I'm looking at producing some loads with Cast Performance 320gr WLNGC LBTs from with 2400 in my 44 Mag SRH and 265 gr WLNGC LBTs in my 41 Mag Blackhawk. I know H110 and W296 are the prefered powders but I just don't like the idea of "all or nothing" aspect of H110/W296 and I don't expect the velocities that H110/W296 render. Has anyone loaded such rounds using 2400? Actual experiences only please.

I never used 2400 with the large boolits but it should work OK, just not as good as 296 or H110. There might be some pressure issues I am not aware of with a 320 gr boolit and 2400.
However, 296 and H110 are not "all or nothing."
In the .44 start at 19 gr and work up to the accuracy point. That will be at 21 to 21.5 gr.
I use 21.5 gr of 296 with the 320 LBT but I use the Federal 150 standard primer ONLY because mag primers will triple groups for me. You do not need a magnum primer in the .44 with any bullet/boolit or powder.
You have chosen some great boolits and they will surprise you with the accuracy, just do not be afraid of 296 and H110.
Your loads must be fast enough for stability with the twist so light loads really do not shoot good. In the .44 you will need about 1300 fps. Boolits are so heavy that you want a slower sustained push down the barrel without a sharp peak in pressure. Inertia is high so don't slam the boolit.
I can't comment on the .41 because I never owned one.
296 IS my go to powder, nothing better.

H-110/296 is what I use. I switched over from 2400 many years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
H-110/296 is what I use. I switched over from 2400 many years ago.

I did as well.

I still use 2400 by virtue of having many pounds of it still. For what you are wanting to do, I'd suggest starting around 19.0 grains and go from there.

Dito what bfr wrote. I paid attention to his advice awhile back on the powder selection and charge as well as the primer. I have two 44's and both will due sub .5" at 25 yards off a rest and with the use of a scope. My SBH has on some occasions gone in 1.75" at 100 yds out of one cylinder. When i used the mag primers my groups opened up. I cant wait to take it out this year for Mulies.

And just to give you another side of the coin, I abandoned H110 because I was tired of dealing with the lack of versatility and the need for mag primers.

In my Smith 629 PC Light Hunter:

310 gr. SureShot WNFP GC bullet (say that one three times fast!)
17.5 gr. 2400
CCI LP primer

I got a super consistent 1,250 fps (literally 1247, 1250, 1253 fps measured on the first three rounds). Accuracy was superb: 1.5" at 50 yards from a stable rest.

The current issue of Handloader shows a Ruger Super Redhawk at up to 19.0 gr. with the same bullet.

I got the velocity I wanted with 17.5 and didn't feel any reason to push any more than 1,250 fps.

****

I also use 2400 in my .41 mag and in my .357. In my Smith 357PD (Ti-Scan frame) .41 mag, I really like the 265 gr. Beartooth WNFP GC over 15.5 or 16.0 gr. of 2400. 16.0gr. FELT right, and was just barely showing pressure signs. I backed to 15.5 and called it "good enough". I never chrono'ed the load, but I'd suspect it's around 1,100 fps from my 4" barrel. Note that the 357PD has a titanium cylinder - that's going to change the pressure signs. Either way, 15.5gr. of 2400 and if you point the barrel vertical the cases just fell out of the cylinder. At 16.0 they needed just the slightest pressure on the ejector to push them out.

BTW, that load is my "bear defense" load. I can put 6 rounds downrange in under 6 seconds and keep them in a 3" circle at 21 feet. That works just fine for my needs.

Anyway, 2400 is all I use anymore for mag loads. Just love the stuff.

rnovi

Good post, good info.

While most 44 Mag shooters like H 110 or 296 with heavy bullets and full power loads...

In 4" barrels at less than full max loads 2400, is a great choice.

In fact in some of the research/reading I have done recently 2400 is almost, within a few fps, and sometimes faster, equaling the velocity of H 110 and 296 with bullets from 240gr u to 320gr... With much less ressure...

back in the day My top loads with my 240gr Cast bullet, or 240 Jacket bullets was 22.5gr of 2400, or 24gr of H 110.

In truth I could not tell any differences in performance between the two different powders...


I did not have a Cronograph back in those days...

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
rnovi

Good post, good info.

While most 44 Mag shooters like H 110 or 296 with heavy bullets and full power loads...

In 4" barrels at less than full max loads 2400, is a great choice.

