357 magnum 2400 loads - unburned powder

[Dewey 68]

I shot some 357 magnum loads at the range yesterday. Some of the loads were with 2400, some with W296. Both with 158 gr LSWC. Both loads were done with the same seating and crimp settings. This was the first time I've used W296, in the past all of my 357 mag loads have been with 2400.

I noticed that the loads done with 2400 left some unburned powder on my hands, while the W296 loads were cleaner. I don't remember 2400 leaving behind so much unburned powder in the past, but it's very possible I just don't remember since I didn't have anything to compare it to.

Is this just the way 2400 is, or does it need more of a crimp to burn cleanly than W296?

 

[Grumulkin]

Unburned powder usually means the pressure isn't high enough for the powder to burn efficiently. A stronger crimp will raise the pressure as will an increase in powder charge.

 

[Obturation]

What was your charge weight for the 2400?

 

[Obturation]

2400 isn't super clean but isn't bad. W296 is generally a bit cleaner.
I like a 158 swc over 14.0 grains of 2400, I crimp hard and I use a magnum primer although it is fine to use standard primers. Some manuals show 13.5 grains as max and other manuals exceed 14 grains, so be cautious but it's been great in all my guns. 2400 is my preferred 357 powder.

 

[Dewey 68]

What was your charge weight for the 2400?

13.5 grains. In the past I was loading 14.5 to 15 grains, but 15 seemed a bit hot so I backed off for this batch.

My previous loads with 2400 have been with magnum primers but these were with standard primers for the 2400.

 

[Obturation]

13.5 grains. In the past I was loading 14.5 to 15 grains, but 15 seemed a bit hot so I backed off for this batch.

That should be enough to get it cooking. I don't generally see unburned powder from that type of load. What barrel length?

 

[243winxb]

Is this just the way 2400 is

Yes. With my revolver, i just eject fired shells with the muzzle up. Loading 357 mag, 163 gr lswc, mag primers. 13 grs 2400. Starline brass.


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...00-in-the-357-Magnum-with-6-different-primers

 

[Dewey 68]

4" GP100.

 

[Obturation]

Did you also notice the unburned powder at higher charge weights?

 

[Dewey 68]

Did you also notice the unburned powder at higher charge weights?

I tend to suffer from CRS these days, so it's possible, but if there was unburned powder I don't think it was this bad. Switching to regular primers may have contributed too.

 

[joed]

More crimp should take care of the problem.

 

[Obturation]

maybe tough to see but you possibly can make out the profile of the crimp I put on rounds like these, I could be missing it or I'm getting a more complete burn from a 6" & 18" barrel but I never notice unburned powder from 14 grains with a death crimp (probably not recommended for everyone but it's what I do)

 

[Walkalong]

13.5 grains. In the past I was loading 14.5 to 15 grains, but 15 seemed a bit hot so I backed off for this batch.

I load 14.5 Grs of 2400 under a 158. 14.5 was better than 14.0.

 

[Bfh_auto]

13.5 grains. In the past I was loading 14.5 to 15 grains, but 15 seemed a bit hot so I backed off for this batch.

My previous loads with 2400 have been with magnum primers but these were with standard primers for the 2400.

You dropped charge weight and switch to a milder primer. Both reduce pressure which increase your odds of getting unburned powder.
I took Magnum primers in most of my pistol loads to help mitigate the issue.

 

[Dewey 68]

Obturation, I definitely don't have as much crimp as you do. I'll put some more crimp on the rest of that batch and see if that helps next time I shoot 357.

Thanks for the information fellas!

 

[cfullgraf]

I noticed that the loads done with 2400 left some unburned powder on my hands, while the W296 loads were cleaner. I don't remember 2400 leaving behind so much unburned powder in the past, but it's very possible I just don't remember since I didn't have anything to compare it to.

Unburned 2400 powder in my 357 Magnum guns is why I do not use 2400 anymore.

This was back in the 1980's when 2400 was made by Hercules. Alliant may have improved the formula since then.

 

[nofendertom]

Using 2400---I have had unburned powder in my 4in .357 but it burned much cleaner in my 6in .357 with the same load.

 

[Otto]

I load 14.5 Grs of 2400 under a 158. 14.5 was better than 14.0.

And I'd bet that you use standard primers as well.

 

[mustanger98]

2400 isn't super clean but isn't bad. W296 is generally a bit cleaner.
I like a 158 swc over 14.0 grains of 2400, I crimp hard and I use a magnum primer although it is fine to use standard primers. Some manuals show 13.5 grains as max and other manuals exceed 14 grains, so be cautious but it's been great in all my guns. 2400 is my preferred 357 powder.

Last load I worked up for a .357, I used a 190gr cast with a wide flat nose over about 10.5grs of 2400. These were tested in a 6" barrel. I didn't notice problems... didn't seem too dirty either.

 

[jr_watkins]

Another vote for using the magnum primers. I usually load 125gr bullets over 16.0gr 2400 and burns all powder in everything from 3 - 16" barrel lengths. (16" is in a Winchester 94) I would say this is a mid-range load pressure wise.

 

[Walkalong]

And I'd bet that you use standard primers as well.

Correct.

 

[Charlie98]

View attachment 932835 maybe tough to see but you possibly can make out the profile of the crimp I put on rounds like these...

That's what the crimp looks like on my .41MAG cartridges when I'm loading 2400, H110, or IMR4227... it's the only way to get them to burn clean, but I do it with my Unique loads as well. Not quite the Patented Charlie98 Death Grip Crimp of legend, but I don't lose as much brass from split necks that way...