500 JRH with 2400

[pal82]

***WARNING***READ THIS FIRST*** The following is NOT pressure tested load data. It should not be considered safe or usable, as there are no known SAAMI specifications for the 500JRH cartridge at this time. The 500JRH is a wildcat cartridge, proceed at your own risk. Now, on with the show.

I worked up some loads for my BFR 500 JRH using a Lee C501-440-RF w/GC, 2400 and WLP. So far I've only used H110 (27 - 29 grains) and Trail Boss (7 - 8 grains). I found a reference using a 440 over 24 grains of 2400 in a FA83 500WE. http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/featured_handguns_wyomingexpress_080207/

I assembled 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 grain loads with WLP primers, Starline 500S&W brass trimmed to 1.397, 1.800 OAL and a heavy roll crimp. I made 5 rounds of each. I plan to put 4 of each over the chronograph. The fifth will be measured for OAL change and shot over the chrono with a 500mag HandiRifle. If the weather is above freezing, I'll do it this weekend and report back. It's likely someone has been down this road before, but I haven't been able to find and references.

I have sent emails to Hornady and Lee encouraging them to develop this fine cartridge. A few emails from other 500 JRH handloaders couldn't hurt. Maybe someday we will have SAAMI specs for my favorite wildcat.

[pal82]

Back from the range. 33F. Sunshine. Only shot the BFR. Left the HandiRifle at home.
Charge..Avg f/s...Change in OAL
19gr..... 956 .......+.006
20gr......1001......+.004
21gr......1046......+.006
22gr......1106......+.006
23gr......1164......+.005
24gr......1199......+.014

These were small samples and were not tested for accuracy. In the article referenced in the previous post, the test gun had a 7.5" barrel and recorded 1271 f/s with 24 grains of 2400 and a WLR primmer. I used a 5.5" barrel and used a WLP primmer. My results with 24 grains showed 1199 f/s and seem to be in line with their data. All cases extracted with ease and came out clean. The primer appearance changed at 23 grains. They demonstrated marked flattening. The primers with lighter charges showed a smoother rounded firing pin dent, as if they came out of my 44 special flat top bisley with a skeeter load. I understand primer appearance is not a reliable pressure sign. 24 grains of 2400 is a case full. A little more powder and this would be a compressed load and that's probably a recipe for failure. As everything looks good so far. I'll do accuracy testing next, as weather permits.
I'm rooting for the 22 grain load. The primers looked good and ES was the lowest at 25.

[pal82]

Just got the BFR cleaned up. I had a good deal of muzzle end leading. Lube failure. Thats a first for me. The boolits had a Hornady gas check and a frankenlube process I tried for the first time. First I lightly tumble lubed in LLA. Let them dry and set the GS in a Lee sizer. Then I smeared Lyman Orange Magic into the lube groove and ran them throughout the sizer again. Why did I do it you ask. Well, just to see if it would work. You don't learn if you don't try. The case mouths all had a smear of Orange Magic after firing. That boolit has one shallow lube groove and two crimping grooves. Back to good ol' LLA.

[Socal147]

Looks to be some mellow loads. I shot 165 500 magnum rounds yesterday. I load light so as not to kill myself. The lightest I have gone so far was 8 grains Unique / 340gn LFP. Shot like a 9mm. Accurate but slow. Ok by me!
I am going to work up a medium load next. I have gone to 13 grains of Unique. The pistol wakes up there. I have W296 at the ready to start on the mid range loads. No need to go hot as this round at 1000 fps will kill most any animal. At 1300 fps, no "normal" animal is immune. LOL

Ps, I did use different lubing techniques, from tumble lubing 45/45/10, to size/lube using my beeswax/Crisco/carnuba blend. The was no leading at all. Another advantage of slowing things down. :)

[saz]

I also load a 50 caliber BFR, but it is a 500 Smith. My goto load is also the Lee 440 lubed with 45-45-10 (Rec-Lox) over 15grs of Unique and WLP primer. VERY accurate and chronos right at 1100 fps. It is a great load. I like the idea of 2400 to fill the case, as 15grs of unique is barely visible in the bottom of the case.

