Will 2400 Work for .44mag Revolver & Lever as well as 357?

[REL1203]

I know I am asking a lot here, but is there a single powder that would produce good results for one load in 44mag that will shoot well in my 6" Raging Bull and my Henry Lever, with the same powder also being user in 357Mag GP100 and Henry Lever Action? Is that to much to ask for in one powder? Not used for hunting whatsoever, just range use. 25yards max for Reolvers, and generally 50 yards with the Lever guns... Looking to push 240g JSP for the 44 and hopefully 158's with the .357... I have hand loaded for years, but just bought both Lever Action Henrys and the 44mag revolver so i have never hand loaded for 44 before, and don't really want to chase multiple powders if I don't have to.

Thoughts?

 

[kcofohio]

I would say yes, 2400 would be a decent powder for your use. Good ol' faithful magnum powder.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

2400 will work great.

I would likely use Unique, though. It will give you around 90% of the speed and use only about half the powder to do the job.

 

[troy fairweather]

Yup

 

[PapaG]

My three go to powders are Bullseye for target and plinking, Unique for peppy but moderate loads and 2400 for serious things. 357, 41, 44, 45 Colt. 9 mm and 45 ACP don't get the 2400. None of my loads are top but are adequate for their intended purpose.

 

[AJC1]

Your doing exactly what i do with 357. I run 2400 or unique in both. I have developed a heavier bullet load for the lever gun for shooting steel but that is a very specialized purpose. If you want to make just one load, the lever gun will have an OAL that it functions the best at. Load to that length and you should be good to go.

 

[the Black Spot]

Yes

 

[Hondo 60]

There's lotsa data for 2400 in 44 Mag & 357 Mag.
Will it be perfect for you?
There's no way to tell without trying it.

Please be aware that every gun is different.
What works flawlessly in my gun may be absolutely horrid in yours.

I had a 9mm that HATED 115 gr ammo of any kind.
It sprayed & jammed.
But I switched to 124gr ammo & it sang like a canary.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

2400 will give you what you're looking for.

 

[Catpop]

First I’ll say I DO NOT have a 357 or 44 mag lever so I’m not really qualified to address that side of your question. My lever needs are covered by 30-30, 35 Rem, 32-20, 32-40, 38-40 and 38-55.

But for handguns, Yes, 2400 works extremely well for both my 357 BH and 44 mag SBH. It’s the old time magnum handgun standard. I’ve used it in 357 since the 70s.

4227 is also an option I used when 2400 dried up in the Obama era. But it needs to be run on the hot side because of residue issues that will lock up a DA revolver star ejector. SA doesn’t seem to care much.

Today, as others have previously mentioned, I use mostly Unique for my target work as well as hunting loads with 172 LSWC and 265 LSWC boolits. These non gas checked boolits CAN be pushed to 1300 fps with Unique or loaded down to 800+/- for target work.
Unique is a truly versatile powder and the first one I pick up to start load testing.

But with the extra 10-14” of available, 2400 may be the best choice. Only the guns can tell you what they like. You may find one load that is acceptable to both, but not optimal for either. Anyway it looks like a fun quest to be on and I hope you will share your results with us!
Boy do I love a quest!!!!!!!
Good luck!

 

[gotboostvr]

I use IMR4227 for jacketed in 44mag rifles and handguns, and 2400 for lead in both.

My most accurate load in my carbine also happens to be the most accurate load in 3 handguns I've owned.

2400 should work very well.

 

[RealGun]

2400 is a good one with enough loading range to create moderate loads as well as full bore magnum.

 

[Typetwelve]

I really like 2400 for 44 magnum (don't load 357 at the moment), I also like that it can take non magnum primers. I use a 2400 + 180g XTP load from the Lyman manual that makes one heck of a thumping round, I bet it would really cook from a lever action.