using 2400 and 125 gr. JSP for .357........

[Doogy]

when using 2400 as a powder for loading 125 gr. JSPs for the .357 magnum, what is your "recipe"?

thanks!

 

[ljnowell]

I like 16.3gr of 2400 under a 125gr JHP. also like to back it down to 15.5 for target shooting.

 

[fourdollarbill]

16 gr 2400 (mag primer) + 125 gr JSP (Sierra) + 1894C = a very accurate 120 yd brick buster.
The 2400 and H110 powders mixed with 125 gr bullets is the very best for 357 mag IMO.
I would use the 2400 if I had to choose.

 

[Slamfire]

Before cheap affordable chronographs were on the market I shot a lot of 125's at what was then a magnum load of 17.5 grains 2400.

Data since then has been toned down.

Two things about 125's and magnum loads. The muzzle blast is horrible and it will really cause some top strap etching.

 

[RVenick]

I know what you mean about the muzzle flash. The guys at the range loved it when I used to shoot my GP100 loaded with 2400. The fireball was as big as a basketball. I use Power Pistol now for the GP100. I still load 2400 occassionally for the 1894.

 

[Runningman]

I always got much better accuracy out of the 140 gr bullets in the 357 than 125 gr bullets.

 

[fjlee]

I've been experimenting with 2400 with Winchester 125 gr. JHP bullets, WW brass, and Federal SP Mag primers. Firm roll crimp. This combo is going to eventually be my SD/HD load used in a 4 inch Ruger GP100.

I'm starting low....14.0 grains......and working my way up, to determine a good balance between velocity and accuracy. 14.0 grains of 2400 is a "soft" load. 15.0 grains has noticeably more "snap". Cleaner burn, too. Slightly tighter groups, also. I suspect, based on my experience so far, that eventually I'l settle on using 16.0 up to maybe 17.5 grains of 2400 as my "final" SD/HD load.

FjLee Denver CO

 

[ljnowell]

I'l settle on using 16.0 up to maybe 17.5 grains of 2400 as my "final" SD/HD load.

17.5 would be a hot load indeed. Thats still the published max on the alliant web site, for a 125gr Gold Dot. I have loaded almost up to it, for the heck of it. I settled back around 16.3gr. I couldnt see the need for that much flash and bang.

 

[fjlee]

17.5 would be a hot load indeed. Thats still the published max on the alliant web site, for a 125gr Gold Dot. I have loaded almost up to it, for the heck of it. I settled back around 16.3gr. I couldnt see the need for that much flash and bang.

I think 17.5 gr. of 2400 with a 125 gr JHP bullet would indeed be "brisk". Some manuals call it a max load. Some manuals keep on going......to a max of 19.5 grains!!! I can't even get 19.5 grains of 2400 into a WW case, and still seat my bullet!! The most I can get in there and seat my bullet is 18.5 grains.

The 1978 Lyman manual lists 17.7 gr. 2400 as MAX. The 1980 Hornady book lists 18.2 gr. as MAX. Speer manuals #8 and #10 both list 19.5 gr. as MAX. Sierra 1978 shows MAX as being 19.0 gr. The 1990 Hercules and the 1995 Alliant book shows 17.6 gr. as MAX.

Me.......I started at 14.0 grains of 2400.......and I'm increasing my 2400 charges real slow and careful. I don't want any unpleasant surprises, regardless of what some of the published MAX levels might be.

I also experimented with Blue Dot & 125 gr. JHP....., but just didn't like the "feel" of my experiences with it, so for the time being have put Blue Dot at the back of the powder cabinet.

FjLee Denver CO

 

[Starter52]

15.5 of 2400 has been my 125 gr. load for years. I keep it away from my K-frame guns, but it's OK for everything bigger. A good, accurate load.

 

[sniper5]

17 grains of 2400 under a 125 gr. Hornady XTP. Although I've had pretty good luck also with 22 gr of H110/W296 under a 125 gr. XTP. This is out of a 6 inch Ruger GP100.

 

[HOWARD J]

Most of my old manuals show 17.5 to about 19 gr of 2400 for max.
I have shot a lot at 18 gr---lot of noise & flame out of GP 100 4 & 6"
I have cut back to about 16 gr.
I save the big blast for my 30 Carbine Blackhawk. Rock the building...................

 

[ljnowell]

Most of my old manuals show 17.5 to about 19 gr of 2400 for max.
I have shot a lot at 18 gr---lot of noise & flame out of GP 100 4 & 6"
I have cut back to about 16 gr.
I save the big blast for my 30 Carbine Blackhawk. Rock the building...................

Yep, those are definately rather warm.

 

[HOWARD J]

I notice that when I check a lot of loads from old to new manuals--the loads are cut down----Don't they build guns as well today as the old days ??
Just wondering...................