Lee 310gr 44 Cal 2400 Loads needed.

[mcal762]

I been looking around and can't find too much data on the Lee 310gr FPGC 44 Magnum bullet with 2400 powder. I see some loads with W296.H110 at 21.5 and a standard primer that give good accuracy but would like to get some load data for 2400. I've tested 2400 at 16.0gr with the 310gr and it produced about 3" at 50 yds but I think it can do better. I saw some load data for a 300gr JHP for 19 gr of 2400 so I was thinking it would be safe to run 17-18.5 of 2400 with the 310 cast bullets. Thoughts....

shooting these loads in a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter..

Thanks...

[stubert]

Ruger revolvers have longer cylinders so you can seat the bullet out further. I have a Ruger Red Hawk that I seat the 310 Lee to 1.71 . I would start with 300 gr. jacket data and work up.

[mcal762]

Looks like they have listed 17-19 max 2400 for 300 gr JHP, my next test load is 17 gr of 2400. 16.0 2400 out of a SRH produced 1263 fps and 3" @ 50 yds. Looking for about 1"-1.5" at 50yds accuracy for this bullet. Thinking more velocity will stabilize the bullet better and produce more accurate results.

[waco]

216294

[mcal762]

Waco,
thanks for the post... good info.
Thanks

[mcal762]

I ran the 310gr over 17.0gr of 2400 which produced 3-5" @ 50yds.. velocity was 1165 fps..Not impressed... not sure how folks are getting 1300fps out of this bullet and staying in pressure specs with W296 and 2400..
thanks

[murf205]

I ran the 310gr over 17.0gr of 2400 which produced 3-5" @ 50yds.. velocity was 1165 fps..Not impressed... not sure how folks are getting 1300fps out of this bullet and staying in pressure specs with W296 and 2400..
thanks
What gun are you using? I am getting over 1300fps with H110 but I am cheating-using a 9" Super R'Hawk .It is the one load that really puts the 9" barrel to work.

[Frank V]

waco, thanks for posting that Lee data.

[waco]

You are welcome.

[mcal762]

I'm shooting a Ruger Super Black Hawk Hunter 7.5" barrel.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

You may find more accuracy with 110 or 296 powder. 2400 is nice to work with though.

[murf205]

That Super Blackhawk Hunter should give you high 1200 FPS speeds with H110. Believe me, when you find the accuracy, there is no need to run it any faster than that. It will shoot through a T-Rex at slower speeds that. Keep us posted and good luck

[dsayer]

216294

Waco,
Thanks for posting this. Is the chart from the Lee Modern Reloading Manual?

[dsayer]

That Super Blackhawk Hunter should give you high 1200 FPS speeds with H110. Believe me, when you find the accuracy, there is no need to run it any faster than that. It will shoot through a T-Rex at slower speeds that. Keep us posted and good luck

Exited to try this as I have the same gun as the mcal762, am considering buying the Lee 310gr mold, and already have a stock of W296 on my bench.

[reloader28]

Waco,
Thanks for posting this. Is the chart from the Lee Modern Reloading Manual?



This is from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition

[dsayer]

This is from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition

Thank you!

[Bookworm]

Exited to try this as I have the same gun as the mcal762, am considering buying the Lee 310gr mold, and already have a stock of W296 on my bench.

I was thinking the same thing.

I have the 9.5" SRH and a handful of the big Lee 310's.

And every single one of the powders listed.....

[mcal762]

Ran the 310gr with gas check today (other loads did not have GC) with 21.5 gr w 296 CCI 300 and it produced 2"@ 50 yds velocity was 1210fps... not bad!!

Also ran 240gr lswc over 24.0 gr of w296 and a cci 300 produced 2"@ 50 yds velocity as 1460 fps!!! Yeah very impressed with that load!!

All shot with Ruger SBH hunter with Millet SP-1 red dot off bag...

[murf205]

It looks like all you need now is a sharp shinning knife!

[winelover]

FWIW, I ran some ladder loads out of my Marlin 1894 carbine, the other day. Bullet was RCBS 300 grain hollow point. Conversion done by Eric. One GC & one PB cavity. Velocities determined with a Lab Radar unit. Once fired R/P yellow brass, WLP primer. This data is from the PB bullet. Alloy is three parts pure to one part lino...... @ 11 BHN.

17.0 grains of 2400 (1522, 1517, 1521, 1525, 1520 fps)

17.5 grains of 2400 (1542, 1542, 1544, 1533, 1566 fps)

18.0 grains of 2400 (1575, 1573, 1583, 1598, 1578 fps)

Need to check barrel with bore scope to check for leading, before proceeding to higher velocities with the GC version of that bullet.


Winelover

[DougGuy]

Comparing velocities from a 20" carbine and a 7.5" SBH is pointless.

[winelover]

Might be pointless to you.....not everyone owns a SBH, anyways. I happen to own a very early production RH, these loads are safe in it. You just won't realize those same velocities. They will be hundreds of FPS slower. How many loading manuals even include data for carbines? Or the even velocity levels, one can expect. Few members have access to chronographs. Just maybe, they might be interested. What about those that own a revolver and complementing chambered carbine?

BTW, I did start off my first post with FWIW.

Winelover

[mcal762]

Taken from the Hodgdon loading page:

Bullet Weight
325 GR. BTB LFN GC
.430
Winchester 296

Starting Loads 20.0 gr 1,264 30,800 CUP
Maximum Loads 22.0 gr 1,368 38,100 CUP

I'm running W296 21.5 gr and grouped pretty well 2 inches at 50 yds, might try 22.0 to see if the group tightens up anymore. there was no pressure issues and cases ejected easily. My lee cast bullets come it right at 314-16 gr with the GC and lube, seating on the second crimp grove, CCI 300. Recoil is pretty stiff.

[hornady308]

I use 15.5gr 2400 with the Lee 310 crimped in the top groove. Not a max load, but accurate and effective.

[mcal762]

Tested the W296 22.0 gr load with the 310gr bullet and it produced approx. 3 inches at 50yds from both SRH and SBH Hunter.
Looks like the W296 21.5gr load will be the load to run in these guns. I don't feel safe going any higher on the powder charge. 22.0 is max.

[dsayer]

Tested the W296 22.0 gr load with the 310gr bullet and it produced approx. 3 inches at 50yds from both SRH and SBH Hunter.
Looks like the W296 21.5gr load will be the load to run in these guns. I don't feel safe going any higher on the powder charge. 22.0 is max.

Thanks for posting your range reports! 2in at 50 yards is more than respectable IMO.

[Frank V]

I've shot a 300gr load in a friends S&W 629, the light one & wow it gets your attention.;-)

[guntechholsters]

Good info. I use a redhawk and marlin 1894 and I learned some from y'all, it seems a rifle gains about 300fps avg over revolver.
Seems the h110 can go a little hotter than what my book says..

[mcal762]

a lot of the reloading books are on the light side on max loads; I'm sure its a liability issue. I retested the W296 21.5 load at 25yds off a solid rest and got about a 1/2" group pretty impressive. But at that range if you shoot a 240gr or 310gr bullet whatever gets hit will not know the difference! I would feel around 50yds would be about my max range with a pistol most shots where I live are less that 40yds in the woods..

[725]

Thanks for the data, winelover. Glad to get it.