My new .357 mag load with 2400.

[geo57]

When I first started loading the .357 mag in the mid 70's, I used 2400 with 110 gr. JHP's loaded to about the max. As the years passed, I switched to 158 gr. JHP's and Red Dot, Unique, and Blue Dot in moderate to moderately heavy loads. The two faster powders gave good, consistent, moderate loads, but watered down velocities. Blue Dot gave acceptable to me velocity, but at times also gave inconsistent results & lots of blast. Mag primers were used for all because my manual data at the time called for them.
Recently, I again bought a pound of 2400, and wanting a moderately heavy load, but one with less than one at full throttle with a 158 gr. JHP , I tried, and have for now, setted on 13.5 grs with a WSP standard primer. From my 4 " bbl. GP100, it gives in double action mode, very managable recoil & blast, a pleasing " bark ", & good accuracy. It also seems to burn very cleanly, leaving very little unburned powder residue. I haven't clocked it yet, but it should be in the 1150 fps ballpark, which is what I desire. Do any of you use a similar load with 2400 in your .357 mag loads at about 90 % max ? Thanks.

 

[psyshack]

I use max loads of 2400 and H-110 in my 4" 686p with 125, 140 and 158gn. XTP's. I don't download the mag ammo at all. Thats what .38+p is for.

The 2400 shoots a tad softer and has more of a thud report. H-110 is a tad more crisp in the recoil dept. With more of a industrial crack of a report as heard through muffs or plugs.

As a matter of fact I picked up a fresh 100 lot of win .357 (new) brass yesterday. After I get back from this business trip I have to leave for today. ( fixing a worthless college boy screw up ) I will be loading up a 100ea 158gr XTP'S with 50/50 mix of 2400 and H-110.

 

[Wil Terry]

YES.
Usually in 38SPL brass though as they always shot better in the dozens of guns I've tested. In the 357MAG nothing has outshot 14.5GR of 2400 in the vast majority of those same 357MAG sixguns with 150 to 160 grain bullets, always with standard small pistol primers. The small pistol mag primers do squirrelly things with 2400.
I would be surprised if the load you mention is only 1150FPS unless you have one mighty slow GP100 4".

 

[rcmodel]

I have used 14.5 grains 2400 with a 140 XTP, and 14.0 with a 158 XTP for the last 40 years or so.

It's not max, but it will Get-R-Done without beating my K-Frame S&W's to death doing it.

Do Not use Mag primers with 2400.

rc

 

[mrbro]

13.5g 2400, Rem standard primers and 158g LSWC is my go to 357 load. Back in the 70s Sierra used to make a 150 JHC that I loaded over 15.3g of 2400, that was a sweet load.

 

[DC Plumber]

I too favor 2400 in my .357. I know H110 or 296 give top velocity, but I like the versatility of 2400. I use 14.5g of 2400 with 158g GDHP and JHP XTP bullets with standard primers. I shoot them out of my 4" 586. If I need more gun I go get my model 29.

 

[USSR]

13.5gr of 2400 behind a hard cast 170gr Lyman 358429.

Don

 

[hancjamk]

14.5gr 2400 158gr. JHP CCI 550. Old S&W 66 pin barrel. It has the most massive, blinding, attention getting muzzle blast I've ever seen. Other than that, it’s accurate…

 

[_N4Z_]

I have had very good results with 13.5gr 2400 and the MBC 158gr RNFP in my GP100. Not tried that level with jacketed, usually go 14+ grains for a 158 jsp/jhp. Standard primers.

 

[hancjamk]

Why not to use mag primers with 2400?

 

[Steve C]

I load the 158gr jacketed bullets on top of 14.0 grs of 2400 lit by a standard small pistol primer they duplicate factory ballistics from my 4" revolver @ an average velocity of 1,243 fps.

Why not to use mag primers with 2400?

2400 lights easily and doesn't need magnum primers to reliably ignite like ball powders. The later Speer data (#13 and later) notes that magnum primers dramatically increase pressure with 2400 and Viht N110 and only recommend standard primers. Many years ago (mid 1970"s) using CCi magnum primers as recommended in the Speer #10 manual I got high pressure signs, pierced and cratered primers, using 13.8grs of 2400 behind Speer 158gr JHP's.