In fact in some of the research/reading I have done recently 2400 is almost, within a few fps, and sometimes faster, equaling the velocity of H 110 and 296 with bullets from 240gr u to 320gr... With much less ressure...

back in the day My top loads with my 240gr Cast bullet, or 240 Jacket bullets was 22.5gr of 2400, or 24gr of H 110.

In truth I could not tell any differences in performance between the two different powders...


I did not have a Cronograph back in those days...

Hogdon list the follow load data for H-110/296

240 GR. NOS JHP Winchester 296 .429" 1.600" 23.0 1413 25,200 CUP 24.0 1522 36,200 CUP
240 GR. NOS JHP Hodgdon H110 .429" 1.600" 23.0 1413 25,200 CUP 24.0 1522 36,200 CUP



A max load of 24 grains with a 240 grain bullet for only 36,200 CUP of pressure

Alliant list a max load for 2400 at 21 grains but does not list the pressure

I am curious as to how you determined that 2400's pressure to be lower than H-110/296.


I dought that is the case and I would bet that H-110/296 to be lower in pressure at top loads since it is a bit slower in burn rate

jwp

I saw an article a while back that listed pressures for 2400, H110 and 296.

The 2400 pressures were lower at same velocities.

It suprised me as well.

Back when I was shooting the 44 mag quite a bit I used a bunch of 2400 and H110 for full power loads.

After a tune up on my 6.5" and 2 tune ups on my 4" 29's I dropped my loads a little to 21 gr of 2400. [My loads are all with the old 2400].

Could not tell any difference in performance and the new load was almost as accurate as the 22.5gr load.

I will see if I can find it.

I've always gotten more velocity with H-110/296 with max loads without case sticking issues. I've used a lot of 2400 in the past, but I much prefer H-110/296 for full power loads.


If that articles infor was correct I'd wager that was an exception and not the rule

Another vote for H-110/W-296 for heavy bullets in the larger bore magnum rounds.

I love 2400 in my .357, and it works fine with the lighter bullets in the bigger bores. Also good with cast bullets in rifles.

H-110 might not be the most versatile powder, but for the niches it fills, I'd say it is the best powder.

Now jwp not everybody wants to sling projectiles faster than the speed of raptor aircraft,hahahahahaha

That being said another vote for H110.I've loaded some 320s 19gr of H110=1233fps.Up or down 1 gr showed no pressure issues.This from a 5 1/2"bl.Not sure what fps you are after but maybe this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by cottonstalk:
Now jwp not everybody wants to sling projectiles faster than the speed of raptor aircraft,hahahahahaha

Really? Is this true? I have clearly been misinformed!

Well Gents, I think I do know that not all of you feel that you always need to run the "reactor" at 110%.

For those of us that shoot our S&W 44 Mags a LOT, there is nothing wrong with dropping our normal general purpose "fullish" power load down a bit.

If you know you are going to hunt BIG big game, then you can load to the Outer envelope.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm not going to hunt rhinos with heavy cast, although the Nebraskan Chargin' Chipmunks might provide an opportunistic shot . Heck, we don't even have black bear or piggies here. MO has hogs and are on the radar scope. I just wanted to add heavy cast alternatives to my "portfolio" to join the everyday 240/210gr (respectively) JHPs that get loaded to hunt medium game and carry for mountain lion protection (yes, we do have a few of them). I have a few pounds of 2400 and wanted to use what I have on hand.

When I became a handgun only hunter in 1989 I had no idea at all in what I was doing, case in point my first hunting handgun was a S&W 657 (everyone knows you can't kill anything unless it's killed with a .44MAG). Being that I was clueless I asked for help. I got in touch with Paco Kelly and he guided me along. My very first load for my 657 was 19.5g of 2400 using a 250g bullet from Cast Performance. I used that load until 2002 when I cut back to 17g of 2400

Part II The 17g 2400load is all I use in all the .41s that live in my safe. With that load 17/2400/250 I get 1150-1287fps depending on the gun. That load will shoot through the front shoulders at 30 or less yards of, deer, pigs up to 350lbs, large goats up to 400lbs, feral range cattle up to 1200lbs and one bison cow 650lbs+ at 67 yards.

For less than max loads with 265's I have used 15.5-16.5 gr of 2400 with very nice accuracy. I like 2400 over 296/110 for its versatility and the ability to down load. The other powder that I have had very good luck with for less than max loads loads is IMR 4227. It has also given wonderful accuracy.