14 grains of 2400 in 357 Magnum

[sbrmike]

How stout of a load is a 357 Magnum loaded with 14.0 grains of 2400 in Federal cases with Fed 100 primer and 158 grain Remington SJHP bullets? I have numerous manuals from numerous eras and numbers are all over the place. It definitely feels pretty stout in my 60-15 three inch!

[M29since14]

Based on just my own experience, that’s enough. I wouldn’t advise more, particularly if you use the ammo in K-frame guns. I use 13.0 because I often shoot Model 19s and 66s and I don’t want to be too hard on them. I wouldn’t be afraid of 14, but I’d rather take it easy on my guns. JMHO.

[4barrel]

That is one of my favorite bench rest loads for .357. 14 gr. of 2400 with a 158 jhp and a standard primer. I shot some yesterday.

[oddshooter]

Medium hot. I think you're still under book max. Probably around 1400fps.

[Curt Blunt]

According to the Alliant website you are in spec.

[mike campbell]

Too hot for mine. Every .357mag I've loaded for over the years told me they preferred no more than 13.5. That data has been around for decades and is likely safe, but I won't fight sticky extraction with any revolver. And just because it feels stout you'll have no clue what velocity it is without a chronograph. You'll be pressing hard to move a 158 @ 1250+ out of a 3" revolver. I've used 2400 for accuracy loads with cast bullets, but If I want max velocity with a magnum pistol cartridge, I go with WW296 which has never given me sticky extraction in any firearm.

[rockquarry]

That's a warm load but probably safe. I found 12 grains #2400 with an H&G 160 gr. SWC to be plenty.

[sbrmike]

Some books have it middle of the road, Nosler has 12.5 as max. This were given to me by a trusted friend. They extract just fine, but I don't want to stress my gun too much either. They smack the hand a lot harder than Federal American Eagle 158 SJSP's!

[alwslate]

It probably does feel like a heavy load in a J frame. J frame .357s are
likely why the .357 has been watered down from older specs. 14.0 grs
of 2400 with a mild std primer and a 158 gr JHP will probably not chrono
at more than 1100 fps out of your 3" mod 60.

[Gene L]

Originally Posted by oddshooter

Medium hot. I think you're still under book max. Probably around 1400fps.

Load Data shows 11xx fps with 14 gr. of 2400 with 158 gr. bullet.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Originally Posted by Gene L

Load Data shows 11xx fps with 14 gr. of 2400 with 158 gr. bullet.

You'll never know till you cronograph a load from YOUR gun. For years my std. 357 load is my cast 168 gr. swc pushed by 13.5 grs. of #2400. It cronos out of my 6" 27 at 1256 fps avg., and out of my 3 1/2" 27 at 1209 fps avg.
Never trust an internet load. Always consult a loading manual.

[Nightowl]

I've been loading 13.5 grains with 158 HiTec coated bullets. Like you,I have found the manuals all over the place. Some folks have even gone 15 to 15.5!! I have thought about going to 14 but as yet have not had the need. 13.5 gives enough of a fireball out of a 3 1/2 27 to satisfy me! :-)

[Nick B]

From my notes 14 grains with a 158 grain Zero JSP shot out of my
5.5” Freedom Arms averaged 1253 FPS.

[Biggfoot44]

Answer #1 - Yes , manuals are all over the place , use your best judgement , not what faceless people tell you on the internet . That said , I would have no qualms over doing so , and remain tight lipped about what 2400 loads I may or may not have used . ( And FWIW , chrono your own gun, instead of other peoples velocities .)

Answer #2 - With an J Frame, the limiting factor is the contol/ pain factor , not the strength of the gun .

[phonejack]

I use 12.0 w/158's. All the power I want in a pistol. In my rifle it does the trick on medium deer.

[stevebarracuda]

Definitely not as hot as some of the older .357 factory loads , but one of my favorites.

[Qc Pistolero]

I'd say near the top end.In some guns,it might even be stretching it.With jacketed bullets(more friction),1300fps is a pretty good return on your investment.Lots of guys would be surprised at their loads if they'd chrono it.Performance in the 1200s fps is more the norm.
But do you need to tax that gun with the last bit of ooomph to get 50 or 75fps more?The target won't know the difference between 1203 and 1281 fps.And your gun will thank you by giving you a longer servicetime.
All this to say that I'd go down a bit,like say 13.5gr.

[Nevada Ed]

14 grs with a 158 gr bullet is a nice warm loading in a good weapon..........

I have down loaded to 11.4 grs in a 686 6" for 1039 fps for an
extra light target load, so I don't have to grip the revolver so hard, do to recoil.

Tight groups.

