2400 Available Anywhere?

[jjrr]

And Firecrackers for the Ukaraine........If nitrocellulose is/was in short supply..........How come other powders are being made?????

That is the same question that has been in my mind, I am like others who probably have a lifetime supply but this situation is concerning for the future of the shooting sport as we know it, I’m 80yo.

It seems that now days company’s in general are not into building a business and competing in the market. Instead of competing in the market a few are buying up successful business with a name and reputation then cheapening the product and running the business into the ground and when they have milked all profit they can off the reputation of the business toss it aside and do it again.

 

[LostintheOzone]

On the way home from an indoor pistol match on Saturday, I stopped in Shyda's Gun Shop in Lancaster County, PA. They had 2400, but only in 8# kegs. I didn't take note of the price, since I don't use 2400. I want to say that they had at least a dozen kegs.

Probably north of $350 for 8 lbs. would be my guess. I think I paid less than $100 for the 4 lbs I bought about 5 years ago. That's some serious inflation right there.

But that's what inflation is I guess. When the product is in short supply the price goes up.

 

[glenwolde]

I've thought for some time that the American Reloaders are just not anybody's primary market when it comes to consumables. When things are slow in the government markets we are just here to soak up the excess production. But as soon as things heat up, they drop us like a bad habit.

You just have to stay stocked up or deal with substitutions. The current powder situation is nowhere near as bad as the other things we've had to deal with in the last decade (and more before that).

 

[gwpercle]

Call around or visit local gun shops ...
Sometimes powders get set on a shelf and forgotten .
The smaller shops sometime surprise you .
Local Cabela's and / or Bass Pro Shops can turn up surprises .
Even if you have to drive 2 hours away ... No shipping and No Hazmat fees make it very worth while .
Tell the shop owners what you need and leave your Phone # ...
I would get a few small shop owners to call me when powder came in or when they were placing an order ... Get to know the small gun shop owners ... it can pay off Big Time !
Gary

 

[daverich4]

2400 is a very difficult powder to replace.

I replaced it years ago with AA#9 and never looked back. I still have several pounds of 2400 on the shelf but it’s going to stay there as long as I have something else that provides equal performance without all the drama when it goes off.

 

[AJ]

I replaced it years ago with AA#9 and never looked back. I still have several pounds of 2400 on the shelf but it’s going to stay there as long as I have something else that provides equal performance without all the drama when it goes off.

What drama? A load bang and some flash? That is half of the fun of 2400.

 

[alwslate]

Hodgdon Longshot will come close to the velocities reached with 2400 and the smaller charges used cause a lot less "drama" than the near case full loads of 2400.

 

[Patrick L]

2400 is indeed a difficult powder to replace. If you are using it for .44 and .357 magnum pistol loads, there are lots of other alternatives. Some things that 2400 has been a staple for for decades, not so much. I use it for a lot of cast bullet rifle loads, and the data isn't there to do that with AA9, H110, 296, etc.

So it all depends.

 

[rockquarry]

2400 is indeed a difficult powder to replace. If you are using it for .44 and .357 magnum pistol loads, there are lots of other alternatives. Some things that 2400 has been a staple for for decades, not so much. I use it for a lot of cast bullet rifle loads, and the data isn't there to do that with AA9, H110, 296, etc.

So it all depends.

For cast bullet loads in popular cartridges, consider such powders as Reloder 7, H4895, AA5744, and one of the 4198s, if you can find these. With some load development, you should be able to easily duplicate #2400 loads.

 

[lrrifleman]

When I was at Shyda's on Saturday, the clerk and I were discussing the Alliant shortages, among other things. He said that Alliant powders are manufactured offshore, and need to be imported into the US. He shared that in order for Alliant to retain their export permits, they have to divert their propellers to their country's military. I don't know how true that is, but it makes sense.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I've thought for some time that the American Reloaders are just not anybody's primary market when it comes to consumables. When things are slow in the government markets we are just here to soak up the excess production. But as soon as things heat up, they drop us like a bad habit.

You just have to stay stocked up or deal with substitutions. The current powder situation is nowhere near as bad as the other things we've had to deal with in the last decade (and more before that).

Wait until the price of a dozen eggs is $10 sometime this year or gas lines with a 5 gal limit. I doubt many here will remember that. OK boomer.

 

[tom2]

I for one am not convinced H 110 and W 296 are identical in 30 carbines. I loaded most of my carbines with 296 with good results. The recommended load of H 110 seemed a bit hot and bulged cases badly. Every manual says 14 grains of 110 to achieve more or less factory MV but it is too hot and the Winchester equivalent MV load does not do that. However I never tried 2400 in the carbine, just a few magnum loads, and that may be why I still have alot left in the can.

 

[stansdds]

H-110 and W-296 are the same, but they are canister grade powders and there can be variations in burning characteristics from one production lot to another.

 

[BE Mike]

Don't hold your breath.
Alliant is a vista outdoors company.
Vista is not a friend of the sportsman. We are just a means to an end, with that end being a business supported solely by government contracts.
2400 is a very difficult powder to replace. it's the only offering in this burn rate range that plays straight and does the job without the cute party tricks that get 296 and H110 there.
I'll miss it ... but like every other Vista product, I must move on.

Vista sold their ammo and powder companies to CSG (a Czech company), not too long ago. I'm sure that there are some changes being made.

 

[Tim357]

Vista sold their ammo and powder companies to CSG (a Czech company), not too long ago. I'm sure that there are some changes being made.

I was just going to post this. There is a blurb in this month's American Rifleman

 

[rh73]

Fin Feather and Fur a small chain of outdoor stores in Ohio shows 8lb. jugs available. Around $340 plus shipping.

 

[rwsmith]

Because....

Does anyone know why this broad range of popular propellants have been pulled out of production?

I’ve occasionally come across speculation. But, nothing that seems to be a true and verified reason.

..it's like everything else in the US. Cater to corporations, not consumers.

 

[rwsmith]

It sure seems...

What drama? A load bang and some flash? That is half of the fun of 2400.

....plenty enough for me.

 

[AJ]

....plenty enough for me.

I do not load them as stout as I did at one time..........

 

[jsfricks]

I was looking through my powders from where I got into reloading about 14 years ago. I’ve only reloaded a little since most factory loads were cheap enough. I found 4 bottles of Bullseye, 2- Unique, 2-Red Dot, 3 Varget, 1-2400, 1 each of 700x and 800x and 5# of Trailboss and 4# of W231. That should last me a lifetime. So I ordered primers instead.