Still Some Powder Shortages

[Hondo 60]

I was looking for some 2400, & can't seem to find it.

I looked at Powder Valley, MidwayUSA, Graf & Sons, Midsouth, Natchez, Gamaliel - all out of stock.

This is my go-to powder for .357 Mag, 7.62x54R, .32 H&R Mag, 44 Mag
With that many calibers you can see why it's important to me.
If it were only 1 or 2 calibers, it's be easy enough to work up another powder.

Hmm, on second thought it DOES give me good reason to go to the range to work up other powders... :

 

[horsey300]

I don't load for any of those, but in the cartridges I do load for, even when I have good overlapping powders, I try to have a few viable alternative powders on hand for such an occasion (this adds in the extra bonus factor of more loading and shooting time), the 3 handgun cartridges show quite a few overlapping powders that should be feasible, but I wouldn't know where to formulate data for the crossover from that big rimmed case to the lil pistol cases. I'm personally impressed at that application. Good luck in your hunt, I know what it's like to be left missing my favorite powder (thus the alternatives lol!) And hope that you can work something out.

 

[hdwhit]

2400 is one of only two powders (the other being IMR-4227) I have been able to make work with my 5.7mm Johnson loads, so like you, I feel its absence acutely.

I didn't know 2400 could be used in 7.62x54R, but for the other calibers you mentioned, there are published loads using IMR-4227 and it is readily available.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

try 300-MP instead

 

[Hondo 60]

23.3 gr of 2400 under a 160 gr lead gas checked bullet does ok in my Mosin, but is the cat's meow in my nephew's Mosin

Bullet is from a Lee mold (the taller one)
CTL312-160-2R

 

[hdwhit]

Hondo 60 wrote:
23.3 gr of 2400 under a 160 gr lead gas checked bullet does ok in my Mosin...

I had no idea. I would have thought 2400 was too "fast" for the case. Thanks.

 

[kcofohio]

2400 is the only magnum pistol powder that I have seen load data for cast loads in rifle.

That said, I was only able to find 1# of 2400 in the last year or so. I would really like to find 4 or 8 lbs. of the stuff. I have some gas-checked cast for the Mosin and Mauser that 2400 would go good with.

In my mind, I would be cautious about trying 300MP in the rifles. I have read, no personal experience, that 300MP is similar to H110/W296. I don't know if that could cause the same issues as the Hodgdon's powders with too much reduced loads, or not.

There are several mentions of using Unique in the old rifles.

I have used IMR4198 with decent results in the Mauser. Not enough to say that's the one. RL-7 and AA #1680 are also have load data for cast in the rifles.

Hondo, hope you find either 2400 or a good and safe substitute. Have you looked at Lyman's booklet for Old military rifles?

 

[kingmt]

I had no idea. I would have thought 2400 was too "fast" for the case. Thanks.

Bullseye & Red Dot are used often also. I use a powder close to Blue Dot in several cartridges.

 

[Kaldor]

H4350 and Varget....
Have been near unobtanium for a couple years...

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I have no experience ordering from this company but they show 2400 in stock. But I'd call first before ordering. They seem like a small company and many time small companies are slow to update websites on availability.

http://www.biggunoutdoors.com/Alliant-2400-Smokeless-Powder-1LBER-24001.htm
http://www.biggunoutdoors.com/Alliant-2400-Smokeless-Powder-4LBER-24004.htm
http://www.biggunoutdoors.com/Alliant-2400-8-LB-24008.htm

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I like 2400 too for stout .45 Colt loads.
Even though I can find it locally, its $35 a pound and I don't want to pay that.

 

[Walkalong]

try 300-MP instead

While 300-MP is a magnum powder and will work in this application, it is very dissimilar to 2400.

 

[2ndtimer]

Have you tried Accurate No. 9 in place of 2400? If I recall, it is more flexible than H-110/296 and 300 MP is even slower burn rate than H-110/W296. I finally got around to trying 2400 in my .357 Magnum, and wasn't that impressed. I picked up a couple pounds of it because H110/W296 was unavailable, and at that time Accurate No. 9 was even more unavailable. When I run out of W-296, I will use up my 2400 and 300 MP, and then order an 8 lb keg of either Accurate No. 9 or Power Pistol. I really like Power Pistol in .357 mag mid range cast bullet loads and it can also serve well in 9mm and .45 ACP.

 

[reddog81]

I'd guess that IMR 4227 would be as good a replacement as anything. I've used it in .357 and .44 and it appears that theres data for the other cartridges mentioned. I know it can be used successfully in 30-06 so I'd guess it'd be good in mid-range 7.62 loads.