2400 and the 357

[ColColt]

Years ago when I first had a 357, I used 2400 as my top magnum powder for full charges. I found it quite dirty then and wondered if it had been "improved" over the years. Anyone find it still dirty? Unique use to be the same way but the latest batches I've tried seem to be somewhat better.

 

[J Miller]

I've used 2400 and Unique for over 30 years now. It's not dirty at all IF you load them right.
Both powders have a sweet spot. If you load them light they are dirty. Load them up to their sweet spot and they are quite clean.
Also a tight neck tension and good solid crimp help too.

Besides, all ammo make a gun dirty. And you do clean it don't you?

Joe

 

[mejetski2002]

I use #2400 with a 125 JHP and it not only shoots clean (at max charge weight) I actually got single digit SD's !! For 158gr lead I use Lil' Gun and get over 1,500 from 4" GP.

 

[David LaPell]

I find 13.0 grains of 2400 behind a 158 grain SWC in my .357's doesn't really leave that bad of a residue. Besides, cleaning the gun afterwards is like washing a sports car after a day out cruising.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I don't load 2400, so I can only relay personal observations:

A buddy uses a lot of it in his .357 Mag and .44 Mag. He uses Keith style bullets from Lyman molds, which are just a hair heavier than "standard" bullets in caliber (e.g. if I'm loading a 158 gr. in my .357 he's got maybe a 165, and where my .44 Mag has a 240 gr., he may have 255 or so.)

After a bit of experimentation w/ lubes, crimps and the actual powder charge, he's found that "sweet spot" and gotten some very accurate and consistent loads (he used them for IHMSA silhouettes for a few years.)

They don't smoke TOO badly or make a huge mess of his stainless guns, but there's still a lot of "residue" that gets blown about every time he pulls the trigger! And that's w/ a brand new jug of 2400.

Rick C

 

[mejetski2002]

If you really want a clean .357 powder try some Accurate #5 or #7 (I use #5 in snubbies, #7 for a 6" or better). Both are cleaner but neither have given me better accuracy than #2400 FWIW. I also use #2400 for some .44mag LBT loads and can attest to it's accuracy in that caliber also.

 

[txpete]

with the 358429 and a redhawk 2400 is your friend

 

[WESHOOT2]

Just thinking about it, I rarely test 2400 any more. I instead test AA9, N350, H110, N110, and W296.
I then grab my trusted 3N37.

 

[ColColt]

When I said "dirty", I mostly meant a lot of smoke and unburned granules. My experience with 2400 has primarily been with jacketed bullets and never used it with LSWC's and in fact, I don't think I have any data on a 158 gr LSWC and 2400. Hornaday and Speer don't list it in their latest and greatest manuals.

Older manuals vs newer manuals from the same manufacturer drive me nuts. For instance, the Speer #9 manual list a max charge of 7.0 gr of Unique with the 158 gr LSWC yet the #14 list 6.0. there's many other instances like this when comparing old with the new. I think today they're all being more conservative for some reason.

Clean it? I'm one of those that clean any weapon within hours after returning from the range.

 

[J Miller]

For good ... well decent cast bullet data you need to go to the Lyman manuals. Hornady, Speer, and the others do not make cast bullets, theirs is swaged and therefore relegated to basically low velocity loads.

Joe

 

[Mr. S]

I had a chance to shoot some handloads of mine on Saturday, while visiting my son. These were a "first time" load for me. I used a Lyman 358429 that I cast out of commercial Lyman #2. They weighed 169 grains out of that alloy. I loaded them over 13.0 grains of 2400 with a Magtech SP primer.

Accuracy was very good for me, at what looked like 15-20 yards (I had never been to this range before). All holes were very close to POA and within 1.5-2.0" group. I was happy with that considering that with the wind chill it was about five degrees out.

I'll try them again at my local range and hopefully have the chance to shoot them over my chrony there. I don't think my GP100 was any dirtier than it ever gets when I shoot cast. After 100 rounds, 50 of these and 50 158 Grain SWC over Unique, it needed cleaned ;-) I really like this load with 2400.

Here is what the cases looked like after being fired.

Thanks,

Rick

As always, this load may not be safe in your firearm. Use at your own risk. YMMV.

 

[ColColt]

Has anyone ever miked the diameter of 357 cases where the crimp is for lead(or jacketed for that matter) bullets? I would think whatever factory measures, that would be the goal to shoot for ensuring a proper crimp. That's the way I did for 45 ACP -checked a couple of factory rounds and adjusted my taper crimp accordingly.

So, what is a "sweet spot"-one grain from max?

 

[Rick Courtright]

So, what is a "sweet spot"-one grain from max?

Hi,

'Tis probably a function of that ol' "In MY gun" thing, but my buddy reports the "best accuracy" window on his .44 Mag w/ 240 gr LSWC commercial bullets is about a half grain wide, topping out about one grain below the Alliant book's max load. I think he dropped it just a hair more for the slightly heavier 429421 bullet cast w/ straight wheelweights.

I don't remember him ever saying what it is on his .357s... but I believe he was using about 12.5 gr under that same Lyman 358429 Mr. S uses. Dunno what primer. We were shooting 'em out to 150 yds in the desert over New Years, and they worked quite well (I believe it's the same load he shot silhouettes w/ "back in the day.")

But PLEASE be sure to check the books before taking anything I suggest for truth!

Rick C

 

[BearStopper]

I couldnt get decent accuracy out of either of my 44's with a moly 240 swc and various amounts of 2400 so I went to Unique since that was what I had. I later used 12 grs of 2400 in my first .357 load with excellent accuracy.

 

[Chief 101]

2400 is my friend

 

[Tam 212]

How does the muzzle flash of 2400 compare to, say other "magnum" powders?

I have no frame of reference since 2400 is all I've reloaded with so far but there is a bit too much of a light show with this powder. Once I run out, I may consider another powder...

 

[Rick Courtright]

How does the muzzle flash of 2400 compare to, say other "magnum" powders?

Hi,

Only "low light" experience I have is shooting some of my buddy's 2400 loads thru my 7 1/2" Bisley vs his 8 3/8" 686...

W/ those barrels, there wasn't much difference from my 296 loads (158 gr for my LSWCs, about 165 for his Keith style 358429s.) Neither was objectionable.

W/ shorter barrels, it could be a problem. And lighter bullets really produce a 4th of July extravaganza w/ 296, so they might also be problem children w/ 2400.

I don't notice much flash from my Unique loads regardless of load or barrel length.

Rick C

 

[mejetski2002]

2400 can be flashy. I used some with 125gr JHP in a couple of SP-101's and ended up picking AA#5 and never looked back. I can also state it can be dirty in a .357 snub. Accurate #5 burned a lot cleaner IME even using non-mag primers. In my 4" GP I really don't notice flash with #2400 and magnum primers (Li'L GUN whole 'nother story). Power Pistol also had a good fireball when I tried it with 110gr SP-101 loads, equal or better than #2400. I get about 1,440-1,450 fps with a 125gr from my 4" GP-100.

 

[gramps]

I use 13.5 grs of 2400 under 158 gr swc in my 3 inch sp101. Decent accuracy, moderate recoil.
gramps

 

[WESHOOT2]

N350; little flash.

 

[Tam 212]

Vihtavouri is powder for the hi-rollers!

 

[WESHOOT2]

....who don't want flash....

 

[Tam 212]

Point taken! May have to try some someday.

 

[wild_weasel]

I can always find a good load with one of the following; Bullseye, Unique, and 2400. I use lots of 2400 in 357 Mag, hot 45 Colt, 22 Hornet, and 30 Carbine.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Vihtavuori 3N37 and N350 are extremely versatile 'handgun' powders, capable in numerous chamberings.
Both offer the lowest flash signatures of any of over twenty handgun powders I've tested.
Both offer the ability to produce velocities, give superior cleanliness, and provide high accuracy potential.

In my experience, they are worth their cost.