Which primer for Alliant 2400

[gojones]

Well, I got busy reloading some 357 mag the other day and failed to use magnum primers with Alliant 2400. My pet load is 14.6 grains of 2400, 158 grn Remington JHP, and CCI 550 primer. I had just gotten finished loading some 40 cal using the SP (CCI 500) and honestly did not change primers. I realized my mistake after loading 60 rounds of 357 magnum.

The Lyman 49th addition also calls for SP magnum primers with 2400. What can I expect if I just go ahead and shoot these for practice instead of pulling bullets, and etc. ?

 

[X-Ring]

What can I expect if I just go ahead and shoot these

It is not likely you will even notice any difference, especially with CCI primers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I hope this puts you at ease. 2400 has been used for ~100 years and for most of that time there were no such thing as magnum primers. I have found 2400 works better with standard primers over magnum primers anyway.

For the past 20 years or so all published load data uses a magnum primer in cartridges that have magnum in the name regardless of the powder used. When loading the same powder in a different cartridge, no magnum primer recommend. That makes no sense. Magnum primers are only necessary when loading slow, hard to ignite ball powders like W296/H110 and HS-6.

Your 60 rounds are just fine. Pay attention to the accuracy if those rounds. You just might find they are more accurate than ones loaded with magnum primers. Most times the SD numbers shrink too.

 

[TimSr]

Best to test them and find out. It's good information to have when you run out of something.

 

[SARuger]

I use WLP primers with my 2400/.44mag/240g loads. No issues!

 

[gojones]

I hope this puts you at ease. 2400 has been used for ~100 years and for most of that time there were no such thing as magnum primers. I have found 2400 works better with standard primers over magnum primers anyway.

For the past 20 years or so all published load data uses a magnum primer in cartridges that have magnum in the name regardless of the powder used. When loading the same powder in a different cartridge, no magnum primer recommend. That makes no sense. Magnum primers are only necessary when loading slow, hard to ignite ball powders like W296/H110 and HS-6.

Your 60 rounds are just fine. Pay attention to the accuracy if those rounds. You just might find they are more accurate than ones loaded with magnum primers. Most times the SD numbers shrink too.

Thanks for the response. I will definitely check the results against my notes. Good to know and appreciate all the responses.

 

[ants]

It's a different primer, so of course it makes a difference. But in most hands the difference may be undetectable.

It will shoot. But don't take them to the National Championship if you expect to win.

 

[rcmodel]

2400 is more consistent with standard primers then with Mag primers.

You done good!!

rc

 

[Schwing]

someone can correct me if I am wrong but, to my knowledge, Alliant doesn't produce any powders that call for magnum primers (at least with their load data).

I have never used magnum primers with 2400.

 

[rcmodel]

Mag primers came along after WWII when ball (spherical) powder was invented.

They were never needed before then.

Ball powder is harder to light off then flake or stick powders.

Bottom line is, if you aren't using ball powder, you don't need Mag primers.

rc

 

[Patocazador]

I always use magnum primers with 2400. Always have and have had zero problems.

 

[Walkalong]

I use nothing but standard primers with 2400.

 

[Average Joe]

Nothing will happen, they will all go bang.

 

[gojones]

Good to know, thanks again for the response. I guess I have just relied on the lyman manual for all these years and never experimented with standard primers before. The ball powder explanation makes a lot of sense. Yep, Alliant does not mention magnum primers.

 

[Fatelvis]

I chronoed several cast boolit loads in my 30-30, 303 Brit, and 30-40 using 2400. I found that using standard Fed LR primers resulted in consistently lower extreme spreads over Fed magnum LR primers. If that translates to handgun loads, I'm not sure, but the charge ranges were from 16-18.5grns., being in the same range as some magnum loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's a different primer, so of course it makes a difference. But in most hands the difference may be undetectable.

It will shoot. But don't take them to the National Championship if you expect to win.

I can't agree. Most times a standard primer will produce better accuracy and lower SD numbers with a standard primer. As said above, Alliant who distributes 2400 does not use a magnum primer with that powder in their load data.

 

[stubbicatt]

Never had an issue with standard primers and 2400

 

[Mad_Charlie]

I have used both with 2400, std primers gave me the most accurate loads, and I have run a LOT of 2400 in the last 40 years.

 

[buck460XVR]

This same discussion took place on another gun forum recently also. I had the time so I emailed Alliant(on their Ask the Expert link) to get what their expert's opinion on standard/magnum primers with 2400 was, and if there was any advantage or disadvantage of using either with it. I basically got a generic response(not once, but twice) that one should always follow tested load recipes to a tee and not deviate from listed components. They also told me while Alliant and Speer do not use magnum primers with 2400, that other tested loads do.(duh...). On their second response they told me that the bullet determines whether or not you use a magnum primer........

 

[Steve C]

This is what is written in the Speer No 13 manual regarding this issue:

 

[Reloadron]

Burning #12.

Ron

 

[joneb]

I do use stanard primers with 2400, but I have had good results with Federal 200 and 2400 in .357 mag. for cold weather.