[Clay M]

I am running 29 grs of 2400 and the RCBS 400 gr semi wadcutter in my 500S&W. I am getting just over 1400 fps from the 8 3/8" barrel Smith.When I come up with the 500 JRH brass I will try some of your loads.Thanks for posting.I very much like 2400 in the 500 Smith.

[pal82]

I have no experience with this cartridge. But you might try...
Thanks for the suggestion Bill.
The 500JRH is a wildcat with no published load data or SAAMI specs. It's closest comparable is the 500WE, which does have SAAMI specs and minimal published load data. I am basing my work on what has been done with the 500WE as a starting point. I would like to try any powder in the JRH that has already been proven in the WE.

[saz]

I have used SR4759 in my 500 S&W under a 550gr boolit. Works great! Burns clean, accurate and no chance of a double charge. What more could you want?

[pal82]

Thanks for the clarification on SR4759. I am not familiar with it, but I should investigate.
Thanks, Pal

[Clay M]

MP5744 and IMR4227 are powders I am working with in the 500 Smith,but so far I have not gotten the accuracy that 2400 produced.

[saz]

MP5744 and IMR4227 are powders I am working with in the 500 Smith,but so far I have not gotten the accuracy that 2400 produced.
I have never gotten great accuracy with 5744. Tried quite a bit. IMR4759 is designed to be used in the same applications, give it a shot if you can find it.

[pal82]

93010

Loaded up a batch of 22 grains of 2400 with the 440 grain lee boolit. I tumble lubed and no gas checks. Shot 40 rounds into the paper target at 25 yards off-hand. The outlying poor hits were not fliers. They were pure shooter fatigue. It was 20 degrees outside, and I wanted to get it done quick. I shot the whole string of 40 in about 15 minutes. I was not flinching, I was just unable to hold still on the target any longer and my knuckle was getting sore. The last cylinder of 5 was shot one handed, which I've found to be less punishing on the knuckle.

[pal82]

IMR4759...give it a shot if you can find it.

I checked my local sporting goods store. They were out of IMR4759. They were also out of 2400. They had a nice used BFR in 475 Linebaugh. I did not buy it.

[Bignutt]

I've been using titegroup and it seems to be working good in my gun 440gr lfn 12.5 grs for about 1050fps with really low shot to shot variations. Also tried lilgun seemed to work but didn't shoot enough to get any more than that out of it.

[Socal147]

I checked my local sporting goods store. They were out of IMR4759. They were also out of 2400. They had a nice used BFR in 475 Linebaugh. I did not buy it.
Powder valley has 4759!

[pal82]

Powder valley has 4759!

Thanks for the tip, but 27.50 hazmat plus shipping. I'll just be patient.

[pal82]

I've been using titegroup...

Titegroup is on my list to try because it has published 500WE data. Thats my number one qualifier for a new powder. Published data on a comparable cartridge. That was I'm not flying blindfolded.
Thanks, Pal

[Bignutt]

I've got load data that I got that I believe I got from someone on here, Its in book form with start and max loads and corresponding pressures. I guess it could be 500 WE data though because I don't know how they got the pressure ratings otherwise? I guess all I know is that its been working great for me and have ran the loads up to the top end with no problems.

[pal82]

I've got load data that I got that I believe I got from someone on here...

Yes, I've got a that data too. The loads I have tried from this forum have worked for me as well. The whole point to this exercise was to develop trial load data using a powder (2400) that had not been reported on before, at least to my knowledge. Adding to the limited data base for this obscure cartridge, and do it in a safe way using load data previously published for a comparable cartridge (500WE). As I said in the initial post, "it's likely someone has been down this road before, but I haven't been able to find any references". I greatly appreciate everyones input and suggestions.

Thanks, Pal