broadening my horizons.......

[SSN Vet]

O.K. maybe I'm not ready for the deep end yet....but I feel like I'm ready to leave the kiddie pool .

I'm only re-loading .38 sp, .357 mag. and .30-30 .... and only have two powders on the shelf.... W231 and W748.

I just got my first "real" bullet order.....1,000 Zero 158 gr JSP and I'd like to cook up a full boat .357 mag. load.

seems like 2400 and W296 are the "go to" powders for this task and both are readilly available.

So far the only prominent difference I can see is what primer is required.

Everything I'm seeing says that W296 requires a mag. primer. Yet I've read several posts that indicate 2400 does not require a mag. primer. My reloading manuals aren't always crystal clear on which primer is required.

Does 2400 require mag. primers whe used in .357 mag. loads?

any other info. that might "tip the scale"?

thanks in advance.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

When in doubt, start at the low end of the recommended powder charge range and work your way up, watching for pressure signs. Normally, you'll get to a plenty warm and good groups before you reach max loads. This is the best way to do things, especially if you are using magnum primers and working towards the high end of things.

You didn't specify what manual/s you were using and/or what primers you had on hand vs. what you have to buy. Since it sounds like you have to buy powder, I'd buy primers as well and have the bases covered related to stocks if you can afford to do so.

regards,

Dave

 

[Bula]

2400 and .357 mag loads do not require mag primers. I use WSP primers and have great results. 2400 is the only powder I use for heavier .44 mag and 357 mag loads. I shoot a lot of 158 gr jacketed bullets, WSP and a good firm crimp. This load does everything I need from a pistol round. Start lower and work your way up. I've found my best results are at the higher end of the charge weights. Good Luck.

 

[SSN Vet]

clarification...


by "full boat" I mean a true magnum velocity load (~1,400 fps)....

as opposed to the .38 sp velocity range loads with fast powders.

I have a great store nearby and can get just about anything.

I'm using WSP primers and am loading for a Taurus 689 w/ 6.5" barrel.

If everything else is the same.....I'd pick 2400 so I can stick with one primer.

Cost is less the issue (primers won't break the bank) but I don't want to inventory seldom used or un-needed items. Don't want to get similar size or packaged primers mixed up either.

 

[CZ57]

SSN: keep AA#9 in mind. You won't have any primer issue, and personally, I think #9 is better suited to the size of the .357 Magnum case, than 2400 or 296. Part of the reason you see recommendations for magnum primers with 2400, is to get a cleaner powder burn. CCI-500 primers cover a lot of bases for me.

 

[joneb]

I'm not recommending Blue Dot but I have had good results with it in .357 mag. It does seem temperature sensitive, metering is not great either. Accuracy is much better for me when using standard primers, and I have had no ignition problems with 500+ rnds fired.
I chose BD for a 4" barrel, if I were loading for a 6"+ barrel I would consider CZ57's suggestion for AA#9. I use AA#5and7 and it meters excellently.

 

[Doug b]

SSN VET alliant claims none of it's powders need a mag primer.I've used Unique and 2400 in .357 mag. with both small pistol and small pistol mag.primers and found the win. small pistol to work best for me.