357 Magnum Load

[Crazy Horse]

Just received a 1 lb canister of Alliant 2400 I ordered per Ericuda's recommendation. The Speer 15ed manual calls for 16.5 grains of powder for a 125gr JHP Speer bullet. All I gotta say is, man, that is a lot of powder in the case.

I'm used to ~5-7 grains depending on the caliber. But 16.5 grains...... there's definitely no danger of a double charge. One charge of 16.5 grains almost fills the entire case. I looked at the recipe and the maximum amount of powder that can be used is 17.5 grains.

Now to see how they fire, once this quarantine is over........

 

[Charlie98]

Yea, those slow powders are not very cost effective... using twice or thrice the weight of a typical charge of Unique. BUT! You get what you pay for!

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Obturation]

2400 is an excellent choice for 357 magnum.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I have a 1lb canister of Unique on the way. I will say that based on the load charts, Unique doesn't propel the bullet to the velocities that 2400 does.

Will definitely see how both perform. Thx

 

[Obturation]

I have a 1lb canister of Unique on the way. I will say that based on the load charts, Unique doesn't propel the bullet to the velocities that 2400 does.

Will definitely see how both perform. Thx

One thing to note on magnum powders- 2400 included Is the pressure increases are more predictable and they're less likely to have a crazy pressure spike from a slight overcharge. 2400 is nice because it downloads more predictably than h110 - which basically likes a full case and pushes heavier bullets very well. I really like 158 grain bullets in 357, sometimes 180 grain. I use 2400 for cast bullets and h110 for jacketed but either can work for cast or jacketed.
If you need brass, check oncefiredbrass.com, I think 500 357 cases is like $40 or so, last order I got from them was 95% starline cases, I was happy with that.
Goodluck.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I typically use 158 grain from speer lswc. Do you know of lead bullets that can be used with 2400 powder? Or does using lead at those velocities create leading issues. TIA

 

[Obturation]

I typically use 158 grain from speer lswc. Do you know of lead bullets that can be used with 2400 powder? Or does using lead at those velocities create leading issues. TIA

My primary load (elmer Keith's too) is a swc over 14 grains of 2400. Been using it for years and others have used the same load since the 357 was new. I use laser cast or Missouri bullets and have no problem with leading. I produce that load by the hundreds, plain base- no gas check.
---in many manuals this is a half grain over max, even with 13.5 grains it does very well.

Here's the 350 I just finished up, still sitting on the bench, ready to be stowed away

 

[Eddietruett]

I typically use 158 grain from speer lswc. Do you know of lead bullets that can be used with 2400 powder? Or does using lead at those velocities create leading issues. TIA

Get some Coated Lead. Available from Missouri Bullets, SNS Casting and many more suppliers. You can push these easily to 1500 fps without any leading problems. I find coated as accurate as anything out there and priced a lot cheaper than plated and Jacketed. The 180gr from Missouri makes a great Hog Hunting Load.

 

[kcofohio]

My primary load (elmer Keith's too) is a swc over 14 grains of 2400. Been using it for years and others have used the same load since the 357 was new. I use laser cast or Missouri bullets and have no problem with leading. I produce that load by the hundreds, plain base- no gas check.
---in many manuals this is a half grain over max, even with 13.5 grains it does very well.

Here's the 350 I just finished up, still sitting on the bench, ready to be stowed away
View attachment 907319

That has been my experience too. Never any leading problem with cast and 2400.

Crazy Horse, you picked a good magnum powder with 2400.

 

[Slamfire]

Just received a 1 lb canister of Alliant 2400 I ordered per Ericuda's recommendation. The Speer 15ed manual calls for 16.5 grains of powder for a 125gr JHP Speer bullet. All I gotta say is, man, that is a lot of powder in the case.

I'm used to ~5-7 grains depending on the caliber. But 16.5 grains...... there's definitely no danger of a double charge. One charge of 16.5 grains almost fills the entire case. I looked at the recipe and the maximum amount of powder that can be used is 17.5 grains.

Now to see how they fire, once this quarantine is over........

I used to shoot 17.5 grs 2400 with a 125 JHP, and talk about fireballs! If you can, light off a cylinder full after dark. Or better, have someone else shoot them and watch from the side. Fireballs!!!

 

[Charlie98]

I have a 1lb canister of Unique on the way. I will say that based on the load charts, Unique doesn't propel the bullet to the velocities that 2400 does.

Unique, while not a fast powder, is faster than 2400... so, no, it won't push a bullet as fast as 2400 unless you get stupid with it, which I have. Unless you insist on full-power loads from 2400 or H110, etc, I'll bet 90% of your loads could be accomplished with a powder like Unique.

Bullet leading is more a product of an improperly sized bullet for the bore, or other bore-to-bullet maladies... like bad cylinder throats (mismatched, or undersized so that they swage the bullets down before they get to the bore... hello, Ruger...) I drive commercially cast .41 bullets to 1500-1700fps in my 1894 and don't have problems with leading.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I looked at Speer 15 edition, I didn't see a recipe for 158 gr LSWC and 2400. Where would I find a recipe for LSWC and 2400.

I'll be purchasing Acme 158gr coated LSWC bullets. Those have worked well for me in 357 and 38 special loads using W231. Maybe I'll see what BrazosPrecision has on inventory. In my experience, Acme is a tad more expensive, but faster, while Brazosprecision is cheaper but slower to ship. Right now with everything going on, bullet makers are increasing shipping times significantly.

I know manufacturers take the cautious approach and indicate that Lead figures should be used for plated and coated bullets so I know Hornady and Hogdon will probably not have any recipes for 2400 and LSWC 357 magnum loads

I wish I could find blue coated bullets, I like variety. TIA

 

[Obturation]

I looked at Speer 15 edition, I didn't see a recipe for 158 gr LSWC and 2400. Where would I find a recipe for LSWC and 2400.

I'll be purchasing Acme 158gr coated LSWC bullets. Those have worked well for me in 357 and 38 special loads using W231. Maybe I'll see what BrazosPrecision has on inventory. In my experience, Acme is a tad more expensive, but faster, while Brazosprecision is cheaper but slower to ship. Right now with everything going on, bullet makers are increasing shipping times significantly.

I know manufacturers take the cautious approach and indicate that Lead figures should be used for plated and coated bullets so I know Hornady and Hogdon will probably not have any recipes for 2400 and LSWC 357 magnum loads

I wish I could find blue coated bullets, I like variety. TIA

I'll take a picture of published data for 158 lswc over 2400, as soon as I don't have a baby sleeping on top of me.

 

[Crazy Horse]

My primary load (elmer Keith's too) is a swc over 14 grains of 2400. Been using it for years and others have used the same load since the 357 was new. I use laser cast or Missouri bullets and have no problem with leading. I produce that load by the hundreds, plain base- no gas check.
---in many manuals this is a half grain over max, even with 13.5 grains it does very well.

Here's the 350 I just finished up, still sitting on the bench, ready to be stowed away
View attachment 907319

Obturation,

Nice and shiny. Quick question, that crimp looks much firmer than what I typically apply (I typically go with a mild crimp). Is that personal preference, or is that required when using 2400 to prevent movement due to recoil? The 357 bullets I just put together don't have a tight a crimp. TIA

 

[Obturation]

Obturation,

Nice and shiny. Quick question, that crimp looks much firmer than what I typically apply (I typically go with a mild crimp). Is that personal preference, or is that required when using 2400 to prevent movement due to recoil? The 357 bullets I just put together don't have a tight a crimp. TIA

I'm a crimp-o-holic, yes it's a personal preference and is not required for 2400. Some of these will be loaded in a tubular magazine and so I crimp hard (I completely admit it's too much) but brass is cheap and I like to know nothing's going anywhere except out the front.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I'm a crimp-o-holic, yes it's a personal preference and is not required for 2400. Some of these will be loaded in a tubular magazine and so I crimp hard (I completely admit it's too much) but brass is cheap and I like to know nothing's going anywhere except out the front.

THX. Just making sure as this is the first time I put together 357 loads using 2400 that pushes the bullet past 1300 fps.

Just saw a RNFP 158gr coated bullet that ACME bullets offeres. It looks pretty nice. Didn't see a recipe for a coated lead bullet, but I did see one for a 158 TMJ FN calling for 13.8 gr of 2400 pushing the bullet to 1128 fps. That's .2 grains less than what you use but .3 grains heavier than what you mentioned as recommended.

Looking at giving this bullet type a try since -as everyone knows- it is cheaper than jacketed bullets.

 

[Charlie98]

and so I crimp hard (I completely admit it's too much)

AH! Another member of the Death Crimp Club! Solidarity, brother!

Crazy, some powders require a good roll crimp to get good ignition... W296/H110 is one of those, and I would consider 2400 and IMR4227 as well.

 

[Obturation]

AH! Another member of the Death Crimp Club! Solidarity, brother!

Crazy, some powders require a good roll crimp to get good ignition... W296/H110 is one of those, and I would consider 2400 and IMR4227 as well.

I use more h110 than I'd admit, when loading 454 casull bullets 360+ grains over a full case of h110 the possibility of bullet pull is very real. These typically are not far from the end of the cylinder so I death crimp them out of necessity and it's carried over to others too. Same with 45-70, big heavy bullets over a stiff charge all compressed in a tubular magazine makes me want to crimp tightly and then some. Sure the brass life is decreased but I know the ignition will be consistent and nothing's moving. I've been criticized for it (on this forum) but every man must do what they feel is right, not what other folks think is best for them .

 

[Charlie98]

My thought is... it's better to crimp and not need it, than to not crimp... and need it.

 

[Obturation]

Didn't see a recipe for a coated lead bullet,

Coated and plated used standard lead load data.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Coated and plated used standard lead load data.

That being the case, where would I find Lead Load data for 2400. I haven't seen any load data for 2400 and lead bullets in any of my reloading manuals. TIA

 

[Obturation]

That being the case, where would I find Lead Load data for 2400. I haven't seen any load data for 2400 and lead bullets in any of my reloading manuals. TIA

I'll snap a picture here in a couple minutes.

 

[Obturation]

 

[Charlie98]

Lee:

158grn lead 13.7-15.3grn 2400, @ 1620fps max

Hodgdon

200grn lead 10.0-11.0grn 2400

158grn Jacketed 11.5grn-13.8grn 2400

Although the Hodgdon data is for jacketed data, you can extrapolate the 200grn data down, using the Lee data for reference. I would probably start in the neighborhood of 12.0grn and work up.

EDIT: and now seeing Obturation's data, I'm correct.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Charlie, Obturian, Thx for the pics and references

I have a Lyman 50 manual, but don't refer too it very much because the pics of lyman cast bullets done ever look like the bullets I use, will have to look at it again. Will definitely be acquiring the RNFP bullets now that I have good data.

Last question. I'm assuming FP and FN mean the same thing? or is FN used to differentiate between RN and conical? I looked around the internet and didn't get a straight answer, other than the data can be used if the bullets are of similar design, weight, and height.