2400 with a 158gr RF

[Animal]

Hey guys, I just came back from the great state of Texas with a pound of 2400. I've never used it in any of my loads, but I've wanted to based off of everything I've heard about it. The problem I'm running into is the lack of load data for flat nose cast boolits. I'll be loading it up for my .357 mag 4in M66. I'm sure there are plenty of 2400 buffs that can guide me to a source or provide some well-seasoned insight... BTW, these are store bought boolits. I'm not even sure of the brand.

[Piedmont]

13.0 grains has always worked for me. It isn't quite maximum, which your K frame will appreciate, but is getting there and is accurate. You can download at least another grain and it will still burn well. Use standard primers if you have a choice.

[EMC45]

13.0 grains has always worked for me. It isn't quite maximum, which your K frame will appreciate, but is getting there and is accurate. You can download at least another grain and it will still burn well. Use standard primers if you have a choice.

I have used this exact same charge weight in my NMBH in .357 with the Lee 158gr. RNFP bullet with very good results.

[Dan Cash]

12-13 gr. 2400 under any 158-160 grain cast bullet works well.

[Animal]

Very cool guys. Looks like it's time for me to sort brass, bullets and see what this 2400 is all about. I've done a lot of reading on this possible load and it sounds like a great start. Do any of you have recommendation on how far to expand the cases and how tight of a crimp?

[Rex]

If you would like to try the old 38/44 or 38 Hi-Speed load, try 12 grains in a .38 special case. I really like that load and I have lots of 38 special cases.

[Animal]

Thanks for the input guys! Dan, I made my loads off of the 12-13 grains that you mentioned. I started at 12gr and worked up in 2/tenths at a time till 13gr, each charge had 7 rounds. I used virgin Starline nickle brass trimmed to 1.279, Federal 100 SP, seated the boolits to 1.622 and then applied a heavy crimp (3/4 turn down with 3rd Lee die). I lubed the boolits with a 60/40 mix of beeswax/vasoline. None of the boolits were sized. I don't have any sizing tools, plus I need as much diameter as I can get with my large throats.

Off a shooting rest at 10 yards my best load was 12.4grains. I did start to experience mild leading at that weight, mostly halfway up the bore. The recoil wasn't very stout, in fact I'll even call it friendly. Groups started to spread out as I got into higher charge weights (shooter error may have had something to do with that). At 12.8 grains, there extracted shells were full of blackened unburned powder and the recoil stiffened significantly. At 13 grains the shells didn't want to extract very easily.

Since I haven't gotten to work with this type of powder, I'm wondering if a soft gas-check would be helpful at 12.4 grains? I'm also wondering if my crimp was sufficient due to the unburned powder at 12.8 and 13.0 grains? I've heard that 2400 likes higher pressure, so I wonder if my crimp did this load the justice it deserves?

Rex, I've read up on that load and I might try it some day.

Thanks again. This is probably the most pleasurable handloading experience that I've had since I got into this hobby (relax, I've only been loading for 6 months or so).

[JWFilips]

Well I'm using the Lee TL version of that 158 gr'er Shooting an n-frame S&W from 1953 (Pre-27) 6" barrel. I have run 12 to 14 gr 2400 with no pressure signs or extraction problem & no Gas Checks They are double TL'd in Recluse's formula. I have had some end of barrel leading but accuracy has been very good out to 50 yards However some folks here balked a bit at the 14 gr. loading ( which actually is my most accurate load) I have since backed down to 13 grains & still accurate. Oh yes regular SPP's CCI 500 to be exact.
I can shoot as dropped from my 6 banger Lee or Size in a customized .359" Lee push thru but there is no difference.
The throats on that old boy are .359"
Other specs are : RP brass, Expanded with a custom made expander from 40super ( I don't like to squish my boolit) and alloy is my usual of 50 COWW & 50 Soft lead and then add about 2% more tin

[pmeisel]

I have been using 14 grains lately with no problem -- but I used 12.5 as a practice load for quite awhile and that shot fine too. I don't think you can go too far wrong, just see what your gun likes.

[Animal]

Excess650, I may try a soft gas check next week. I've also heard that a little STP oil treatment mixed in with the lube that I'm currently using works great.

[sniper]

I tried the "Skeeter" medium load of 13.5 gr 2400 in my 4' 586.:shock: That was a "medium " load?? It kicked about the same as my Remington 158gr. full-house factory load.

I didn't like it very much. No leading worth mentioning, but the recoil was somewhat stout! I dropped to 10.8gr, (what my measure bushings will drop) and found it more to my liking, and sufficient for any reasonable requirement.

A fellow the forum ran some tests with 2400 from 10-11.5 gr, and found those loads worked fine with 125-170gr bullets, and at very good velocities.

Of course, I am convinced that a lead revolver bullet reaches its practical maximum efficiency at around 1,000-1200 fps. Beyond that, most is noise and recoil. Higher fps, to be sure, but the advantage is minimal, if any.

I will now don my nomex BVDs! :cool: