16.0 grs. 2400

[Ben]

A year ago, my friend Bryan wasn't even loading or shooting cast bullets. During the past several weeks, he has really taken a keen interest in shooting .30 cal. cast bullets in his 30-06 Springfield and his .308 Win. He has also made a decision to become a forum member here on CastBoolits.

He has come A LONG WAY in 1 year with his understanding of loading and shooting cast bullets.

Today he was shooting the " Gold Standard .30 cal. load " of 16.0 grs. of 2400 in his 30-06 , 1917 ,Enfield, Win. ,Sporter with 3 different bullet styles, all sized .310, all primed with Win. Large pistol primers.

He fired 20 rounds at 100 yards. I've taught him to shoot 5 round groups with a particular bullet style , propellant charge, primer, etc. and record his data so that he can repeat the results of a 5 round row of ammo that shows promise. Today he fired 4 rows of 5, all 20 rounds fired on the same target. I thought that his group was pretty impressive considering he was using 311290's, 311284's and Lee 200 gr. RN bullets , all mixed in the 20 round group using the 16.0 gr. charge of 2400.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/1121121237.jpg

Here is a photo of Bryan shooting his 1917 Win. Enfield , 06' , sporter rifle :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0748.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Win%201917%20Enfield%20Sporter/DSCN0508.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Win%201917%20Enfield%20Sporter/DSCN0505.jpg

[nanuk]

nice

probably helped that he was shooting the "Right" way

[winelover]

nice

probably helped that he was shooting the "Right" way

Looks like the "right" way to me! Great shooting, BTW.

Winelover

[Longone]

Good shooting for someone doing it from the wrong side. BTW, he needs to come up a couple of clicks on the rear sight of the stapler too.

[Lefty SRH]

Very nice group.

[Jim]

Well, what do you expect? The man's shooting from the correct side! :bigsmyl2:

[RU shooter]

Good shooting and good load. Thats sorta the way my 03A3 is with 17.5 grs it will shoot any of my 5 different 30 cal bullets with about the same accuracy.

[ShooterAZ]

I am shooting from the left side as well, due to loss of vision in the right eye in 2003. That was quite an adjustment for me, but I did manage to overcome it. I am a another shooter who swears by 16 grains of 2400 in the 30-06. It flat works. Believe it or not I am getting groups similar to that with a Remington 1903 Springfield with the original iron sights with that load. Another load that shoots almost as well for me is 13 grains of Red Dot...another "gold standard" if you will, both proven loads.

[Ben]

If I tried to shoot 3 different bullet weights in a .30 cal. rifle into one group @ 100 yards like Bryan did , they would have gone all over H*ll and 1/2 of Georgia.

Ben

[Jack Stanley]

Well, what do you expect? The man's shooting from the correct side! :bigsmyl2:

Yeah , that and the fact he's using his right mind .

Jack [smilie=s:

[kbstenberg]

Hey guys I have tried mentoring those that shoot on the wrong side for a long time. There mind just can't handle the change! Left is right and right is wrong.

[ShooterAZ]

If I tried to shoot 3 different bullet weights in a .30 cal. rifle into one group @ 100 yards like Bryan did , they would have gone all over H*ll and 1/2 of Georgia.

Ben

Yes, that is impressive grouping for sure. It speaks volumes about consistency...with both the load(s) and the shooter.

[**oneshot**]

Nice when a plan comes together. Now he can go from chucks to deer and never have to change his sights, that is awesome.

[Ben]

Right now Bryan only has 1 can of powder on his bench ( 2400 ), of course if he keeps shooting groups like this with his rifle, this may be all he will want to invest his $$$ in right now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/1121121237.jpg

It is still all a bit " new " to him right now.

When he is over here at my place, I'm always talking about trying out 291's, 290's, 284's, 301's and 315's.

I have to remember that those numbers mean a lot to me but to a new cast bullet shooter that kind of verb-age just doesn't mean a lot ( at least right now ).

However , he is coming along quickly !

[Wolfer]

Anytime I get a new gun ( assuming its a full size rifle ) the first load I shoot is 16 gr 2400.
It's rarely my best load but it's always a good one.
This should be the starting load for a beginner so that they don't get discouraged.
I know several people who bought some cast and loaded them over their same load that they use for jacketed and then just give up.

[Ben]

I know several people who bought some cast and loaded them over their same load that they use for jacketed and then just give up.

" Newbies " just don't seem to be able to understand that jacketed bullet reloading data and cast bullet reloading data are 2 completely different horses.

[btroj]

Nice looking group Ben.

16 gr is a good load for many 30 cal cartridges. I have shot many rounds of 30-30 with that load.

I do need to harass you a bit, he only hit the paper plate twice!

[Lefty SRH]

I have a can of 2400 on my shelf that didn't impress me in .357mag. I guess I found another use for it.

[btroj]

Lefty, 2400 is my most used rifle powder with cast bullets. It may not always give the best results but it almost always gives very acceptable results. I have used it in 30-30, 308 win, 30-03, 270 Win, 45-70 and 375 H&H. I know my father in law uses it in that many more cartridges.
I use far more 2400 in cast loads for rifles than any other powder. I buy 2400 in 4 or 8 pounds containers, most others are bout a pound at a time.

[Lefty SRH]

What recipes do you use for .308? I have a 180gr mold coming and some samples form other molds a friend has mailed me.

[phaessler]

Nice group!!! And glad to see another guy shooting from the correct side, although arguable by the bolt placement on all my rifles..lol Its tough to be a lefty at times, everyone has tried to change me, and all it di was make me more adaptable hunting.
Pete

[zomby woof]

I use cast in my 30.06 for Highpower practice. While 2400 worked fine for accuracy in my 30.06, it is too little recoil. When I tried to up the velocity with 2400, I got sideways boolits. I've since switched to slower powder, Varget 4895 etc... While it is much slower loading, especially with the addition of Dacron, the recoil was much closer to the real thing.

[Lefty SRH]

What kind of velocity are you guys getting with 2400?

[StratsMan]

While 2400 worked fine for accuracy in my 30.06, it is too little recoil.

OK, now I have GOT to get some 2400 and load up some big boolits in my '06....

[ShooterAZ]

What recipes do you use for .308? I have a 180gr mold coming and some samples form other molds a friend has mailed me.

The recipe for 308 would be....16 grains of 2400. It works well in most military 30 cal cases 303 Brit, 308, 7.62x54R 30-06,etc.

[Lefty SRH]

I'm gonna try it!

[ShooterAZ]

Lefty,

It won't cycle in semi-auto rifles, but sure is sweet shooting in bolt guns.

[Lefty SRH]

Fine by me, all my .308s are bolt guns anyway.... :)

[btroj]

I find 2400 works beat in rifles in the 1600 to 1800 fps window. There are exceptions like 45-70 where it does well at 1350 too but that is not the norm.

I tend to determine what velocity window I am looking for and Taylor the powder choice to that window. 2400 works well for me because I don't look for speeds over 1800 very often.

While 2400 can, in some cases, give speeds over 1800 I don't like Thai powder for those applications. Pressure gets high, the bullet gets a hefty thump on ignition, and I find accuracy isn't as good. I prefer RE7 or 4895 for those situations.

[1Shirt]

I find 16 gr of 2400 a good starting load for any of the 30's, and work up from there. Have had good luck and accuracy (with some rifles) up to 2000, but in general best accuracy was between the 1600-1800 level.
1Shirt!

[Three44s]

......... ah, Ben has been busy!! ........... and that's always good!!!

Good job sir!!

BTW, Brian is shooting from the right side! He's to the right of his rifle!!!


Three 44s

[Lefty SRH]

I find 2400 works beat in rifles in the 1600 to 1800 fps window. There are exceptions like 45-70 where it does well at 1350 too but that is not the norm.

I tend to determine what velocity window I am looking for and Taylor the powder choice to that window. 2400 works well for me because I don't look for speeds over 1800 very often.

While 2400 can, in some cases, give speeds over 1800 I don't like Thai powder for those applications. Pressure gets high, the bullet gets a hefty thump on ignition, and I find accuracy isn't as good. I prefer RE7 or 4895 for those situations.

I don't meant to get off the .30cal track here but is there any experience with using 2400 in 7x57?

[TCTex]

I just looked in my Lyman book and I think I am going to try 2400 in my 35 Whelen. What is the worst that could happen, it doesn't shoot... LOL


Oh, yes. For the record, this is the correct way to shoot IMHO...


54326


Having fun on the forum,


Duane

[smoked turkey]

Ben, your friend has come a long way. I believe this underlines the importance of good mentoring. While on that subject when do you think we could get together for my mentoring lesson. I would like to shoot a group like that!

[Ben]

While on that subject when do you think we could get together for my mentoring lesson.

Am I coming to you or you coming to me ?

I'm like Delta Airlines ...." I'm ready when you are ".

Ben

[Catshooter]

Good for you Ben. I bet he's tickled pink!


