500 S&W Magnum and 2400 for lead?

[Shrinkmd]

I have been playing around with Berry's plated bullets for indoor use, and got some great accuracy with a load of 40gr of 2400 and a CCI LR primer.

For outdoor use, I was wondering what would be a good load with a 330 gr hard cast RNFP. I have the Dardas cast ones, and I have shot them with Trail Boss and Unique. Alliant recommended up to 17.5 gr of Unique, which gave a nice 1350 out of the 10.5" barrel.

So I was wondering what would be a safe load with this bullet for 2400. I bet it could go about 1400 or so without leading and running out of lube. I've shot the Dardas 240 LSWC in my 44 Mag 1894, and they were able to do about 1400 or so without making a mess. Then again, 10.5 inch barrel is a lot shorter than the carbine!

Any ideas?

 

[Shrinkmd]

I found a partial answer to my question in an old Handloader article. It listed a 370gr Cast Performance gas checked bullet with 35gr of 2400 with Starline brass and a Winchester standard LR primer. It measured 1623 from an original 8 1/2" barrel. This was from the Feb 2004 issue.

Any thoughts on using this load with my 330gr non gas checked bullets? I know gc loads can be higher because of less obturation and gas seal than a normal lead bullet, but this one is 40gr lighter! I am curious to work up this load as a stronger alternative to the Unique 17.5gr load which went 1350.

 

[JLDickmon]

personally, I'd gas check it.
That being said, a 100% density load of Tin Star or Trail Boss would be pleasant to shoot with any lead bullet, gas checked, bevel base, or hollow base.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Results

Finally got some range time in. I loaded from 30 to 34 grains of 2400, CCI LR Primer, and once fired Starline Brass with my Dardas Cast 330gr lead bullets.

They shot well! The 34 gr load was zipping along at 1580 from my 10.5" barrel. It was cold here today, so maybe at a more normal temperature they would be a drop faster. Who knows?

I think that the 17.5 gr Unique load for a medium, and the 34 gr 2400 load for full house makes the 500 a great gun to shoot. I think both of these loads are still below max for this gun, and since the X frame is a beast designed for more, I'm less concerned about rattling it apart than shooting factory type loads in my 629. Of course these cost a bit more, but after 50 or so your nervous system is sort of spent for the day!

And leading was not a problem. I wrapped extra copper chore boy around my 45 caliber brush, and worked it back and forth a couple of times. I might need to do a little more, since when I was brushing and cleaning out the powder fouling, the patches had a bit of sparkle in the dirt, which I'm assuming is a bit of lead. Barrel looks clean right now, though.

Beats spending $55 for 20 rounds!

 

[FROGO207]

I like Lil-gun, H110, and Trail Boss for loading my big 50 with the lighter bullets. I have never tried 2400 there so I may just try it soon.

 

[Shrinkmd]

More info

I was reading this months Handloader, and they mention some more 2400 data in 500 S&W. They had a 370 gr lead bullet, with gas check (don't have magazine in front of me, will edit later if wrong) that used up to 35.5 gr of 2400.

I know that the gas check changes the load a bit, but that data seems to argue that my 34 gr load with a much lighter (although plain based) lead bullet should be good. I am curious to try working up to 35.5 gr, since the 34 gr loads run about 1580 out of my 10.5" and I was hoping to get a little closer to a factory round.

Of course, I know I need to try working something up with 300MP, which is a bit slower than 2400 and will make use of that long barrel.

 

[Rangemaster]

You should never load a 500 s&w lead round without a gas check.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Can you elaborate? I've loaded and shot hundreds of rounds with good accuracy and no more problems cleaning up than shooting any other revolver round using plain base lead bullets. I've also asked Alliant for advice and have followed it, along with the little book data there is for lead in the 500.

 

[bluetopper]

Nothing at all wrong with 2400 in lighter weight bullet, full charge 500 loads.

For reduced loads I do prefer using slower powders and loading them at 100% load density such as 4198 or H322 instead of using lighter charges of faster than normal powders. Much safer.

 

[caster]

You should never load a 500 s&w lead round without a gas check.

I would almost agree with this statement. I say almost because unless you are pushing a <400 grain bullet over 1700 fps a gas check isn't necessary. This assumes proper fit of course.

If you aren't looking for absolute top performance, try Titegroup. You can safely push a non gas check 330 into the 1600 fps range without exceeding SAAMI psi parameters.

If you are looking for top performance, LilGun is your best option. 2400, 1680 and 5740 are a complete waste of components in this caliber.

 

[Shrinkmd]

How is 2400 a waste of components? I'm getting almost 1600 with the plain base 330, accuracy is good, no leading "problem" that I'm aware of. What about titegroup is so much more favorable than 2400?

 

[JoeDaddy]

Be cautious with titegroup in this caliber for anything other than near starting loads. In my experience the pressures come up very fast in the 500 with titegroup, and I've seen pressure signs in mid-range loads with lead.

Lots of kabooms with titegroup in the 500 as well, be it real life or internet myth. Just sayin'.....

FWIW, your 2400 load sounds like a dandy to me.

 

[Shrinkmd]

FWIW, your 2400 load sounds like a dandy to me.

It is. I don't have a Ransom rest, but I shot it off sandbags at 25 yds, and it grouped nicely. I will have to try it at 50 or 100 (I think my pistol range goes out to 100) and see what they do.

I'm still a little puzzled by the other remark that 2400 would be a "waste" of components in a 500. After all, people talk about 44 Magnum shooting a 240gr going about 1200 being good for most things on 4 legs. I can't see how a 330 gr slug going 1600 would be

a complete waste of components in this caliber

Plus the fact I can practice with and enjoy the gun way more with those more economical bullets compared to using the Berry's plated 350gr or using fancy JHP rounds.

I will have to pester Alliant again and see if they can give some guidance for 300MP. I remember that Handloader did an article on 300MP in 44 Magnum, and gave a max charge of 25 (if I remember correctly) for both 240 gr JHP and for a hard cast LSWC. My chrony data was for a 24.8 gr load of 300MP with a 240gr LSWC, Federal LP, and Starline brass. It averaged 1259 from a 4' barrel.

I wonder what a reasonable starting charge with 300MP would be, based on the 44 Magnum data.