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