I used to use lots of Hercules H2400 in reloading for my magnum pistols and liked it a lot. Shot to shot variations with different lots were always found to be fairly consistent, indicating very uniform burning rates.

After a very long hiatus I started loading for a .44 Maggie, again. I used to own a SW Model Twenty Nine with a custom five inch barrel. My old load in that gun back in the early 80s was 20. 5 grns of H2400, WW cases, CCI large Pistol primers and a 240 grn hard cast. Velocity was an even 1300 fps and the load did everything I wanted it to do. I used Elmer Keith's old load of 22 grns. and thought it was too hot, so I dropped it.

I recently bought a Ruger SBH with a 6" barrel. I started to use my old load and hesistated. Instead, I dropped the charge to nineteen grains. The load is as follows. 240 grn. Hardcast, COL 1.605, CCI 300 LP, PMC cases, Nineteen grns. Alliant 2400 lot # CE 051nine.

I'm glad I did, because that load thundered out the barrel at 1465 fps for an average of six shots chrono'ed at five yds. I confirmed that Lee in his Modern Reloading states 18 point seven grains as max. with a 240 jacketed slug.

It appears that Alliant 2400 is much faster burning than the old Hercules stuff and powder charges need to be really scaled back if using the Alliant powder, otherwise it's burning way too hot! I expect to drop it down to seventeen and half grains to get my old 1300 fps load back on line.

Is there anyone with similar experiences?

BTW, the above Alliant load is a humdinger for accuracy...1.5" for 10 shots a 30 yds. off a rest.

[ 09-25-2002, 09:59: Message edited by: Naconah ]

This may be more of a difference between two guns and less of a difference in powder lots. Every gun is a rule unto itself and a load that is safe in one may be totally dangerous in another gun. Rugers have a reputation for tight chambers and bores and frequently give higher pressures and velocities with many loads. To see if there is a difference in powder lots you would need to try those loads in that Smith 29.

I have no direct experience but have seen it reported that new 2400 is faster than the old.

I've heard the same as Twillis. And like him I've no direct experience because I've been using H110 for a while now. I guess this really underscores the need to allways back off and work your way back up with regard to charge weight.

I don't remember the eaxct charge but it was about 21.0 grains or slightly more that I used. It was darn accurate. Cloverleafs were not uncommon in my Super Blackhawk. I may have to try some more 2400 for grins.

-Mike

I have always used 22 grains of 2400 in my .44 SRH with a 240gr. Keith SWC. The old Hercules and the new Alliant provide approx. the same velocity in my gun. I think it may have more to do with you using a different firearm.

Thanks people.
I am beginning to think that you are right Sharkbait and Stans. But, in checking around with local shooters, I have been told that they have had to cut charges in going to Alliant. So, I don't really know for sure. I am glad that my innate caution took over and that I dropped the charge or I could have possibly blown the Ruger. If Alliant is not burning significantly hotter, then why are rumors to this effect going around? Hmmmm.

Gunshop guru's sometimes spew information that is not always entirely accurate. Some clerks are on the ball and know what they are talking about. Others are just talking so that they can hear their own voice.

I use 2400 with fed mag large pistol primers for my 45 colt with my light target loads but i have not used hercules and i use lil gun for my heavy loads with cast performance 325 cast bullets.

I feel that 2400 is a very good powder but for good powder burn i use mag primers wish i could answer your question but i can't sorry.

My recent experience with 300 gr XTP indicates to me that Alliant 2400 is too fast in this application. I can't compare it to the older powder directly but it seems faster to my unscientific mind.

BTW, IMR 4227 worked great seated at 1.720" (the second cannelure) in my Redhawk.

Redial

Cannister powder is different from bulk powder.
It costs twice as much to blend it to the specification.
2400 is canister powder.
It does not vary much as the specification does not vary.
The Speer load books vary because Speer varies.

"Speer 3" 1959 44mag 240 gr JSPoooooo23.0 gr 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 6" 1964 44mag 240 gr JSPoooooo23.0 gr 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 7" 1966 44mag 240 gr JSPoooooo23.0 gr 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 8" 1970 44mag 240 gr JSPoooooo24.0 gr 2400 1574 fps
"Speer 9" 1974 44mag 240 gr JSPoooooo19.5 gr 2400 1344 fps
"Speer 10" 1979 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 22.2 gr 2400 1392 fps.
"Speer 11" 1987 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 22.2 gr 2400 1452 fps
"Speer 12" 1994 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 17.7 gr 2400 1271 fps
"Speer 13" 1998 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 21.0 gr 2400 1434 fps

No two guns with give the same results with a given load. 20.5 gr of 2400 seems hot for a S&W and possibly a Ruger Redhawk. Drop the load back to 19.0 and then to 17.5 grains of 2400.

You mentioned that Lee shows a lighter load, but that was with a jacketed bullet and the load should be lighter than a load with a lead bullet.

I agree with stans. I heard the same thing, that "new" 2400 is faster than "old" 2400. But I am using 28 grains of "new" 2400 with a 265-grain LBT GC in my .454 Casull, and it gives 1550 FPS from a 5.5" barrel. Not too hot!

Naconah, In my 7.5" Redhawk, I'm getting 1425fps with 21grs. 2400, Midway cases, Fed primers, and 240gr. XTPs, my powder and loads for that matter is from the year 1989, that's maybe a little hot, too. Got an article from an old Shootingtimes from around the same year, and the author was getting 1375fps with the same load, Did you get ahold of Alliant to see what the max they get for your bullet weight? You'd think that 2400 should've stayed the same over the past 15-20 years, maybe not. I'm going to e-mail them myself and see what the deal is. Jay

Went to Alliant's website, for the 240L(GC) the max load for 2400 is 20.6grs. for a velocity of 1510 from a 5.7" barrel, So as long as your not getting stuck cases, you should be safe. Jay

I'm loading 20.0 grains under a Keith 250 SWC from Leadheads Bullets, standard primer- CCI 300 in my model 29 Smith. No problems, great load.