[sbrmike]

I guess I am going to return these to my friend. I don't care about the velocity; he gave them to me as a potent load for my backup gun while bear hunting. I have my Federal American Eagle factory 158 grain Semi-Jacketed Soft Points and will load up some sensible loads with Remington 158 grain Semi-Jacketed Hollow Points over 7.5 grains of Unique with Fed 100 Primers. Thanks to all. I am not a fan of max or near max loads, especially in my brand new J-Frame model 60-15!

[pasound]

12.5-13 Gr of 2400 with a 158Gr LSWC, (or 12-12.5 Gr with a 158Gr JSWC) are heavy in a 60-15, and accurate to point of aim. The .38+P 120-158 Gr handloads or factory loads are much friendlier, and shoot just a little higher on the .357 sight settings, if for home defense use.

[Qc Pistolero]

Originally Posted by sbrmike

I guess I am going to return these to my friend. I don't care about the velocity; he gave them to me as a potent load for my backup gun while bear hunting. I have my Federal American Eagle factory 158 grain Semi-Jacketed Soft Points and will load up some sensible loads with Remington 158 grain Semi-Jacketed Hollow Points over 7.5 grains of Unique with Fed 100 Primers. Thanks to all. I am not a fan of max or near max loads, especially in my brand new J-Frame model 60-15!

If I may stretch my neck out once more,I'd start at 6.9 Unique(from experience).Each and every gun being a law unto itself,7.5 might a high starting point.
I once had a model 66 which would have balked at 7.5.

[gwpercle]

Speer Manual #14
357 Magnum (handgun) 158 grain JHP-JSP , 2400 powder
Test gun S&W model 19 , 6 inch barrel , standard CCI 500 primer .

Start Charge : 13.8 grains @ 1128 fps
Max. Charge : 14.8 grains @ 1265 fps.

Your load of 14.0 grains seem just about right. 14.3 grains would split the difference exactly .... but would you gain anything ?
Find the most accurate load and go with it .
I usually find my pet loads falling somewhere in between start and max .
The newer Speer reloading manual is my first go to for reliable data .
This one usually keeps you out of trouble...but don't forget to verify and cross check my data... I could have made a error !
Gary

[jwk]

14.0 GRAINS of 2400 w a 158 grain bullet is my favorite 357 load.

[Dieseltech56]

I never tried 2400 and a 158 in a 357. I'll have to give it a shot, I have a lot of both!

[Wise_A]

If you'd like a Modest Magnum, try 14.3 grains of Alliant 2400 under a 125-grain JSP or JHP. You'll still get the thunder and lightning of a .357, but recoil is more than manageable while still letting you know it's no .38Spl.

I recently tried (and liked!) Zero's 125-grain JHP bullet. Pricing is quite reasonable.

[mtgianni]

It's a *****cat in a Rossi 92 lever. I would save it for an L or N frame in a revolver.

[muddocktor]

14 grains of 2400 with a 158 grain bullet in a model 60 with a 3" barrel sounds like it might be a bit painful to me. Not for the gun; for the hand and wrist. That would be much more comfortable in a K, L or N frame. With that said, I shot around 65 rounds of 14.6 grains of 2400 on some Zero 158 grain JHP bullets today out of my 627 Pro and they were a hoot to shoot. Lots of flame and boom and in that N frame they didn't beat me up either. I brought it, a 29-6 Classic, my ACW 1911 and my Beretta M9 to the range today and killed the hell out of some paper.

[sbrmike]

I guarantee that 14 grains of 2400 with a 158 SJHP is no picnic in my 3 inch model 60-15 with wood grips. I gave them back to my friend. They hurt the hand plenty. I was more concerned about stressing the gun. It will be a good hiking/hunting companion gun as it is small but capable. It replaces my 4 inch 66-2 that I shouldn't have sold.

[Pondoro]

I always look at what Elmer or Skeeter did and then back off a bit. Great authors but they blew up guns. Skeeter considers 13.5 grains Medium!

My Friend, The .357

[protect 2]

For what it worth, I shoot 14.5 gr 2400 powder with 158 gr. Hornady S.P. in Highway Patrolman, 6 in. barrel. Been doing so since 1980. Actually did 15.2 gr 2400 powder, mag primer, 158 gr. S.P back in 1973. In that gun, those loads manageable.

[Pondoro]

John Taffin says Elmer keith used 13.5 grains behind a 173 grain bullet, in a 38 Special!
The Sixguns and Loads of Elmer Keith

(I wouldn't)

But Elmer and Skeeter shooting the things they shot makes me feel good about 13.5 in a modern large 357. They blew up guns so that I don't.

[kraynky]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

That's a warm load but probably safe. I found 12 grains #2400 with an H&G 160 gr. SWC to be plenty.

Twelve works in my 44 special with 240 gr JSP, so it's easy to remember. I typically don't go much over that range in my handguns either. The Marlin 1894 likes the warm ones.

