I have a few load manuals and of course all the online options but was hoping to get load data from out of print manuals or older editions also. Main purpose is how ''fullhouse' the 44 gets with this powder. This is more general interest for me, not looking to break any records as I know it sits behind the slower burners like lilgun, 300-MP, H110 for power. If anyone has any printed data they would like to share or even your own 2400 loads feel free to post.
44 mag heavy loads with 2400 powder
- Thread starter trekker73
- Start date
- Status
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,004
For me, the advantage to 2400 over (for example) H110 has been that it has a much wider operating range: it can be up-loaded or down-loaded to close to max/min pressure without becoming spiky or unstable and it uses a standard primer as well as a magnum primer. H110 requires a magnum primer and does not download well. I'm not familiar with Lil'Gun or 300-MP so can't comment on them versus 2400. Something to keep in mind is 2400 was developed for and originally used as a small caliber rifle powder, not a handgun powder - there was no such thing as a "magnum handgun" when it was being developed - so you will see different performance out of 2400 depending on factors like crimp, neck tension, barrel length, and/or projectile weight. Basically, the longer you give it to burn, the better it performs. It's not your ideal big-bore-snubby powder, for sure.
LaneP
Member
Attached is data from 1987, the Hornady 3rd edition and the Speer No. 11. Hopefully large enough to be readable.
CoalTrain49
Member
AJC1
Member
The problem with old full house loads is the lack of data and how they were tested. Some like to say loads are layered up, but the pressure is the key to the truth. No matter cup or psi Sammi has a spec and a good heavy load does not intentionally cross that limit. Formulas for powder change over time on how powders are made as well. Brand new fresh powder will be faster and more powerful. As it ages it reduces power and as the humidity in the powder goes up, it weighs more for the same volume, effectively reducing your charge.
Lee Q. Loader
Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2018
- Messages
- 443
2400 is my favorite 44 mag powder. I don't know how to explain it, but it just feels better with full house loads.
I've tried AA9, H110 and 300MP and all these give me about the same velocity with a 240 gr jacketed bullet, about 1350 fps from a 5.5" barrel.
H110 and 2400 give me the best accuracy, but 2400 is King in my book.
My full house 2400 load with the 240gr jacketed bullet is 20.8 grains. I've gone up to 21.2 grains but I get sticky extraction and not as accurate.
I've tried AA9, H110 and 300MP and all these give me about the same velocity with a 240 gr jacketed bullet, about 1350 fps from a 5.5" barrel.
H110 and 2400 give me the best accuracy, but 2400 is King in my book.
My full house 2400 load with the 240gr jacketed bullet is 20.8 grains. I've gone up to 21.2 grains but I get sticky extraction and not as accurate.
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,051
Your current manuals will give you all the info you need. Hoping to get a few more FPS by using an older recipe that may not have been properly tested or even taking some "random poster on the internet" word that his recipe is safe, is not what responsible Handloaders do. If you are hunting something that a current max load .44 load will not kill....you need a bigger gun, not more powder.
44 Magnum was my most reloaded cartridge for over 25 years. I have 5, 44 Magnums that I shot quite a bit (I liked the heavy recoil and deafening muzzle blast 
).I have reloaded from 123 gr. balls to 265 gr, RNFP from mild to wild, but every load was worked up and I never started with max loads (the highest I started out was 10% under max but with a known powder/bullet combination). Having a raging case of "Magnumitis" I developed some full house loads, but using data from my reloading manuals, ignoring "forum load data". All my data came right out of my reloading manuals as a lot of my reloading was pre web. To anyone asking about reloading a specific cartridge; start with lower powder charges and work up until satisfied. No one is going to laugh at you for handloads that don't break your wrist and shake the dust out of the rafters from gigantic muzzle blast...
).I have reloaded from 123 gr. balls to 265 gr, RNFP from mild to wild, but every load was worked up and I never started with max loads (the highest I started out was 10% under max but with a known powder/bullet combination). Having a raging case of "Magnumitis" I developed some full house loads, but using data from my reloading manuals, ignoring "forum load data". All my data came right out of my reloading manuals as a lot of my reloading was pre web. To anyone asking about reloading a specific cartridge; start with lower powder charges and work up until satisfied. No one is going to laugh at you for handloads that don't break your wrist and shake the dust out of the rafters from gigantic muzzle blast...
