you can and may spend hours and days of fun and rewarding time trying different loads to find what works for you and your gun. Then you will get a new caliber and start all over.

P.S. I have loaded for the 38 spl, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 9mm and several rifle cartridges. They are all fun, but the 357 is magical.

Steve Hart

 

[joneb]

They are all fun, but the 357 is magical.

I agree, but only if I am shooting them with ear protection

 

[david bachelder]

I love shooting .357 rounds. With any luck, I might get a chance to hog hunt with the .357 Henry this winter.

 

[codefour]

A couple of months ago, I called the Allaint Powder Company with questions regarding a .460 load I was working on.

He (forgot his name) was a real nice representative and the CS was great. He answered my 460 S&W questions and I asked about other cartridges Here is the kicker:

He advised in thier load testing, they found a small pistol MAGNUM primer was better for all .357 Magnum loads using 2400. He stated because of the thinner case versus .44 & .41 Mag, the .357 had better ignition with magnum primers. He stated the .44 and .41 are still recommended to use standard large pistol primers.

Do not shoot the messenger please. I asked him to confirm this. He replied yes, that new Speer loading manuel will have Magnum primers recommended with .357 2400 loads.

I know this in contradictory to all the info out there regarding 2400 and .357.

I am going to try it and use the starting loads and work up.


-codefour

 

[chrisf8657]

Strange he said that. I've been using the standard primers specified in Speer #14 and am very happy with the velocity/SD/ES I get...

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Question to me on the 14.8 grns vs. factory load recoil. No, Factory ammo is pretty wimpy from the big name brands. When I was chrono-ing factory ammo I was surprised how mild it was when compared to my reloads. It had me worried a bit until I reviewed that my reloads were exactly as per the book, give me very plausible velocities for the barrel length and where not even book max loads.

In the end I just racked it up to wimpy name brand factory 357 magnum ammo.

 

[nitroexpress]

In order to avoid any confusion, or problems, the quote from Speer #14 should be considered in it's entirety.

" Do not use magnum primers with the 2400 or VihtaVuori N110 loads shown here or high pressures will result."

 

[Crashbox]

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.

Cool. I never knew that Eastman Kodak was involved with load development of 2400 and the .357 Magnum. But it DOES make sense, because of the huge FLASH that 2400 provides... great idea considering the slower films of the day. I sure hope they were mighty careful checking out their backstop...



Anyway, I use 17.2 grains to push a 125 JHP, and I do use magnum primers. They seem to work just fine for me. The report and flash is tremendous with said load, especially out of my SP101 3" .357!

P.S. I do think "E.K." would actually be Elmer Keith...

 

[forestswin]

chris, I don't shoot jhp so I don't know how they compare, but i did quite a bit of testing with 2400 and a 158 gr lead truncated cone in a S&W 686 6 inch. Not too much difference between magnum and standard primers - but I mostly used the standard primers.
check the data and targets out here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=733879

I have to admit - 14.5 grains are about as hot as I want to load for this combination with lead bullets

 

[Schwing]

As for published data from Alliant, I am not aware of ANY alliant powder that will call for magnum primers.

Having said that, I have done a lot of loads with 300MP and have found that Magnum primers do in fact seem to work better even though alliant's data calls for standard primers. This seems especially true when working with loads that are on the light side of the published data and firing them in cold weather. Before switching to magnum primers for these loads, I even had a few that did not ignite properly, leaving slugs 3/4s of the way down the barrel.

For me, I stick to the published data almost universally unless I find a problem like the one above.