.223 and 2400 powder

28 April 2001, 22:41

Does anyone use 2400 with bullets lighter than 55 grains? My thought is that with short barrels(12 inches) faster powders will be more efficient. I have a large supply of 53 grain cci howollow points and am looking for data with 2400.
Rick

29 April 2001, 01:17

<PowderBurns>

2400 is designed for straight wall brass. When you neck the brass into the bottle shape you start developing issues with burn rate and characteristics.

I have no specifics as to exactly what the effects are, but this seems like a place to start thinking about internal ballistics.

------------------
PowderBurns Black Powder / Muzzle Loading Forum:

www.hotboards.com/plus/plus.mirage?who=powderburns

29 April 2001, 05:03

R-WEST

cricker -
Think I'd let 2400 for the .22 Hornet and .44 mag's, and look at something like A2015 or H322 in your short barrel .223. A buddy uses H322 and 52 grainers in a 12" Encore .223 with good results.
Good luck,
R-WEST

29 April 2001, 05:05

R-WEST

cricker -
Just re-read your original post. What are 53 grain cci hollowpoints?

29 April 2001, 06:28

DaMan

cricker, Alliant 2400 CAN be used with bullets 55gr. and lighter weight bullets. Check out the data at alliantpowder.com.

I see where you are coming from. Short barrel....more complete burn with fast burning powder. Less muzzle blast for sure. Velocity won't be as good as some slower powders (even in the 12" barrel). Accuracy? Probably should be pretty good.

But, if you are going to use this in short barreled gas operated semi-auto, you are going to have short recoil for sure.

Alliant 2400 wouldn't be my first choice for a short barreled 223 Rem., but if you have some on hand and want to use is in a Contender or other pistol, it should work OK with your 53gr. CCI/Speer bullets.

DaMan

29 April 2001, 15:33

<harry55>

quote:
Originally posted by cricker:
Does anyone use 2400 with bullets lighter than 55 grains? My thought is that with short barrels(12 inches) faster powders will be more efficient. I have a large supply of 53 grain cci howollow points and am looking for data with 2400.
Rick

Cricker. I have good results shooting 2400 powder with a 196 GR. lead bullets 14.5 gr.
of 2400. Very accurate in my 308 Remington 600. My reason is: It, the 2400 powder burns well enough in a 8.5 in. barrel of a 44 mag.it should give as good or better burning in my 16 1/2 in. rifle barrel. which it does.
In my 223 rifle I shoot 53 gr. SIERRA BT.
with T-680 powder. 19.5 gr. for excellent accuracy.

29 April 2001, 23:49

cricker

quote:
Originally posted by R-WEST:
cricker -
Just re-read your original post. What are 53 grain cci hollowpoints?

Good question. It should have read 52 grain cci/speer. Maladjusted fingers I think.
Rick

22 January 2002, 05:48

sjf

Was going thru the older post and noticed yours. I have not had very good luck with 2400 in the .223, mine is a 16 in barreled contender.

But I have had very good luck with Blue Dot, I use 12.8 grains with a Sierra 40 grain SP it was designed for the .22 hornet, gives about 2800 fps and exploasive performance on ground squirrels.

Very accurate with 3/4 in groups or less at 100 yds. This load fills the case to about 3/4 full. Fun load with very little recoil. As always work up to this carefully as shotgun/pistol powders develope preasures quickly. The most I have loaded with this bullet and powder is 13 grains.

James Calhoun has an interesting article on reduced loads for the .223 on his web site. Just punch "James Calhoun fine shooting bullets" in your search engine and it should get you there.

------------------
3-7-77