2400 and .44 Magnum.

[Eb1]

I think I have found a new liking for 2400 in the .44 Magnum. I had several bad runs with it using the lead SWC.

Also when I shot this combo lead and 2400 I was using the factory wood grip that came with the SBH. Since I have replaced it with a Hogue Mono Grip, and found a good load with IMR 4227 using 240 grains LSWC.

Well today I had some 2400, and loaded the 240 XTP using 20.5 grains of the 2400 powder. Needless to say the gun shot the best groups I have shot since I have owned it. At 25 yards I shot 3 into one hole, and the other 3 from the cylinder were all touching about a 1/4" to the left of the 3 in 1 hole.
I was shooting a black circle target with a number "5" as a reference. I feel that if I had a better POA I probably would have shot close to 1" group.

The fire ball was a nice addition. I really like the lead with IMR 4227. It is accurate and a good push as far as recoil, but the jacketed XTP with 2400 seems to wake the .44 Magnum up.

I haven't used my chrony yet. Anyone have a guess as to what the feet per second could be with 20.5 grains 2400 and a 240 grain XTP out of a 5.5" barrel?

 

[243winxb]

Your choice of bullet has the biggest effect on accuracy. Lead VS Jacketed, jacketed will win 95% of the time.

 

[Grumulkin]

Actually in comparing loads with various powders such as Blue Dot, H110/Win. 296 & 2400 (and others I don't remember at the moment), I've found 2400 to give the best 50 yard accuracy with 240 gr. jacketed bullets.

 

[LTR shooter]

Well today I had some 2400, and loaded the 240 XTP using 20.5 grains of the 2400 powder. Needless to say the gun shot the best groups I have shot since I have owned it.

The 240 XTP is the 44 mag bullet I have loaded the most and it has proven to be very accurate with a variety of powders like H110 , 296 , AA #9 and VV N-110. I use 2400 mostly with with cast bullets these days.

 

[Eb1]

Agreed that jacketed is an accurate bullet, but I get the same results using a MCB 240 grain LSWC and IMR4227 out of this revolver.

Nevertheless. It sure is a good shooting revolver. In the words of Hanibal Smith, "I love it when a plan comes together."

 

[gamestalker]

If you liked how 2400 performed you'll be nuts about H110/296. just make sure you wear some sun glasses to prevent being blinded by the 4-5 foot fire ball.

 

[Eb1]

You mean like these fireballs.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I wouldn't waste 2400 on lead. Unique works well and sets off fine with standard large pistol primers and needs a lot less powder to get the same speed....Save the 2400 for those firebreathing JHP loads.

 

[Eb1]

Picture Added.

I will confirm this loading by continuing to load this combination. I think if I would have had a better reference of aim. The group would have been tighter. I don't like 6 o'clock holds. So at twenty-five yards I was holding in the center of the number 5.

 

[bluetopper]

2400 and the 44 Magnum have been a perfect match since the 1950's. So very versatile with a 240gr bullet from 17.5gr to 22.0. I've got an old Lyman manual that lists a compressed load of 22.5gr.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I used a lot of 2400 with 220 grain Sierra "silhouette" bullets (now called FMC bullets, IIRC) back in the 80s.

Very accurate, but dirty. After 160 rounds, the gun and our hands would be filthy. IIRC, the load was 21.5 grains of 2400, but that was thirty years ago, so don't take my word for it.

 

[Eb1]

Thanks, Larry. I really can't wait to get the Chrony out, and check the deviations and velocity of the bullet out of the 5 1/2" barrel. Even if it is 1380 fps. I will be pleased if the accuracy holds. The fireballs are a plus.

Yes, I think I will stop load development with 2400 and lead. Seems Unique, Trail Boss and IMR 4227 does a better job with the MO Cast Bullets. All this talk makes me wanna go shooting.

 

[NCsmitty]

Back maybe 35 years ago, I used Unique with my cast bullets and 2400 with the 180gr Sierra JHP that I used for deer hunting, out of my Hawes Sauer revolver. I preferred the 180gr Sierra JHP over the 240gr SP and HP bullets available because they expanded much better, something that the 240gr bullets failed to do.
22gr of 2400 under the 180gr Sierra with a LP primer was deadly on deer, but I never chronographed it.



