Hi, i just bought Alliant 2400 to load for 125 gr XTP .357 mag. My gun is a SW 686 in 4 inch barrel. I dont reload but my friend does. He has the dies etc. I am interested to load half to 3/4 powder loads of this recipe. What are the velocities im looking at? I testing this load for fun at the range and if it shoots tight with my gun, i can load more for home defense. Thanks for any info and tips.
Alliant 2400 using Hornady 125 gr JHP in .357 mag
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someguy2800
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My speer #10 loading manual lists a starting load of 17.5 grains with a velocity of 1399, and a max load of 19.5 grains with a velocity of 1555. Testing was done in a 6 inch ruger security six. Based on my research when I bought my 4 inch 357, I think would guess you will be 100fps slower than these number in a 4 inch gun.
For home defense you may want to consider a lower flash powder like AA7 or HS6. It may not be in your best interest to go blind after each shot.
For home defense you may want to consider a lower flash powder like AA7 or HS6. It may not be in your best interest to go blind after each shot.
someguy2800
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Oh also, I would not advise trying to make a half or even 3/4 load using that powder. Dangerous pressure spikes can happen if you load below recommended starting load. If you want a low power load you should be using a fast burning powder such as unique, AA5 or AA7, HS6, 700x or several others. They will shoot much more cleanly and have much less flash. Or just shoot 38 specials. That is already a half loaded 357.
anothernewb
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2400 is going to be designed for more full power magnum applications, although it can be downloaded much better than others.
However, I have no experience with that powder, others may know better
for range plinking at half to 3/4 power loads, a powder such as universal, unique, be86, HS6, or 231/ hp 38 or similar will give you very nice results, and lots of loads per # of powder
However, I have no experience with that powder, others may know better
for range plinking at half to 3/4 power loads, a powder such as universal, unique, be86, HS6, or 231/ hp 38 or similar will give you very nice results, and lots of loads per # of powder
Crashbox
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Lyman's 49th gives a starting load of 13.0 grains and a maximum of 17.7 grains for the Hornady #35710, 125-grain JHP. I've loaded 125's at 13.5 grains and although considerably tamer than the rip-snorting 17.7-grain load of 2400, it will still produce a decent fireball.
Wil Terry
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WRONG CHOISE OF PROPELLENTS to do what you want to do. This is covered in any number of loading manuals. 2400 is NOT for any loads under about [ about !!! ] eighty percent of maximum and work by FAR the best at about 99% of maximum in any one particular pistol of the appropriate caliber.
And so it goes...
And so it goes...
tightgroup tiger
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Lyman's 49th edition lists minimum load of 2400 @ 13gr with a 125gr Hornady JHP at 1159 fps.
17.7 gr @ 1478fps. for maximum.
Gun tested was a 4"universal receiver which is closed breech. Your revolver will be a little slower than that with it's barrel to cylinder gap letting off some pressure.
17.7 gr @ 1478fps. for maximum.
Gun tested was a 4"universal receiver which is closed breech. Your revolver will be a little slower than that with it's barrel to cylinder gap letting off some pressure.
PJSprog
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I use HP-38 for lower power loads, and it works fine for .357 in that capacity. I agree with the others that 2400 is probably the wrong powder to try that.
I don't have any medium speed powder. So what if I use 158 gr XTP jhp instead?. I'm stuck with this powder right now. Is it going to make any difference? Why is it one has to load at 80 percent to max on the Alliant 2400? Sorry I ask bec I'm just not into reloading.
Since Alliant 2400 is classified as slow burner, its only appropriate to use on 6 inch or longer barrels, right?
Since Alliant 2400 is classified as slow burner, its only appropriate to use on 6 inch or longer barrels, right?
Buck13
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Alliant shows .38 +P and even .32 S&W loads for 2400, so it should be safe to use it at lower pressures (no detonation, if that really is a thing). You should be able to interpolate between the .38 data and .357 data to find what you want velocity-wise. But it's not a great choice.
It's better than a 125 because it's easier to build pressure behind a heavier bullet that takes more energy to get it started. It's still going to be messy.
No, velocity and rifling twist rate vs bullet weight (Length really) are what determines stability. Either will likely stabilize just fine at 80%, they just won't burn clean and the ES & SD numbers will be poor. It may shoot just fine accuracy wise.
Ever see the threads where folks say I fired load "XYZ" and there were powder flakes all over the bench, in the barrel, etc, etc?
