2400 in 4" L frame?

yaktamer · #1 11-07-2009, 10:45 PM

Looking to load a Speer 170 gr. Gold Dot JSP for a 4" L frame (357). The manual lists several powders, including H110 and W296, but I've been told that those powders are too slow for the barrel length, and will likely result in unburned powder and other issues. 2400 is also on the list. Fast burning enough for the 4"?

Old 44 Guy · #2 11-08-2009, 01:02 AM

Yak; I'm using 2400 in my 4" L frame with 158 gr.jacketed Wimchester bullets. Shoots OK . Not much unburned powder either. Besides I have a lot of 2400 on hand.

Gun 4 Fun · #3 11-08-2009, 01:13 AM

All three of those powders will work great in your 4" barrel. Whoever told you differently, has had no hands on experience with them apparently. Use magnum primers for the ball powders, and standard with 2400. Alliant (manufacturer of 2400) does not recommend a magnum primer, and using them can cause pressure problems. I know some here do use them, but I have tried both and never been able to see any benefit with magnum primers when using my Oehler chrono, and since the maker says to use standard primers, that's what I do.

You won't have unburned powder issues either. With any of them, unless you try to download the ball powders especially, which is a no-no.

Vulcan Bob · #4 11-08-2009, 01:28 AM

It helps to use a heavy roll crimp with 2400. It will work just fine in a four inch. Magnum primers or no? My older Speer manuals say yes but recently the opinion of some folk like Brian Pierce say they are not needed.

jibjab · #5 11-08-2009, 02:52 AM

I have excellent results with 158-180gr jacketed using AA#9 at the upper end of the load data in a Ruger Security Six with a 2.75" barrel, clean powerful and accurate.

Tell Sackett · #6 11-08-2009, 07:39 AM

There isn't one pistol powder that will be completely done burning in a 4" tube. If you don't believe that find a carbine chambered in you caliber and run the same rounds down it. You will see an increase in velocity even with Bullseye. I've done it. 4.7gr of Bullseye behind a 230gr 45ACP will increase from 800fps to 1000fps from a Marlin Camp rifle.

What you need to know is that you will have greater velocity in short barrels with slower powders. It will just depend on how much muzzle flash you want!

If it were me, 2400 would be my choice for that barrel length or AA#9. H110/W296 are the exact same powder and will give you a fire ball like no other powder on the market. To each his own, but not for me.

yaktamer · #7 11-08-2009, 10:02 AM

Thanks for the responses. FYI, current Speer manual says standard primers for 2400.

Treeman · #8 11-08-2009, 11:17 AM

Tell, Allow me to pick a nit. Velocity increases with longer barrels do not prove that powder combustion was incomplete in shorter barrels. Increased velocity is a product of continued gas expansion. Velocity will increase so long as gas expansion has sufficient pressure to overcome bore friction. Many of the fastest pistol powders are completely combusted by the time the bullet clears the case mouth. Even "slow" pistol powders are completely combusted in the first couple of inches(or as completely as they will combust-some powders leave unburned granules in any barrel length at normal pressure levels---However gas pressure and expansion remains high enough to cause accelleration for many inches more

Tell Sackett · #9 11-08-2009, 01:52 PM

Tree,
Excuse the ignorance in speaking. Of course it is gas expansion but is called "burning" by most lay folks, of which I am one!

Case in point though is that slower powders, no matter the barrel length, is going to give higher velocity over fast powders. Been proven since the venerable Speer #8!

Treeman · #10 11-08-2009, 04:07 PM

Tell,You are quite correct-the highest velocities are produced by the "slowest" suitable powders regardless of barrel length.

Steve C · #11 11-08-2009, 05:38 PM

As others have mentioned, you will get your best velocities with the slower powders. There's not much difference in velocities that you will get from H110/W296 vrs 2400, AA#9 and the other "slow" pistol powders in that burn rate. I've often got some of my best velocities out of 2400.

Use standard primers with 2400 as it is easily lit. Magnum primers will push pressures up with 2400.

I wish people would quite calling residue "unburned" when discussing pistol powders. Its like calling ash unburned paper, charcoal, etc. There are few solids that convert completely into gas when burned and just about all will leave some solid residue. Its not like you can scrape all this residue and load another round with it as its already "spent" or burned.

Landric · #12 11-08-2009, 06:35 PM

I have good results with 2400 in both my 4" L-frame and 2 1/4" and 3" Ruger SP101s. I use 2400 pretty much exclusively for my .357 Magnum loads.

I like 2400 for a number of reasons, its available locally, it fills the case quite nicely making a double charge impossible (and an overcharge obvious), I get good performance out if it, and it meters perfectly in my Uniflow powder measures.

Loading what amount to 38-44s in my 681 I get between 1100 and 1200 fps with a 173 grain LSWC, depending on the exact charge. Using magnum brass it takes a bit more to get the same velocities, and getting 1100 fps out of my 2 1/4" SP101 is no problem with a 158 grain SJHP or SWC.

I've loaded magnums with a number of different powders, I've not found one yet I like better than 2400.