2400 and lead bullets??

[.45mtngun]

Gentlemen,
This question pertains to .357 Mag loads. I normally use H-4227 with my lead cast (wheel weights) bullets in my 28-2. The accuracy is very good! I was going to play around some 2400 loads in a 585 no-dash I just picked up and remember hearing years ago that due to the burning rate that plain base cast bullets tended to lead with that powder and that you were better off with gas checked bullets with 2400. Is this still true to the best of your knowledge? Thanks for your time.
Jim

 

[venomballistics]

2400 and plain based cast causing leading ?!? glad no one ever told me that or I might have passed up a great load.

 

[mkk41]

Since they use no exact alloy that i know of , bullets cast from straight wheelweights might be a bit soft. I use some linotype or scrap 60/40 solder with mine for magnum use. Water quenching helps too. But 2400 and bullets cast from Lyman #2 alloy or harder are great together.

 

[jubela#4]

I have been shooting 13.5 grains of 2400 for years with cast bullets and have never had an issue with leading. The bullets I use are commercial cast offerings from various companies and have all been labeled as "hard cast".
I don't think you will have an issue with leading, I know I don't in any of my model 27's or 28's.

 

[jake m29]

I shoot lead over 13.0 gr of 2400 and likewise there is very little leading in my 27 and 28...... They shoot great too!

 

[David LaPell]

Its more about the softness of the bullet than anything. I use a couple of different bullets in my .357's like #358429 and #357446 and those have no leading at all with some hotter loads of 2400. I cast them from wheel weights and water quench them. No leading.

 

[andyo5]

I recently loaded some 158g hard cast bullets with 14.5g or 2400. I have shot these previously without unusual leading issues. But I would not shoot this load with soft lead bullets.

 

[lebomm]

+1 to David's post (#6). Those loads never leaded my 6.5" Blackhawk or my 4" M13, or my 20" Rossi Puma. Water-quenched wheelweights and 2400 (and Alox-beeswax) are just made for each other. Try it, you'll like it !

Larry

 

[pistole1]

Have had no leading problems, the main thing is to not use magnum primers as this along with 2400 powder causes a lot of pressure, so advise using large pistol primers.

 

[Geno44]

large pistol primers?

Good luck getting large pistol primers in your .357 cases!

 

[.45mtngun]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for your replies. On Veral Smith's BHN tester, my 156 grain bullets (RCBS 150-K SWC), cast of wheel weights, test out about 12.5. I use Veral's LBT standard Blue lube. So they are not really "soft" per se. From your comments, I would guess a load from 13.5 grains to 14.5 grains of 2400 would with standard primers would be a good area to work in for that load. With the 4" barrrel i'm guessing around 1150 to 1200? All comments welcome fellows. I've been reloading for about 44 years but just not with this combination for this caliber. Thanks for your time and any suggestions for a load for this gun with this bullet weight. Thanks.
Jim

 

[BruceM]

Its more about the softness of the bullet than anything.

Negatory!

It's more about the correct size and lube than anything! Water quenching the bullets also provides additional hardening.

Bruce

 

[tomf52]

I've been poushing 100 gr wheelweight bullets out of my Marlin .32 H&R carbine with 2400 loads (some max) and have had NO leading at all. It's all about fit, lube, and matchup of the charge to whatever alloy you use.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

With 2400 remember to use a good firm roll crimp, this helps a lot with uniform ignition and velocity spreads.

 

[Bomberman]

Negatory!

It's more about the correct size and lube than anything! Water quenching the bullets also provides additional hardening.

Bruce

Correct size trumps all else. Get the correct size for your gun and 99% of your problems go away.

 

[Erich]

I also have never had issues with 14.0 gr 2400 and .357 Magnum loadings with plain hardcasts and magnum primers (I know that not everyone likes those with 2400) - I use Tennessee Valley Bullets .358 LSWCs.

 

[alwslate]

This issue of magnum primers and 2400 seems to be fairly recent. I
have a Hercules manual,rev. 4-88, that shows 15.3 grs 2400, 158 gr
LSWC and Fed. 200 primer at 34,000 psi. Newer data shows 14.8 grs
with a std. primer at similar pressure? I get higher velocity and lower
ES with magnum primers with 14 grs or so than with heavier charges
over a std. primer, especially with a 4" barrel revolver. Some older data
went as high as 15.5 grs 2400 with a magnum primer. I know the
max. pressure for the 357 has been revised downward but as long as
powder charge weight is held to about 14.0 grs I would like to know
how magnum primers can be a problem if anyone has some factual
information to share.

 

[Erich]

You'll not hear any concerns from me . . .

 

[ColColt]

If you size the bullet right at or .001" over chamber diameter there shouldn't be any leading with a 158 gr bullet and 13-14 gr of 2400. At least, I haven't had the problem. Cast at a BHN12-15 and sized properly, unless there's a restriction at the barrel to frame junction, you should be good to go. There's no need in a magnum primer with 2400 and it's not recommended.

 

[txbirdman]

2400 and cast bullets a problem? Nobody must have told Elmer Keith because that's about all he used with a bullet of 20:1 (lead to tin). That's a soft bullet but as other's have said "bullet fit is king"