[tops]

I've been loading 15 grs. of 2400 and a 158 gr. SWC since 1965. Larry

[27 Man]

I also load 15.0 grains of 2400 with a bullet I cast from the Lyman 358156 with a gas check. That 13.5 grains that Skeeter shot in .38 Special cases was shot in a .357 Magnum case because, at the time, .38 Special cases were more plentiful than the magnum cases.

[alwslate]

I doubt that any N frame .357s have been blown up with 2400 and 158 gr
bullets. There's a limit as to how much 2400 you can get in a case. As
mentioned above 15-15.5 grs used to be a standard load behind a 158 gr
cast bullet for many years before the weaker .357s came along.

[Bakebfr480]

I've shot thousands of 357's loaded with 13.5 grains of 2400 with Elmer's bullet in a 19-4 with no ill effects yet!

[dhom]

That load should not create any problems. Did you work your way up to it? In 2 of my revolvers with 6" and 6 1/2" barrels that load clocks in at 1350 fps. I am running thru a chrono set at 12 ft from the muzzle. Actually, I have used that powder [2400] up to 14.8 gr with no pressure signs. The load I settled on is 14 gr/ 2400, CCI 500 and 158 gr Hornady XTP. Using a 3 moa red dot at 100 yds the groups average 3". On the other hand I have used 296 up to 17 gr with a mag primer and the same bullet and averaged 100 fps less. These loads are not my recommendations, just my experience.

[Forrest r]

I use 14.7gr of 2400 pushing a cast 158gr fn hp bullet.

That load is used in L-frames or dw's & contenders. I'd be cautious with 2400 loads in a j-frame. Some say that the "new/modern" 2400 burns faster than the older 2400. A link to some interesting reading about h2400 vs a2400.

Test of Hercules vs Alliant 2400 in the 357 Magnum with 6 different primers

[cowboy4evr]

I called on the phone, Alliant and asked the question " is the newer 2400 hotter , faster burning than the old " ? The answer I got was " not to our knowledge " . He went on to explain that if it was faster burning or slower burning than the industry allowance (4% difference) then they would have to call it 2500 or 2300 . Remember , making powder is not an exact science , that is every batch will be exactly as the previous , hence the gov't allowance for a small variation . Testing 2 batches of the same powder doesn't necessarily prove anything . If one batch is 3-4% faster and the other 3-4% slower that would give a velocity difference and yet they are both in industry standards and there fore considered the same powder . Regards, Paul

[Forrest r]

Originally Posted by cowboy4evr

I called on the phone, Alliant and asked the question " is the newer 2400 hotter , faster burning than the old " ? The answer I got was " not to our knowledge " . He went on to explain that if it was faster burning or slower burning than the industry allowance (4% difference) then they would have to call it 2500 or 2300 . Remember , making powder is not an exact science , that is every batch will be exactly as the previous , hence the gov't allowance for a small variation . Testing 2 batches of the same powder doesn't necessarily prove anything . If one batch is 3-4% faster and the other 3-4% slower that would give a velocity difference and yet they are both in industry standards and there fore considered the same powder . Regards, Paul

It's not the velocities that mater. It's the +/- 20% increase in pressure between the powders that might not be a good thing when using a j-frame revolver. In the link I posted above the fed100 primers had a 20% increase in pressure between the 2 powders. 38,000psi isn't a good thing when j-frames are concerned

[squidsix]

I load a jacketed 158 grain bullet over 15 grains of 2400 for my Rossi 92.
Once in a while I shoot them in a Blackhawk, but they are a bit hot for K-frames, at least for me.

[Nightowl]

and one of our group brought his chronograph. I shot my 5 inch 627PC 8 shot. Below are results of the 2400 reloads and a 158 Federal factory load

158 coated Missouri Bullet 13.5 gr. 2400
average 1179 fps
Min 1106 fps max 1236 fps
spread 130 fps
SD 43 fps

158 Federal Jacketed soft point
average 1205 fps
min 1121 fps max 1277 fps
spread 156 fps
SD 55.8 fps

It looks to me like the 13.5 load is pretty close to the factory jacketed load. Also, the spread and SD is actually better with the 2400 load than the factory load. I was surprised at spread of the factory load.

I would be interested to see chronograph data on a 14 grain load. I guess I should load some and shoot them out of the same gun

[Forrest r]

I'm getting 1200fps from the 14.7gr/cast 158gr bullet load in a l-comp 586. The l-comp is listed as having a 3" bbl. Reality is the barrel shroud is 3" and the bbl is actually 2 1/2".

That's a pretty hot load but the comp makes a he difference.

[cowboy4evr]

Let’s remember that Skeeter Skelton’s load was using the Lyman 358156 cast gas checked bullet with 2 crimp grooves . Using a 38 special he crimped in the lower crimp groove giving about the same case capacity as a 357 case . I have shot his load for years using 38 special cases as I didn’t have any 357 cases . 13.5 grs of 2400 using that bullet in 38 cases and it worked just fine . Regards Paul