I like 2400 a lot but...

[jrayborn]

I do love 2400, its currently my favorite pistol powder, but I cannot seem to get it to burn completely. I don't mind the fact that it does not all burn other than I keep getting bits under the extractor star and it makes closing the revolver impossible.

So, I have tried a mean crimp, and mag primers with no real improvement. The load I shoot the most is 10 grains under a 120 grain cast boolit in .327 Mag brass. There is not a lot of published data for this round but I believe I am 1-2 or possibly as much as 3 grains under max, but accuracy (for me) is right there.

I have the same issue in .357 mag at 12 grains under a 168 grain boolit.

I'd love any hints you guys may have?

[44MAG#1]

If you will turn the revolver with the barrel straight up when you eject the cases you won't have any problem with the powder.
The only time I have ever had problems (just a few in many . many years) has been when the barrel has been held either horizontal or with the barrel pointed somewhat downward when ejecting.

[PacMan]

2400 really needs a standard primer. Also you may need to increase the load a little to get it to burn completly. One more thought is that increasing crimp most likely wont help much but incresing neck tension/ grip on bullet will raise presure slightly helping to burn better.

[jrayborn]

You know, 44MAG#1, I do eject the cases in a mostly horizontal attitude. Simply holding the revolver vertical is such an obvious solution that I actually broke out laughing as I read the response. Thank You!!

[Alan]

I also like #2400 for "medium" loads. #358429 and 8 gr. is a GREAT accuracy load, and all the way up to 10 is safe in any modern medium frame revolver. A lot of steam and really accurate.

And 2nd the motion on the vertical barrel. I don't care how dirty it burns as long as I get the results I want.

One think I did learn w/ my first .357 Blackhawk and WW296 is that if you want complete combustion, you want NEW brass. I always bought new WW cases, trimmed them, and seated the #358429 to the crimp grove over 15.2 grains. ##WARNING## that is from memory.!!! You could clearly see the drive bands on the outside of the case. After 5 reloads, you could no longer see the drive bands, and velocity had dropped off to the point that POI was about 2-3" higher than the first loading. Accuracy had also dropped off a bit too. I then tossed those cases into the practice bin and bought some more. That gun and load was pretty consistent in 1.5-2" groups at 50 yards. (hey, I had 20 year old eyes then)

[MtGun44]

Switch to Unique for medium loads.

Bill

[jrayborn]

Thanks Bill, I am a big fan of Unique as well. I mostly use it in .45 Colt, ACP, 9mm, .38 Special, .38 S&W, and some in .40 Cal. But in .327 and .357 I have had far better luck with 2400.

[lbaize3]

I like a heavy load of AA#9 pushing my 115gr. cast boolits for my 327 revolvers. Very clean burning and excellent velocity.

[jrayborn]

I have a jug of #9 sitting on the shelf right now, just haven't got around to trying it yet. I will though..

[MGySgt]

Even with Unique you still need to point the barrel up when you press the extractor! Trust me I know! I shoot a lot of it in my 625 with 45 ACP's in moon clips.

[SkookumJeff]

I also like #2400 for "medium" loads. #358429 and 8 gr. is a GREAT accuracy load, and all the way up to 10 is safe in any modern medium frame revolver. A lot of steam and really accurate.

And 2nd the motion on the vertical barrel. I don't care how dirty it burns as long as I get the results I want.

One think I did learn w/ my first .357 Blackhawk and WW296 is that if you want complete combustion, you want NEW brass. I always bought new WW cases, trimmed them, and seated the #358429 to the crimp grove over 15.2 grains. ##WARNING## that is from memory.!!! You could clearly see the drive bands on the outside of the case. After 5 reloads, you could no longer see the drive bands, and velocity had dropped off to the point that POI was about 2-3" higher than the first loading. Accuracy had also dropped off a bit too. I then tossed those cases into the practice bin and bought some more. That gun and load was pretty consistent in 1.5-2" groups at 50 yards. (hey, I had 20 year old eyes then)

Could it be that your accuracy was dropping off because the cases were getting more and more brittle after each loading and would have benefited from annealing to bring them back to the correct temper?

[Alan]

Could it be that your accuracy was dropping off because the cases were getting more and more brittle after each loading and would have benefited from annealing to bring them back to the correct temper?

I think that was EXACTLY what the problem was. I just didn't know enough to anneal the cases. And the old cases worked fine for practice loads w/ Unique. It also shot to POA with 4.6 gr of WW 231 and that same bullet at 50 yards. I traded that gun off later because it was so stinking heavy to carry on the hip all day. I have been kicking myself ever since. It was a 6 1/2" SS 200th Anniversary model, too.:killingpc

[Mal Paso]

Thanks Bill, I am a big fan of Unique as well. I mostly use it in .45 Colt, ACP, 9mm, .38 Special, .38 S&W, and some in .40 Cal. But in .327 and .357 I have had far better luck with 2400.

2400 burns better in a full case. Try loading special cases. If they don't shoot as well as Magnums check for tight Cylinder Throats.

I cut my split 44 Mag cases down to Specials and load with 14 gr of 2400 behind a 260 gr Keith. Great load for metal targets.