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]

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]

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.