Medium level loads with 2400 in the 357

[RU shooter]

My question is at about what level does 2400 start to burn efficiently in the 357 with a Lee 357 GC swc finished weight at 165 grs . I'm not looking for max loads but something in the 11-1200 fps range in a 4 inch barrel 686 12-14 grs ? Or would I be better off with unique in that speed range ?

Thanks Tim

[Ozark mike]

With any powder higher pressure creates heat and that helps in return to burn the individual grains of powder not caught by the flame front. 2400 does ok with reduced loads Unique will do better because it produces peak pressure sooner

[MrHarmless]

My Lyman Handbook says for a 160 Grain bullet, Starting load of 11.4 grains - 1024 fps, max load of 15.5 grains - 1344 fps. For 170 grain bullet, you're looking at starting 9.7 - 879 fps, max 13.5 - 1242.

You you start low and average the data, you'll find something in the ballpark.

[Rex]

I load a 358156 GC bullet over 12 grains of 2400. I like this load a lot. Yes, 7 grains of Unique will be very similar but I just like the 2400 load better and it isn't as sooty. Haven't run it over the Chrony yet but would guess about 1100-1150 from my 4" 686, That is just a guess though.

[Norske]

2400 is a shotgun powder, so will burn efficiently at low peak pressures. Unique (the only powder needed for 20 gauge loads) is even more efficient at low pressures.

[Hi-Speed]

I like 12 grs 2400 with any cast 158 gr SWC. Approx 1100 FPS from my Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 inch. However, I can almost get the same velocity with 6.2 grs Power Pistol (Handloader load) with same bullet in 38 Spl +P cases (for use only in 357 Magnum only)...more economic and such load has low ESs SDs.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

2400 is a shotgun powder, so will burn efficiently at low peak pressures. Unique (the only powder needed for 20 gauge loads) is even more efficient at low pressures.

According to Alliant's website, 2400 was originally developed for the 22 Hornet. But I've read that the 22 Hornet was created for 2400, LOL.

Back to the OP, 2400 would be my choice (over Unique) for that "heavy for caliber" boolit.

[Low Budget Shooter]

In my tests, velocity became very consistent once I got to 13 grains of 2400. 6.5 grains Unique gave very similar performance. Here are my results:

6" Barrel S&W 19-3
Federal 357 Cases
S&B SPP
80 degrees
359429 hollowpoint 160 grains

13.0 gr 2400 1117 fps average
-powder forward 1099, 1104, 1115
-powder rearward 1134, 1134 (yes, two different shots)

6.5 grains Unique 1105 fps average
-powder forward 1097, 1051
-powder rearward 1160, 1113

[RU shooter]

Thanks all . I'll start with 13 and see how it does if no joy I'll bump it up and see if things improve .

[dangitgriff]

I loaded some 158-grain SWC/HP in .38 SPCL cases with 3.5 grains of TiteGroup, haven’t tried them out yet, but if they shoot well that’s a stingy amount of powder for making plinking loads...2,000 rounds per pound.

[Larry Gibson]

RU Shooter

"what level does 2400 start to burn efficiently in the 357 "

I do not know with that Lee bullet but with a 158 - 162 gr Lyman 358156 The current lot of Alliant 2400 I have begins to burn efficiently at 24,000 to 25,000 psi in both the 38 SPL and the 357 magnum with WSP primers. That is based on the SD/ES of measured psi. That gets into the bottom end of 38/44 38 SPL loads.

[RU shooter]

Thank you Mr Gibsons sounds like that my needs should be in that range . I was reading about your 2400 test would this psi level of efficiency be similar for new Alliant and old batches of Herc.2400 in your opinion ? I have a few pounds of each in the cabinet .

[sniper]

Uhmmm...I tried the "Skeeter load" of 13.5 gr /2400/158 gr. SWC/ standard primer. Didn't like it very much at all atall...YMMV. found 11 gr. 2400 (new) was much more pleasant to shoot. I still like my old IPSC/do all load of 5.5-6.0 Unique/150-160 gr boolit for pleasant shooting, and adequate velocity.

[robg]

11.5 gr of 2400 gives good accuracy with pb boolits 13.5 with gas checks .for a nice pb load use 8 gr of true blue with a PB boolit .or 8.5 with gas check.

[dangitgriff]

Well, I learned how dirty and sooty TiteGroup is...but every round went bang and almost all on the 8” target at 7 yards, with a flyer here and there.

[sniper]

Nice-looking round! Wazzit a Hornady 158 gr. swaged SWCHP boolit?

[dangitgriff]

Nice-looking round! Wazzit a Hornady 158 gr. swaged SWCHP boolit?

Yes, it is...loaded right out of the box, I need to order some Lee Liquid Alox to tumble lube before loading but these shot very nice with just the factory lube.
I am paying attention to the OP’s received advice as well. I have some 2400 but it wasn’t working out for accuracy in either my 1894C or the .41 BH.