Cat

[gandydancer]

I used to be left handed and shot that way at about 5 years old with a single shot winchester with my uncle he had to cock it for me. but then I started school. and the NUNS showed me the error of my ways. and ended up with a stutter and shooting the CORRECT way. my mom took me out after one year. I now shoot handguns left handed and rifle right handed. I no longer stutter. GD

[smoked turkey]

Ben it would be worth the drive for me from MO to AL Just to spend an afternoon with you. Thanks.
Stan

[iwottopq]

Hello to all.
I have read on another forum that the 2400 powder is the same (+ or -) of the Vihtavuori N-110 and it is possible to use the same charge in the same caliber. Is it true???
This becouse the 2400 powder in Italy is impossible to find.
Thamks in advance.
Nino

[Longone]

Nino,

On the burn rate chart I use the two powders are very close so it would make you want to say yes. But, all powders react different so I would first suggest a call or e-mail to Vihta Vuori and run it buy them. Better safe than sorry.

[another gunslinger]

Hello to all.
I have read on another forum that the 2400 powder is the same (+ or -) of the Vihtavuori N-110 and it is possible to use the same charge in the same caliber. Is it true???
This becouse the 2400 powder in Italy is impossible to find.
Thamks in advance.
Nino

ironic, i think 2400 is made on your side of the pond, along with a lot of Alliants other powders, right? Sweeden or Norway or something Scandanavian like that. maybe that is just their "rifle" powders, don't recall. Good to see a couple fellow leftys on the site too!

I prefer to have the bolt on the left side of the rifle, but as most of my guns are levers, it really doesn't matter a whole lot except my older Savage 99 with the slide safety on the wrong side...

[Wolfer]

Lefty
All my guns start losing accuracy a little above 1700 fps
30-30 311041. 17 grs
30-06. 311041. 20 grs
7x57. 168 RCBS 16 grs = 1500 fps
8x57. Lee 175. 17 grs
30-40. 311041. Have only tried 16 grs, haven't run it over the chrony yet or tried to go higher. Very accurate and pleasent to shoot
Killed two deer with the 30-06 this year and see no reason to try to go faster at this time.

[LongPoint]

Do you guys use a filler with 2400 in the larger cases such as 3006? I have used 2400 in the 30-30 and the .357 Win without fillers but haven't tried it in the 06 or 308. Thanks.

LongPoint

[btroj]

I have used it both with and without filler. I do get better consistency with a filler, even in 30-30. I find I need to back off a grain or so to keep velocity and pressure the same when adding a filler.

[nanuk]

Well, what do you expect? The man's shooting from the correct side! :bigsmyl2:

^^^^ +1

[Wolfer]

Picked up a jug of 2400 yesterday, says made in USA at the bottom of the jug.

[nanuk]

I think rifles were designed with a purpose in mind.

if you shoot from the right shoulder, as the gun was designed, it throws the brass away from you

BUT, shooting from the left shoulder, I find it easier to manipulate the bolt with my right hand, and catch the brass

and it isn't that much slower. If I need faster follow up shots, I'd buy another Rem6 or 760 or 7600....

but as I now hunt with a single shot, I find it is usually not necessary. I can get two off about as fast as my hunting partners can get off two also.

[TCTex]

but as I now hunt with a single shot, I find it is usually not necessary. I can get two off about as fast as my hunting partners can get off two also.

Yes sir, With a little practice a single shot shooter is really not at a disadvantage.


With that in mind, I am anxious to try 2400 in my 16.5 Encore chambered in 35 Whelen...


Duane

[1Shirt]

Have 3 #1s, and a #3, and wish all of my rifles were #1's and #3's. Alas & Alack, have all that I can afford. All are more accurate than I am, and when hunting, it is shot placement, not number of shots that count. Have shot 2400 w/cast in all of them, and with the excepting of the #3 KHornet, all shoot very well. Am yet to find the magic amount for the K, so will probably stay with H-110 for it.
1Shirt

[Lefty SRH]

I have used it both with and without filler. I do get better consistency with a filler, even in 30-30. I find I need to back off a grain or so to keep velocity and pressure the same when adding a filler.

What do you use as a filler? Where do you buy the filler?

[Jim]

What do you use as a filler? Where do you buy the filler?

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/HowTo/Kapok.pdf

[btroj]

Go to a fabric store or even Walmart. Get a bag of polyester fiber filler for pillows.
It isn't tamped down on the powder, it isut just inside the case mouth so the bullet finished pushing it into the case. It doesn't really "fill" anything but rather positions the powder firmly against the primer. All it does is make ignition more uniform.

[JLDickmon]

Good shooting for someone doing it from the wrong side. BTW, he needs to come up a couple of clicks on the rear sight of the stapler too.

that was offhand, I'd bet.

SOB that's good shooting/good shooting load

[rintinglen]

If it was summer time, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference, though Georgia might be a touch more humid.:kidding: