How much Alliant 2400 for a 41 mag?

[ChristopherG]

I'm putting together some 41 mags for my new (old) Redhawk, and found a disturbing discrepancy in load data. Both Hornady and Lyman's Pistol & Revolver Handbook list max loads as 20.0 grs., with a velocity of around 1300 fps (all loads w/210 gr. jsps). Fine.

Then, just to TRIPLE check, I go to alliant's site, and their guide lists 17.5 grs as a max load, and 1425 fps out of it (same bullet type)!?!

My first inclination is to think that Alliant is (a) covering their butts with lower than necessary max loads, and (b) hyping their velocities or using some kind of uber-luber barrel. But hey, maybe there's something I don't know; has 2400 radically changed, or is there something else I should know? My Hornady and Lyman loadbooks are their most recent editions.

Thanks all for the help--
CG

PS--these are my first handloads, and I'm not pressing the max yet--I just want to know what max I should expect to press sooner or later. Only thing I've shot from it so far was a box of PMC 210 gr. JHP. Anyone know how fast those are?

 

[41 Redhawk]

Hi Chris,

I never shot any of the PMC through that gun. However, Remington 210s clocked at 1440. I would expect that PMC is close to that.

Data for 2400 has changed a good bit. Some say that Alliant 2400 is a bit faster than the Hercules was. (Alliant bought Hercules). It could also be that they have reduced the data to accommodate the new smaller framed 41. In any event, the RedHawk will handle the 20.5 gr load just fine. What I would do is is load 10 at 18.5, 10 at 19.0, 10 at 19.5 etc and work your way up.

Loads your gun has liked in the past are:

Hornady 210XTP with 14.5grs of BlueDot - 1260 fps
230gr Keith with 13.5 grs of BlueDot - 1275fps
230gr Keith with 20.5grs of Lil Gun - 1340 fps

If you have Excel, I can cleanup a spreadsheet I have with loads I have used and e-mail it to you. I have not gotten to 2400 yet but that is on my to try list along with H110/Win 296.

 

[ChristopherG]

Hey, 41R, that's very helpful of you--thanks. I'd love the spreadsheet, and do have excel; if you send it as an attachment I should have no problem opening it. I'll take your loading advice to a T--it sounds like just the right course of action.
Chris

 

[caz223]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I don't have a chrono, but my fav load was 17.6 for a long time.
210 XTP CCI 350 primer.
Main reason was because the powder dipper I was using at the time threw 17.6 every time, and I didn't need to weigh the charges.
Also, it filled the case up to the point where it wasn't a compressed load, but the bullet base was touching powder fairly consistantly.
This was in a 4 5/8" blackhawk, also works in my 7 1/2" 657.
In longer barrels (Or tight guns.), primer start extruding over 18.0 grains or so, wouldn't go over 17.6 at all, unless you shot them and they all shot ok.
This load was very accurate, and seems to be in the sweet spot for .41 mag.
My new favorite load is 20.6 H110, XTP 210 CCI 350.
Yup, same dipper.
Just a little hotter, very accurate, primers don't back out at all, except for my new tight 8" blackhawk.