1894C moderate load help

[truckmsl]

I'd like to push the Lee 158 gr FP to around 1400 fps through my Marlin 1894C .357 w/ballard rifling using .359 BHN-20 cast boolits and am considering switching from Unique to 2400 for this purpose. Since 2400 and just about every other powder is temporarily (I hope) not available locally, I thought I'd pass the time by asking around for pet loads.

Do any of you folks use 2400 with this plain based bullet with good success, or would you recommend a different powder such as Herco, etc? I'd like to avoid heavy crimps, if possible, to prolong brass life. Thanks!

[August]

AA#9 might be available. It is around here anywho....

[Junior1942]

I push that bullet to 1620 fps in 357 Rossi M92 with .88cc WC820. I use two layers of LLA and a good crimp.

[454PB]

My favorite is 9 to 10 grains of Bluedot.

[truckmsl]

thanks, guys, keep it up! :drinks:

[beemer]

I'll give a second for Blue Dot at 8-9 grs. Might not be quite 1400 fps but a good load.

beemer

[truckmsl]

Thanks PB and Beemer. More than the 1400 fps, I'm looking for accuracy, but just not a cat sneeze load. Looking at load tables, it seemed to me that 2400 had a fair amount of flexibility in terms of load ranges from moderate to heavy, but I'm wondering if a slightly faster powder might suit my needs better, as you have suggested. Eventually, I'll have to try them all - no rest for the wicked!

truck

[hyoder]

You might want to slug your bore if you haven't. Mine slugged out at just under .357 and likes my gas checked boolits sized .357.

[truckmsl]

Thanks, hyoder. Bore is slugged and .359 is called for. I'm trying real hard to stay away from gas checks for all the obvious reasons, since I'm not hunting with it. Just wanting to reach out and touch things inanimate.

[NHlever]

I might try 10.0 - 11.0 grains of 2400. Should give you about the right velocity. It might be on the edge for plain base bullets, and accuracy though. Worth a shot.

[fecmech]

Another vote for Blue Dot. My Winchester 94 is very accurate with 9.5/Blue Dot and these 3 bullets, Lee 158 rnfp, Lyman 358429 and the H&G #39 158gr. RN. All run right at 1400 fps +- 30 FPS.
My Rossi single shot .357 likes the Lee 150 2R rn over the same powder charge.