 

[ljnowell]

I use 14.5gr of 2400 under a Missouri Bullet 158gr swc.

 

[geo57]

Thanks for all the imput guys.

Psyshack, this .357 mag load using 2400 I speak of is stouter than any recommended .38 SPL + P offering that I have manual data for by a large margin.

Hancjamk, the current Alliant & Speer manuals use standard primers with 2400 load data, so that is what I used. It seems to light them off well and as stated, I get a consistently efficient burn even with this less than max load.

I sought a load using these ingrediants that had a balance of being very accurate & managable in double action mode with fast followups and with one in this power level.

 

[Jeff H]

I use 14.5gr of 2400 under a Missouri Bullet 158gr swc.

+1 Good load.

 

[amlevin]

My favorite load for a .357 686 with 6" bbl that I used to own was 17.7 gr of 2400 under a hornady 125 gr JHP.

That load let you know it meant business by giving your hand a good slap yet it was accurate enough to make little cloverleaf's at 100 yards.

Never did chronograph the load but Alliant claims a load .2 gr less is capable of doing 1400 fps.

Darn, I sure miss that pistol. Sold it in a moment of insanity or stupidity (maybe both).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I use 2400 the charge is 14.5gr under a 158gr bullet and I use a standard SP primer. (either Winchester or CCI)

 

[Hanshi]

For use when the mostest is needed, I like 15.0 grains of 2400 with ether a 155 grain or 165 grain GCSWC. I get from 1420 to near 1500fps depending on the revolver. My usual load, however, is lighter yet powerful. 12.5 grains 2400 with the same bullets gives 1150 fps in most of my guns. Both are accurate.

 

[hancjamk]

My Sierra book notes cci 550 for all 357 loading data and notes with (*) cci 550 for 38 special when using HS-6, Blue Dot, 2400 and 296.

 

[Dewey 68]

Not to hijack the thread, but when I bought my GP100 I bought a pound of 2400 and WMP primers because that's what my Sierra manual called for when using 2400. Currently I reload for 9mm, 38 special, and will reload .357 when I run through a few more at the range to get the brass.

Can someone recommend another powder for .357 magnum loads that would use the magnum primers? I was going to use them and back down on my powder but it sounds like I should avoid using them with 2400 after reading the information above. My .357 load was going to be 13.5 grains of 2400 behind a MBC 158 grain SWC.

Thanks all!

 

[Bula]

Dewey, look into H110/W296.

2400 is my favorite light mag to full mag level powder. +1 on the 13.5g under a Lyman 358429, that is a great load. My only mag level .357 powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you do try W296/H110 be aware you shouldn't download the loads. Full pressure is the name of the game with those powders and a magnum primer and stiff crimp too.

You can use the magnum primers with 2400. You just won't get the optimum results with them but they will surely work. No reason to change powders unless you want to.

 

[Dewey 68]

Thanks for the info Bula and Archangel. I may pick up a pound of W 296 the next time I'm out. No more than I shoot .357 magnum rounds a pound will last me a long time. I love shooting the 148 grain WC with 2.8 grains of Bullseye in the GP100, such a fun cartridge to shoot. Accurate and easy on the hands.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Magnum lite

For fun .357 shooting I like 12.0 grains of #2400 under a 158 grain MBC SWC. Velocity average is 1115 fps from a 4" S&W model 28 N-frame. ES = 29 fps. It is also pleasant enough in a S&W K-frame 66. You could call this load .38 Special +P+ in a .357 case.

If I wanted to go "loaded for bear" I would bump it up to 14.0 grains of 2400 for a MV of 1240 fps. My 1967 Pacific Cartridge Reloading Manual lists 15.0 as max giving 1435 fps, barrel length and primer type not indicated, but I have not tried it.

PS. FWIW both Speer #9 and #12 manuals recommend CCI 550 magnum primers for #2400 powder which is what I used in the above chronograph data.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

PS. FWIW both Speer #9 and #12 manuals recommend CCI 550 magnum primers for #2400 powder which is what I used in the above chronograph data.

That's odd. I wish load data from various sources was more uniform. My Speers #14 says not to use mag primers with 2400 (page 892)

 

[Dewey 68]

Speer #12 is the one I have.