2400 and 40 S&W

[showmebob]

Anyone load 40SW with 2400 powder? What were the results and where did you find load information?

 

[ralph2]

I don't have a 40 S&W but I believe 2400 is too slow

 

[Vec]

Yep, way too slow.

Alliant doesn't have any published loads for .40 so I would start with that bit of info...

I did run .40 + 2400 through QuickLoad though. It doesn't look too good (as expected). Out of a 5" barrel it models that you only wind up burning around 1/2 of the powder before the bullet leaves the muzzle. On the plus side though, there seems to be no way to go over pressure with it even if you load to 100% usable capacity.

I guess if you want a big fireball it might work... but with all the better powders out there... why?

 

[showmebob]

Curious mind that's why I'm asking. If 2400 is a good powder for 357 158 bullet grain in a 4 inch barrel why wouldn't it burn more than 1/2 in a 5 inch barreled 40 say 180 grain bullet?

 

[Vec]

My guess is the additional area presented by the bullet base to the combustion pressure causes the bullet to move faster than the pressure builds. Smokeless powder burns faster as the pressure increases, so if the bullet is accelerated faster than the powder was designed for you never build enough pressure to get a good burn.

The small case capacity in the .40 doesn't do it any favors either for this powder.

 

[showmebob]

Vec, that explanation makes sense to me. So, a heavier bullet would be required to make 2400 a viable powder for a .40 caliber? Am I thinking along the right lines?

 

[Vec]

That's my thinking too. But then you wind up with the bullet taking up all of the case and no room left for the powder...

My way of looking at 2400 is that it's designed for heavy-for-the-caliber bullets in big cases. This makes sense if you look at what published loads are for the most part.

 

[fjlee]

Anyone load 40SW with 2400 powder? What were the results and where did you find load information?

I have the 1995 Alliant manual, and it shows .40 S&W Auto load for 2400 and jacketed bullet wts. of 170, 180, 190, and 200 grains.

Fer instance, with 4 inch barrel, max load of 2400 with 180 grain JHP is 10.9 grains of 2400 for fps of 1,025 and psi of 33,900. Minimum load is 10% less powder, or 9.8 grains of 2400.

FjLee Denver CO

 

[357 Terms]

I can only find 2400 data for the 10mm. In the 180grn load Speer suggests a mag primer, but not for their 200grn load.

I can find nothing for the .40 and 2400. Probably not good for it even with heavy bullets.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Alliant list data for it. Email them for it or search off the internet history site to find one of the old PDF's.

Not responsible for transcription errors but:
170xtp 12.1 grns (max loads in all cases)
180 jhp 10.9 grns
190 jhp 10.6 grns
200 fmj 8.5 grns

all are at 1.130 expect the 180 at 1.125 and the 170 at 1.124

 

[frankmako]

i look at some of my old data and you can use it. but why? aa#5 is a better powder for the 40 cal. i like 2400 in 44 mag.

 

[showmebob]

Thanks to all for their imput and ideas. I had seen a recipe for 40 & 2400 some place and was curious about it. I use 2400 for 357 full house loads and if push comes to shove it could be used in the 40 although may not the best choice, still a choice. Also, I love the smell of 2400 in the afternoon.
Thanks again!