It'll work and go bang with the best of them. But there are more appropriate light bullet powders out there. 2400 has worked well for me in all my guns but my experience is it works best with heavy-for-caliber bullets down a longish runway.
For a time, I used 2400 in guns with either 6" or 7.5" barrels. Then I bought a 4" GP100. It worked just fine in the shorter barrel. But I also had more unburned powder granules then in the longer tubes.
If 2400 was all I had, I'd use it again without hesitation.
For a time, I used 2400 in guns with either 6" or 7.5" barrels. Then I bought a 4" GP100. It worked just fine in the shorter barrel. But I also had more unburned powder granules then in the longer tubes.
If 2400 was all I had, I'd use it again without hesitation.
I was researching online at reloadersnest.com and and handloads.org. I noticed they have info regarding the 140 gr XTP and Alliant 2400. I think i might just buy the 140 gr, a great compromise between 125 and 158 grns. Anyone have any Speer or Hornady manual loading data to compare on the 140 gr XTP ? Whats the max load minus 20 percent to start with ?
Thanks
Thanks
jmorris
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As others have said for reduced loads you have a less than ideal powder. It will also cost more than some of the other suggestions.
With a 15 gr charge of 2400 you will get less than 500 rounds from a pound of powder. With a faster powder like Bullseye, I use 4.4 grains with plated 158g RN, and get almost 1600 rounds of "reduced" loads from a pound of powder.
With a 15 gr charge of 2400 you will get less than 500 rounds from a pound of powder. With a faster powder like Bullseye, I use 4.4 grains with plated 158g RN, and get almost 1600 rounds of "reduced" loads from a pound of powder.
bluetopper
Member
Nathan, you will get incomplete and in inconsistent burn of 2400 powder at those light loadings is the reason.
There's a bit more to reloading than many think.
There's a bit more to reloading than many think.
Heres direct from Alliant Powder website . So 2400 has to be loaded ten percent (no less) from max to start with .
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=9&cartridge=28
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=9&cartridge=28
someguy2800
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The problem with that is there is a 5 grain spread in what is a max load depending on the resource.
Sunray
Member
"...interested to load half to 3/4 powder loads..." That'd be excessively dangerous. You do not load by percentages of anything.
Read your manual first. Then just load your .357 cases to .38 Special velocities. You'll have to contact Alliant for 125 grain .38 Special 2400 data, if it's not in your manual.
"...starting load of 17.5 grains..." Something ain't right. Alliant gives 17.5 as the MAX load for a 125. Reduced by 10% makes 15.8 the start load.
Read your manual first. Then just load your .357 cases to .38 Special velocities. You'll have to contact Alliant for 125 grain .38 Special 2400 data, if it's not in your manual.
"...starting load of 17.5 grains..." Something ain't right. Alliant gives 17.5 as the MAX load for a 125. Reduced by 10% makes 15.8 the start load.
tightgroup tiger
Member
Nathan, I wouldn't go buy 140gr bullets as a compromise, I'd buy powder in the midrange burn rate, say anything from 25 through 50 on the chart below.
Here's a burn rate chart, use it in conjunction with a loading manual to get to where you want to be.
http://www.wwpowder.com/burn-rate.html.
The data in the book manuals typically start with the fastest burning powder and go down the page to the slowest.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx?page=/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx&
http://blog.westernpowders.com/WP_LoadSpec_1-23-14.pdf
These links will give you something to look at. Compare the powder in the load in these manuals to what you see on the burn rate chart and you will have a better idea of what to look for.
Use 2400's velocity, subtract 25% - 50% of that velocity from it and look for a load that falls in that velocity range. It will show you what powder to use to get those numbers.
Are you sure your friend knows what he's doing as a reloader? If he does he should have told you this, or are hypothesizing on your own?
Here's a burn rate chart, use it in conjunction with a loading manual to get to where you want to be.
http://www.wwpowder.com/burn-rate.html.
The data in the book manuals typically start with the fastest burning powder and go down the page to the slowest.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx?page=/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx&
http://blog.westernpowders.com/WP_LoadSpec_1-23-14.pdf
These links will give you something to look at. Compare the powder in the load in these manuals to what you see on the burn rate chart and you will have a better idea of what to look for.
Use 2400's velocity, subtract 25% - 50% of that velocity from it and look for a load that falls in that velocity range. It will show you what powder to use to get those numbers.
Are you sure your friend knows what he's doing as a reloader? If he does he should have told you this, or are hypothesizing on your own?
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