NCsmitty

 

[DC Plumber]

I too love 2400 for my 44mag loads as well as my 357mag loads.

I have chrono'd 21g of 2400 with a Speer Gold Dot HP out of my 6" Smith and Wesson 29-2. Three shots were 1252, 1272 and 1272.

Ouf of my 4" 629, 1198 and 1273.

As someone else added, save your 2400 for jacket bullets, unless you're trying to max out a keith bullet. For target loads for my 44's, I use 8g of Universal under a 240g LSWC.

Try 14g of 2500 with 158g Jacketed bullets in your 357mag. A great load.

 

[moxie]

Concur 100% with coltpythonelite, post #8.

 

[JO JO]

like 2400 in 357mag will start .44mag adventure soon how does hs-6 work for a lswc type plinking load

 

[Eb1]

I am done.

Jo Jo, I am not sure, but I bet if you searched a little, or started your own thread regarding your question instead of changing the subject of my thread. You might get an answer.

 

[jcwit]

Well, that put him in his place!

 

[Eb1]

Wasn't being rude. Just truthful.

 

[JO JO]

you know I thought this was a friendly place to talk about shooting,guns and ammo
did not mean to do any wrong or highjack a thread !!!!!!!
one thing I noticed in the shooting world is that some people think they are the cats meow !!!!! just like at a trap range show up with a $300 shotgun the high dollar
boys "jerks" treat them like dirt. I shoot very well with my unit and when new boots show up at range and cant qualifiy I help them even on my off time I never take away from them, I feel there should not be so much attidude in the shooting world. I seen people
give up trap shooting because they felt unwecome due to a cheep gun. Unfair we all
like this sport and to talk about it. Its a Free Country !!!

 

[Eb1]

Well, Jo Jo. I shoot a Maverick 88 on the trap range, and shoot better than most of the boys flaunting those OUs.

It is a friendly place to talk guns and about hand loading. There is such a thing as etiquette, and I am not sure how many internet forums you have been on, but one thing you don't do is jump on somebody's topic, and start with your own questions not related to the original posters comment. That is just plain rude.
I gave you a very polite answer. A very straight up answer, and if that got your undies in a bunch well I don't know what to tell ya.

I don't think that I am the cats meow, and I don't appreciate you making smirks and comments about me as such. Being that this is the high road. I feel the need to refrain from telling you what I think about how you are handling this. Now if you want to discuss 2400 and the .44 Magnum on this thread. We can have a great chat. If you have have a question about HS-6 and the .44 Magnum. I am sure there are a ton of threads you can search, and if you like, start a new topic of your own. I am sure someone with HS-6/.44 Magnum experience will be glad to help you.
Notice how there wasn't an answer to your hi-jack. Because it wasn't related to the topic, and most people who have been around do not like to take topics off subject which is what you were doing.

Now that you have been informed about internet forum etiquette. Hopefully you will apply it the next time you think about jumping a thread with a question of your own that is not related to the original topic.


Don't mind what jcwit had to say. He is just trying to cause trouble because I called him out on some bad information he gave on another thread.

Also, your right. It is a free country, but that doesn't mean that you can tread where you want to when you feel like it.

 

[JO JO]

as I said in my last post ment no harm, I am new to forams and if I did wrong again I
appoligze, That said my coments were in general did not mention anyones name.
SO Mister Eb1 dont be a hater !

 

[Eb1]

You have it all wrong. I am a helper not a hater. Seems you have issues dealing with the plain, straight truth. Doesn't bother me. Just shows that you have to have the last word. Congratulations! You made my ignore list.
Thanks for pointing out your personality so quickly on the forum. Now I don't have to put up with the name calling when I try to help you, or give you valuable advise on how to get help. Get with the High Road or hit the Highway. Cheers.

 

[murf]

hs6 is a little slow for a lead plinking load. unique may be a better option. hang in there jojo!

murf

 

[Bula]

What's all this talk of saving 2400 for jacketed loads? Blasphemy! I do dig Unique for the lower to mid range loads-Lee 200 rnfp and Lyman 492421 Keiths at 950-1000 fps. But 20g of 2400 and that 255g Keith SWC, man that is a great shooting round. I really like the XTP's, but I only shoot home cast now.