Please help with .357 and 2400

[rick300]

Lyman says start at 11.3 gns with 158 grn jhp max is 14.9 Speer says start at 13.8 with all of their 158 grn jacketed max is 14.8 I've got 158 grn magtech simi jacked soft point and cci primers. I'm thinking about starting at 11.5 gns and working up to 13.5. I just want some plinkers and I'll shoot them in my gp 100 6" What do you folks think about this? Thanks in advance. Rick

 

[rcmodel]

13.5 sounds fine to me.

You will not get a good clean burn with 2400 at anywhere near those listed starting loads though.

Alliant, who makes 2400, says 14.8 max with a 158 Gold-Dot.
A 10% reduction in that for a recommended starting load would be 13.3 and it would be safe with any 158 grain bullet.

In the end though, if you want good mid-range .357 Mag loads, you would probably be better served with Unique powder.

rc

 

[rick300]

Thanks RC, I'll up the start a bit. I saw the alliant info also 14.8 = 1265 fps. Like I said Just looking for a plinker. I've got unique on backorder but 2400 is here.

 

[something vague]

I load all my 158gr JSP's at 13.8 for all my general purpose target loads that I use for midrange target work. I find these to be very accurate at 50+ yards with a fairly snappy recoil. Not too bad though compared to my hunting loads of 14.3 gr. I would even trust these 13.8's for hunting and self defense any day as well, especially out of a 6"er. Work up to these loads.