range_rider13
Member
Gentlemen:
Earlier this year I purchased my first 1 lb. canister of 2400 powder to try some different loads in my .357 Mag. Previously I had used 296 and HS-6 with CCI-550 primers (small pistol magnum primers). The loading manual I followed was Nosler #4 published in 1996. The minimum load for a 158 gr. bullet is 11.3 grains of 2400 using Winchester Small Pistol Magnum Primers (WSPM) showing a velocity of 1480 fps. The maximum load shown is 12.3 grains of 2400 with WSPM primers at a velocity of 1520.
I loaded 10 rounds each of 11.4 grains, 11.8 grains, 12.0 grains and 12.3 grains with CCI-550 mag-primers. My intention as always was to work my way up the ladder and see how the different loads shot, stopping short of the maximums if signs of pressure showed up and unload the hotter rounds if need be. In the past, most of the hottest rounds listed in manuals did not have significant pressure signs on my .357 mag and that is why I went ahead and loaded the hotter rounds with the intention of working up to them if the lesser rounds looked ok. I had each load clearly color coded on my loaded bullets' primers.
Now I'm told that the current 2400 powder has a different burn rate than the 2400 manufactured when Nosler's # 4 manual was printed. I am also told that I should be using regular small pistol primers instead of the magnum primers.
After looking at more current load data, it does appear that most loads for the .357 Mag and 2400 powder use non-magnum primers, but more powder.
Does anyone know if these lesser loads of mine appear to be too hot with mag primers and the newer 2400 powder or do they appear to be ok to shoot?
Earlier this year I purchased my first 1 lb. canister of 2400 powder to try some different loads in my .357 Mag. Previously I had used 296 and HS-6 with CCI-550 primers (small pistol magnum primers). The loading manual I followed was Nosler #4 published in 1996. The minimum load for a 158 gr. bullet is 11.3 grains of 2400 using Winchester Small Pistol Magnum Primers (WSPM) showing a velocity of 1480 fps. The maximum load shown is 12.3 grains of 2400 with WSPM primers at a velocity of 1520.
I loaded 10 rounds each of 11.4 grains, 11.8 grains, 12.0 grains and 12.3 grains with CCI-550 mag-primers. My intention as always was to work my way up the ladder and see how the different loads shot, stopping short of the maximums if signs of pressure showed up and unload the hotter rounds if need be. In the past, most of the hottest rounds listed in manuals did not have significant pressure signs on my .357 mag and that is why I went ahead and loaded the hotter rounds with the intention of working up to them if the lesser rounds looked ok. I had each load clearly color coded on my loaded bullets' primers.
Now I'm told that the current 2400 powder has a different burn rate than the 2400 manufactured when Nosler's # 4 manual was printed. I am also told that I should be using regular small pistol primers instead of the magnum primers.
After looking at more current load data, it does appear that most loads for the .357 Mag and 2400 powder use non-magnum primers, but more powder.
Does anyone know if these lesser loads of mine appear to be too hot with mag primers and the newer 2400 powder or do they appear to be ok to shoot?