I bought a copy of "Six Guns" in 1955. Still have it. But some of Elmer's loads were quite heavy. Tried his 44 Special loads in my SA Colt& backed them off 2 grains, Too much for me. But I've taken 5 deer with the reduced loads out of the old [1926] Colt. But old Elmer was the first of the gun writers that brought us into the smokeless age.

I have to agree with Dick's comment about backing off on Elmer's load (in the 44 Magnum) for everyday shooting, but I do not think it was unsafe, per se. It is just a bit hard on the shooter, unless you really need it.

As has been pointed out elsewhere, EK did have the 22 grs #2400 load tested by White Laboratory and it was found to be acceptable. I generally use about 19.0 grs (same as for the .41 Magnum) and have found it much more pleasant to shoot. It would always knock down a 200m ram just as positively as would the 22 grs load, so it was good enough for me. I still prefer this load for most 44 Magnum shooting.

In .41 Magnum, I have always stayed at the low end of EK's recommendation, viz. 19.0 grs. That one runs around 1400 FPS in my 6" gun, which is plenty, as far as I am concerned. I can't see anything to be gained with a bit more powder.

I do see that newer lots of #2400 do seem to be more uniform than older ones, as Skip pointed out. I just tested a new batch of .41s made with new Alliant #2400 and compared it to my old notes from the last batch (in the '90s). Results were similar to Skip's. I will take 100 FPS less velocity and drastically increased uniformity every time, so I have a good opinion of the new-production #2400 powder.

I've shot 22 gr of 2400 in the SBH and it was a handful. I wouldn't try that in my M29-3...more like 20 gr. Elmer was quite a character. I may have mentioned this before but I had the great pleasure of meeting this legend at the 1974 NRA Convention in Atlanta and it was an experience. Got to talk with him briefly, shake his meaty hand, and got him to autograph the G&A "Blackpowder" mag they had on hand. He had an article about the Sharp's rifle in it and that's where he signed. He kept thumbing through the magazine and said, "I know I've got an article in this sum bitch somewhere...ah, here it is." I never forgot that.