Last edited:
Thanks for the data fellas, you understood what I meant. I'll add those ones to my collection. I had tried searching more older manuals online and thought I had exhausted what was out there. My internet kungfu is not great though
Last edited:
I think you misconstrued the idea of my post, but what you said is good general advice anyway
Last edited:
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,326
**CAUTION DON'T USE THIS LOAD OR YOU WILL DIE ETC.**
I normally don't post loads which are over the book maximums, but Elmer Keith's old load of 22 grains 2400 with a 250 cast SWC is so widely published that it doesn't seem like I'll be breaking any laws by reposting it. It is, though, a couple of grains or so above the maximum recommendations by modern sources, including Alliant.
I've shot my share of them and consider them an overload in things like a Model 29 - they won't blow the gun apart, but they will wear it out in short order. In something like a Redhawk, they are just fine, though still close to sticky extraction and flattened primers.
I normally don't post loads which are over the book maximums, but Elmer Keith's old load of 22 grains 2400 with a 250 cast SWC is so widely published that it doesn't seem like I'll be breaking any laws by reposting it. It is, though, a couple of grains or so above the maximum recommendations by modern sources, including Alliant.
I've shot my share of them and consider them an overload in things like a Model 29 - they won't blow the gun apart, but they will wear it out in short order. In something like a Redhawk, they are just fine, though still close to sticky extraction and flattened primers.
Weflyfast
Member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 497
You should work up a load with YOUR components....and YOUR powder lot....and YOUR brass...and YOUR gun.... Age of powder and brass and accuracy of your scales all play a factor -----
You can start with printed data but you should work up to Stout loads with your stuff-
I use 21.5 gr of 2400 under a 250 gr hard lead Keith bullet- but you should work up to it-
Good luck with your hand loads-
You can start with printed data but you should work up to Stout loads with your stuff-
I use 21.5 gr of 2400 under a 250 gr hard lead Keith bullet- but you should work up to it-
Good luck with your hand loads-
I used to shoot a lot of it in the 44 and 357.It does have a larger range of velocity than H110 which is what I use now.In my Smith 29,I get sticky extraction with 2400 if I start to crowd it,but with H110,I get a little more velocity and no sticky extraction.It seems like H110 feels a little softer as far as recoil goes,but that could just be me.
lightman
Member
I like 2400 and shoot a lot of it. But I've never seen the need to go all the way to 22 grains. I've shot from 18 to 20 grains a lot and its accurate with easy extraction. I use an H&G Keith Type SWC cast from clip-on wheelweights.
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,145
A number of years ago Alliant undertook efforts to “clean up” a number of its powders.
Unique and #2400 are the most notable.
I was recently (2yrs ago) gifted some Unique and 2400 in 1lb containers dating to the late ‘80’s. Loading it side by side with “current” lot #’s shows notable differences.
Both are cleaner, and hotter than old samples. Also, both are slightly denser. To load 5.2gr of “OLD” Unique in some .38spl w/160gr RFN, I had to go two cavities larger to get actual weight of powder. Chronograph velocities however match to published weights, not volume. It seems gassing off volatile solvents affects the weight but not velocity/energy to any significant degree.
I’ve loaded up to the old Keith load with the “NEW” #2400 and find the loads to give cratered primers and stiff to hard extraction. Too hot for my tastes... I find 18.5 with the 255gr Keith SWC and 19.8gr (what my measure throws) with a 240gr JSP/JHP to be all I want or need.
I don’t care for recoil or blast anymore. My preferred load in my M69 4” is a .44spl case with 5.0gr of #231 under a Lee 240gr TLSWC powder coated and sized .432”. Shoots knot-holes at 25yds...
Unique and #2400 are the most notable.
I was recently (2yrs ago) gifted some Unique and 2400 in 1lb containers dating to the late ‘80’s. Loading it side by side with “current” lot #’s shows notable differences.
Both are cleaner, and hotter than old samples. Also, both are slightly denser. To load 5.2gr of “OLD” Unique in some .38spl w/160gr RFN, I had to go two cavities larger to get actual weight of powder. Chronograph velocities however match to published weights, not volume. It seems gassing off volatile solvents affects the weight but not velocity/energy to any significant degree.
I’ve loaded up to the old Keith load with the “NEW” #2400 and find the loads to give cratered primers and stiff to hard extraction. Too hot for my tastes... I find 18.5 with the 255gr Keith SWC and 19.8gr (what my measure throws) with a 240gr JSP/JHP to be all I want or need.
I don’t care for recoil or blast anymore. My preferred load in my M69 4” is a .44spl case with 5.0gr of #231 under a Lee 240gr TLSWC powder coated and sized .432”. Shoots knot-holes at 25yds...
Last edited:
great post goosegestapo, thats the sort of information I find interesting. Similar to yourself I prefer lesser load levels, working up some Unique and CFE pistol in a 44 mag carbine currently. Also some 44 special loads with 231 and Clays at the other end of the scale.
I dont think you read the entire thread.
- Status
