44 mag and 2400 powder
- Thread starter JO JO
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This data looks old but 2400 has not changed much. And this was when chronographs were new and I had still a bunch of pre Dillion progressive press loads. The charges are thrown from a little dandy rotor and the book value was 17.9 grs. I am sure, the actual amount was less. I have shot thousands of 17.5 grs 2400 in 44 Magnum cases with 240 LSWC's but never saw the need to chronograph them as they should all be going close to 1200 fps, plus or minus. Let no one ever fool you in thinking that a 240 grain bullet going1200 fps is not a powerful load.
I never had any issues what so ever at this charge level, I shot this load in all weather conditions, it is accurate and powerful. This is one of the reasons I like 2400 as a magnum powder, you can cut it. While H110/W296 are just wonderful in full power applications, you can't reduce the loads, with those powders it is full power or nothing. There are a number of magnum powders I tried that were not as flexible as 2400 in this regard.
44 Magnum
Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2" Barrel
240 LSWC 17.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 22 CCI primers
19-Aug-90 T = 100°F
Ave Vel =1156
Std Dev =42
ES =114
Low = 1114
High = 1228
Number shots=6
230 LSWC 17.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 22 CCI primers
19-Aug-90 T = 100°F
Ave Vel = 1225
Std Dev = 24
ES = 54
Low = 1203
High = 1257
N = 6
Ruger Super Blackhawk Stainless Steel 7.5" Barrel
250 LSWC 17.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 22 CCI primers
25-Nov-90 T = 70°F
Ave Vel = 1192
Std Dev = 33
ES = 90
Low = 1131
High = 1221
N = 6
This is the classic Keith load of 22 grains 2400 with his bullet.
250 LSWC 21.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 26 Fed primers
14-Jan-91 T = 50°F
Ave Vel = 1355
Std Dev = 75
ES = 186
Low = 1256
High = 1442
N = 6
For a 1000 fps load, I recommend 8.5 grains Unique with a 240 Lead in a 44 Magnum case.
I never had any issues what so ever at this charge level, I shot this load in all weather conditions, it is accurate and powerful. This is one of the reasons I like 2400 as a magnum powder, you can cut it. While H110/W296 are just wonderful in full power applications, you can't reduce the loads, with those powders it is full power or nothing. There are a number of magnum powders I tried that were not as flexible as 2400 in this regard.
44 Magnum
Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2" Barrel
240 LSWC 17.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 22 CCI primers
19-Aug-90 T = 100°F
Ave Vel =1156
Std Dev =42
ES =114
Low = 1114
High = 1228
Number shots=6
230 LSWC 17.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 22 CCI primers
19-Aug-90 T = 100°F
Ave Vel = 1225
Std Dev = 24
ES = 54
Low = 1203
High = 1257
N = 6
Ruger Super Blackhawk Stainless Steel 7.5" Barrel
250 LSWC 17.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 22 CCI primers
25-Nov-90 T = 70°F
Ave Vel = 1192
Std Dev = 33
ES = 90
Low = 1131
High = 1221
N = 6
This is the classic Keith load of 22 grains 2400 with his bullet.
250 LSWC 21.9 grs 2400 little dandy rotor 26 Fed primers
14-Jan-91 T = 50°F
Ave Vel = 1355
Std Dev = 75
ES = 186
Low = 1256
High = 1442
N = 6
For a 1000 fps load, I recommend 8.5 grains Unique with a 240 Lead in a 44 Magnum case.
.308 Norma
Member
Yeah, I think so. I like 2400 a lot for full power 44 Mag loads - 22grs behind 250gr SWCs. And neither of the two manuals (a Speer and a Lyman) I just looked at list anything less than 18grs of 2400 behind 240gr SWCs. I'm thinking 2400 might not burn well with those small of charges in 44 Mag cases, and your velocities might be up and down, all over the place.
I prefer Unique for medium 44 Mag loads. Is Unique hard to find where you are?
That is what I am using now , we are lucky now a days with all the component shelves full at good prices I am exploring different powers , but unique is a good powder I also tried BE 86 for
44 at mid level and it did as well as unique
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