I have a ton of 2400 powder and Missouri Bullet Co 180 gr Wide Flat Nose bullets, Brinell 18. Well, I exaggerated there, its actually 4 1/2 pounds of powder and 250 bullets.

I used to shoot this out of a SW 686 and a Ruger gp100 with a load of 11.5 gr of 2400 for a little HMSA and long range paper target shooting. I now have an injured hand and at least for the foreseeable future need a milder load. This will just be for short range paper targets and plinking so I do not need target accuracy.

The lowest load I can find for 2400 and 180 gr. bullets is 11.1 but I want less recoil than that even. I have HP38, BE and Trail Boss on hand but can't seem to find data for these powders and a 180gr bullet. I have two specific questions for anyone who can help.

1. Any suggestions for a bullet (that is not terribly expensive) and a charge weight that will give me moderate recoil using 2400? The data I have found seems to indicate that light bullets are going pretty fast with even a minimum load of 2400 and may still recoil a bit more than I want.

2. Any suggestions for a powder that will give moderate recoil with those 180 grain bullets? My books show no data for bullets that heavy for HP38, BE or Trail Boss. I know there is a method for using trail boss like black powder and loading to a certain density but that is beyond my reloading skill.

I will be buying 125 and/or 158gr bullets for my other powders anyway but I hate to waste all that 2400.

Thanks.

Actually, using Trail Boss the way you want is NOT beyond your skill.

IMR has published for Trail Boss that any load that fills the case to just under the base of the seated bullet with no compression whatsoever is a safe load under a lead bullet.

It's my opinion/experience that you will not be able to create a GOOD load with 2400 if loaded too light. It will be erratic and sooty, dirty if you don't get it up to pressure. 2400 is a wonderful powder but like all powders, it needs to be used in it's wheelhouse for great results.

EDIT to add more suggestion: 4.5 pounds of 2400 would have me worried that I'm almost out of 2400! Kept closed and in a relatively low humidity environment and your 4.5 pounds of 2400 can wait out the next decade-plus to see where your injury takes you... ready for action when you again want true magnum loads. Please don't feel like it will expire or over ripen. Great, stable powder that will wait for your next move, whenever that is.

2400 is not happy down loaded. I'd put it aside till I had a use for it.
I load the same bullet (180gr. MBC WNFP, coated) with CFE-P for pin matches. Bonus is that powder works well with 38+P, 9mm, 45acp and a bunch more calibers.

You can use those 180s with a 38 special case and 2400. I shoot 200 grain with a 38 special case and 2400 in my 681 and is good on paper. I use the Lee data for this on the low side. Make sure the over all length is correct by the book. You are saying 2400 powder so I wont suggest other. It is not that dirty in my guns. Just wipe it down.

I've used 9 grains with a 180 and 200 grain bullets in a 38 Special case. The load data is pretty old and I only shoot them in .357 chamber guns but it works just fine. Not a clean burning load I suppose but not as dirty as I expected. Obviously use at your own risk.... There are literally millions of results if you do a Google search on the topic.

Trail Boss is super easy to load. figure out where the base of the bullet will sit in the case and set your dispenser to fill the case up to that point.

Trail Boss should be the answer to your question.

When Trail Boss first came out, they hadn't worked out exact loading data yet so the rule of thumb is a gap of 1/16 to 1/8 inch. I have not seen much difference in groups verses gap size in revolvers. I rifle cartridges, you will want 1/16" not more, not less! My 38-55 load changes every time I change the brass or the bullet. I start with measuring how deep the bullet is seated, and fill the first sized primed case to that line minus 1/16". Then I weigh that powder charge and set my powder drop. The results were several 20 shot groups dime size or smaller at 100 yards! Take the time and do a batch and see how great this loading method will make you look!

You will get velocities that are in line with a FFg Black Powder charge the same volume.

Ivan

I can only help with 158 gr cast SWC and Keith 170 gr SWC in 357 Mag cases - I like 12.0 grs with the 158 gr SWC and 11.0 grs with Keith 170 gr (the Keith, crimped on the front driver band). Both “entry level” magnum loads. Expect 1,150 FPS - 1,200 FPS in 6 inch barrels. 2400 shines with the 158 gr cast SWC.

For light loads, you don't want to use the 2400. Any medium burner or fast burner will work with the 180gr lead bullets & recoil can be pretty mild if you slow them down to about 700fps. You can use the HP38 or TB, just go with starting data for 158gr bullets or use jacketed data for 170gr in 38sp. Hodgon shows 4.4gr as max in a 38sp case, vel & pressures will be less in a 357mag case.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

If you don't mind using 38 special cases a full load of 2400 with a 158 lead is around 1027fps, one way to use it up.

A 125gr Jhp at 1300fps is not too bad on recoil.

Good luck.

Thanks very much guys, that is all a tremendous help.

I am going to start with the Trail Boss and go from there. From what I read I can use either a 38 spec case or 357 case, though of course the amount of powder will differ. Also, this bullet has three crimping grooves and, again, as I understand the procedure it will still be a matter of going up to a certain density.

Is there any reason why one combination of case and crimping groove might be safer than another: e.g. 357 case with bullet out as far as possible v. 38 special case with bullet far in the case, v. somewhere in between?

Obviously, I have to keep the oal within correct bounds but if I go for a given density, say 90%, is it all going to be the same for safety? Of course, velocity will differ and I don't want any squibs but I want to have a big safety margin trying this since it is a new concept to me.

Outside of a powder / bullet combination you may want to consider a nice lever action rifle in 357 ... tons of fun with even the stoutest loads.

I found in my records a load of 7.5gr with 180gr bullet listed as a +p 38 load as well as 4.4 gr Unique for +p as well. Can’t remember if I ever tried these or not

You mentioned , " low recoil " using 180 gr cast bullets in a 357 case . Accurate Powder #2 is listed as a " low recoil " powder and has load data for 187-200 gr cast bullets . What I don't like about Trail Boss is that the bottle you buy is only 9 ounces , for almost the same price as a pound of others . I would go with #2 , as I have used it in the past in some 45 Colt loads and I really like it . Regards, Paul

Bingo. I followed the Trail Boss advice and found it easier to do than I anticipated. Ended up with 4.6 gr in 357 brass with 1.600 aol and the crimp on the third groove. Very mild and at close range pretty accurate as well. Actually, I will bump it up a bit and I have room to do so as this loading is only 80% density.

I'm going to solve the 2d part of the issue by getting a bunch of jacketed 125 grain bullets to burn up the 2400 at the low end of the load range.

Thanks again for the help; and I am also keeping notes on the information for other powders as well. You guys are great.