357 magnum LSWC, AA #9 or 2400

[smovlov]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to run some 158 gr LSWCs at around 1200. I know both powders will do it. I'm just looking for any advantages or disadvantages of each. From what I've read it seems that AA #9 can jam up a powder measure but that it also meters better than 2400. I've also seen that AA #9 needs a magnum primer sometimes (I'd like to only stock non magnum primers). I can get AA #9 locally right now. Been looking for 2400 for a while but haven't stumbled on any. How does each meter in a lee autodisk? I'll be shooting them out of a S&W Model 19-3.

Thanks,

Christian

 

[evan price]

#9 is a tiny little ball powder and it can leak where the Lee hopper meets the disk. If you have the hopper too tight it can bind on the disk on the older model auto-disk measures. Too loose and you get a bit of powder leaking.

You can get away with no magnum primer but I find that it ignites better with a magnum primer.
A good roll crimp is necessary.

Won't go wrong with either 2400 or #9.

 

[ljnowell]

I use tons of AA#2 because of the way it meters, all of the AA pistol powders meter great. However, when it comes to 357 mag, I LOVE 2400.

I have loaded a 158gr LSWC over 14.5gr of 2400 for a long time. Its got a great full magnum type feel but itsnt too abusive. An accurate load in all of my guns too.

 

[Walkalong]

2400 is better suited IMO.

 

[Steve C]

I like both AA9 and 2400 for the .357 mag with 158gr bullets. It generally takes 1.0 grain less of AA9 to get the same velocity as 2400.

12.2grs of AA9 behind a 158gr Cast Commercial bullet lit by a CCI550 primer in cases of miscellaneous brand the 10 shot average was 1,268 fps from my 4" S&W 66.

14.0grs of 2400 behind a Remington 158gr JSP lit by a CCI500 (standard primer) using Remington cases produce 1,248 fps from the same gun, mirroring Remingtons Factory loads.

With lead bullets in the .357 mag using 2400 I generally load them with 13.0 to 13.5gr max. Haven't ran any of those over the chrono but they should be about the same as the AA9 load of 12.2grs.

 

[jim8115]

If you are looking for 1200 FPS with a 158, try 8.0 Grains of Power Pistol...
One of my favorite mid range 357 loads

JIM

 

[zxcvbob]

I would use AA#7 (haven't tried Power Pistol, but that's another possibility) I also really like 8.0 grains of Herco, but not sure if you'll get to 1200 with that.

 

[smovlov]

I was looking at power pistol as I'm about to embark on loading up .40 but i saw that it might not be the best choice for lead http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-483610.html. I'm thinking of going with 2400 when/if i can find it. It seems like a better choice as Id like the ability to use regular primers and that it has a history with lead in the .357 (Elmer Kieth). Currently I'm loading 4.6 grains of Titegroup under the same bullet but Id like to push these bullets a little faster. I know Titegroup is a poor choice, Its just what I have on hand right now.

 

[Hondo 60]

Haven't tried AA#9, but I've shots thousands of rounds of 2400.

So I can attest that 2400 is a VERY good powder for .357 magnum.
And as stated above, while you CAN use standard primers,
magnums seem to make for a more consistent round.

When run acrossed my chronograph, they have a lower extreme spread
& standard deviation when using magnum primers.

 

[RealGun]

I think that K frame and #9 are probably a good match.

 

[USSR]

smovlov,

2400 and LSWC's in a .357 Magnum go together like peanut butter and jelly. Also, 2400 meters quite well, so if you have a problem with that, it is your powder measure and not the powder itself.

Don

 

[jim8115]

I was looking at power pistol as I'm about to embark on loading up .40 but i saw that it might not be the best choice for lead http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-483610.html. I'm thinking of going with 2400 when/if i can find it. It seems like a better choice as Id like the ability to use regular primers and that it has a history with lead in the .357 (Elmer Kieth). Currently I'm loading 4.6 grains of Titegroup under the same bullet but Id like to push these bullets a little faster. I know Titegroup is a poor choice, Its just what I have on hand right now.

I have shot thousands of rounds with 8.0 PP /158 Gr, lead and jacketed.. No problems at all
I also use PP for some of my hotter .40 lead loads

JIM

 

[627PCFan]

The only disadvantage to AA#9 IMO is it leaks from powder measures. For my MBC Action bullets I load 12.5 grains and mine chronoed 1250's from a 5 inch barrel.
And you do not need a mag primer for AA#9. I use SP and SR primers depending on availablity.

 

[jim8115]

The only disadvantage to AA#9 IMO is it leaks from powder measures. For my MBC Action bullets I load 12.5 grains and mine chronoed 1250's from a 5 inch barrel.
And you do not need a mag primer for AA#9. I use SP and SR primers depending on availablity.

Why use up 12.5 grains of powder, when 8.0 of PP will give you the same result? i reserve #9 for full power loads

JIM

 

[627PCFan]

"Why use up 12.5 grains of powder, when 8.0 of PP will give you the same result? i reserve #9 for full power loads"

Because with exception of my 125gn 357 Gold Dot loads, every load I shoot was developed for accuracy using AA#9 and it elimates the possiblity of a double charge.

 

[smovlov]

I like the idea of being able to use Power Pistol in .40 and .357 but I also like that AA #9 and 2400 can be loaded up or down. On the other hand I can't use either in .40. I'm thinking my handgun powders will end up being HP-38/Win 231 for light loads, 2400 or AA #9 for med high and high power loads, and something in the middle like Power Pistol, HS-6, Unique, or Universial for the mid range. Again I think it's been concluded that both are so close that it's just splitting hairs. Thanks guys again for all your input!

 

[Slamfire]

I conducted some load development with AA#9 in my M27. All these charges are thrown, and if you examine the extreme spreads and standard deviations, there is no advantage to ball powders. While AA#9 shot well, the little tiny powder balls do gum up the slide bar of my Dillion 550B. Alliant 2400 is my staple 357 powder, I have been using a load of 13.5 grains with a 158 L or 158 JHP.

If you can purchase AA#9 at a bargain by all means use it, but if the price is equal, use 2400.

[SIZE="3"]Smith & Wesson M27-2					
	
158 LSWC 13.5grs 2400 R-P cases CCI primers		
					
9-Oct-05	T = 64 °F				
					
Ave Vel =	1273				
Std Dev =	44.03				 
ES  =	176.7				 
High  =	1372				 
Low  =	1195				 
N =	30

158 JHP (W/W) 13.5 grains 2400 R-P cases WSP		
5-Aug-06	T = 103 °F
				
Ave Vel =	1196		 		
Std Dev =	26.58				 
ES  =	87.17				 
High  =	1244				 
Low  =	1157				
 N =	10				 
					
accurate					
not difficult 					
to extract

					 
158 LRN   12.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 Mixed cases 		
5-Aug-06	T = 104 °F	
			
Ave Vel =	1278		 		
Std Dev =	34.98				 
ES  =	117.4			 
High  =	1344			 
Low  =	1226				
 N =	27				 
					
 Accurate little or no leading				
					
158 LRN   12.5 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D  cases 		
5-Aug-06	T = 104 °F	
			
Ave Vel =	1348		 		
Std Dev =	34.16			 
ES  =	134.7			 
High  =	1386				 
Low  =	1251				
 N =	25				 
					
 Very Accurate no leading			
					
					
158 LRN   13.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D cases 		
5-Aug-06	T = 104 °F
				
Ave Vel =	1360		 		
Std Dev =	33.19			 
ES  =	109.8			 
High  =	1393				 
Low  =	1284				
 N =	26
				 
 Very Accurate	 no leading			
					
				
					
158 JHP 13.0 grs AA#9 R-P cases WSP			
					
9-Oct-05	T = 64 °F				
				
Ave Vel =	1156			
Std Dev =	35.63				 
ES  =	160.6				 
High  =	1230				 
Low  =	1069				 
N =	20				 
Very accurate					
					
			
					
158 JHP (W/W) 14.0 grs AA#9 R-P cases WSP		
					
9-Oct-05	T = 64 °F				
				
Ave Vel =	1208			
Std Dev =	27.65			 
ES  =	89				 
High  =	1255				 
Low  =	1166				 
N =	24				 
Very accurate					
				
					
158 LSWC Linotype 12.0 AA#9 Mixed cases CCI500 	
	 				
14 Oct 2008 T =  80 °F				
					
Ave Vel =	1217				
Std Dev =	52				
ES =	224.9				
High =	1346				
Low =	1121				
N =	29[/SIZE]

 

[smovlov]

The issue is I can't find any 2400. AA #9 is about 23$ a lb at the shop near by. I'm not really sold yet on it. If I can't find 2400 and I really get the itch to shoot some magnums I might go pick it up. As for now I'm just going to sit tight.