2400 load for Mod 19 Questions
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David R
Member
I am fifty something. I like seeing folks 67 and 71 still reloading and shooting. My future is brighter! 
David
David
Larry from Bend
Member
I recently loaded both some 44 Specials and 357s with some 2400 that was marked 1978. Worked great (as it always did) in both loads.
My 357s were a bit warmer than yours and I DID shoot some in a 19-3, too. I always use mag primers (or WW primers that don't distinguish mag from regular) with 2400 -- just cuz they say to do so.
My 357s were a bit warmer than yours and I DID shoot some in a 19-3, too. I always use mag primers (or WW primers that don't distinguish mag from regular) with 2400 -- just cuz they say to do so.
That load should work just fine. I don't recall Model 19 forcing cones being particularly fragile until the late Seventies. Revolvers that easily tolerated stiff loads with 158 LSWCs experienced flame cutting and forcing cone problems after hot 125 grain JHPs became all the rage.
Lyman says....
Lyman just puts a note in front of the .357 section that says to use magnum primers on everything and doesn't differentiate. Speer #14 says magnum primers are not needed with 2400 and I've never used them with no problems. With powders like 110/296 they DO recommend magnum primers.
Lyman just puts a note in front of the .357 section that says to use magnum primers on everything and doesn't differentiate. Speer #14 says magnum primers are not needed with 2400 and I've never used them with no problems. With powders like 110/296 they DO recommend magnum primers.
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The standard primer vs. magnum primers with #2400 powder debate will likely go on forever. I was curious about this several years ago. I loaded 12 grains #2400 with the original .357 Magnum bullet - the Hensley & Gibbs #51 plainbase 158 grain SWC cast from wheelweight alloy. I fired five, five-shot groups at 25 yards from a benchrest using the same load, only switching primers between each 25 rounds. I used a Colt Pythom with a six-inch barrel. Loads were chronographed and all group sizes were measured.
Primers: CCI -standard & magnum, Federal- match & magnum, Remington- standard & magnum, Winchester- standard and magnum.
40 groups of 5 rounds each; 200 rounds total.
Muzzle velocities varied from a low of 1183 (Federal small pistol magnum) to a high of 1261 (Win. small pistol magnum). Exactly the same primers gave best accuracy (1.95" for Fed. magnum) and worst accuracy ( 3.10" for Win. magnum). All other primers provided very similar groups sizes, ranging from 2.25" to 2.75".
With the exception of the two extremes, performance was very close in all respects. There was a very slight accuracy advantage with magnum primers, but not enough to convince me to stop using standard primers. However, long-range handgunning, something few of us do, would probably make me reconsider.
Primers: CCI -standard & magnum, Federal- match & magnum, Remington- standard & magnum, Winchester- standard and magnum.
40 groups of 5 rounds each; 200 rounds total.
Muzzle velocities varied from a low of 1183 (Federal small pistol magnum) to a high of 1261 (Win. small pistol magnum). Exactly the same primers gave best accuracy (1.95" for Fed. magnum) and worst accuracy ( 3.10" for Win. magnum). All other primers provided very similar groups sizes, ranging from 2.25" to 2.75".
With the exception of the two extremes, performance was very close in all respects. There was a very slight accuracy advantage with magnum primers, but not enough to convince me to stop using standard primers. However, long-range handgunning, something few of us do, would probably make me reconsider.
Special Thanks!
I wanted to thank "coldmold", a member here, for providing me with the powder bushings I was missing. I now have a complete set, thanks to his kind help. I am very happy to have posted this question on this most friendly forum. Thank you!!!!!!!!
I wanted to thank "coldmold", a member here, for providing me with the powder bushings I was missing. I now have a complete set, thanks to his kind help. I am very happy to have posted this question on this most friendly forum. Thank you!!!!!!!!
My general purpose 357 load for many years has been 12.5 grains 2400, 158 gran cast bullet, standard primer in 357 cases. Used in everything from Model 19's to Model 28's with complete satisfaction. If I want more power I switch to a 44 Magnum.
Hi,
For what it is worth.
I have been trying different loads for my 6 inch Smith Model 19-5, 1984. Powders, primers, bullets and so on. I am very meticulous when it comes to clean brass and clean firearms. I use to load 2400 quite a bit years ago. Load data has changed over the years and my old data did seem rather hot by todays standards. To make a long story shorter, I finally found a load that I and my Model 19 likes. Very clean cases, primer pockets and firearm. 14.8grs. 2400 powder, cci primers, 140gr. Sierra JHP at 1.586 OAL. All with medium heavy crimp. One of the cleanest burns over many other powders, great accuracy (30 yds. 6 shots less 1") and no signs of pressure problems. Used both magnum and standard primers. I do suspect the magnum primers created more pressure. I also loaded 14grs. 2400 and accuracy dropped at ninety feet. Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.
For what it is worth.
I have been trying different loads for my 6 inch Smith Model 19-5, 1984. Powders, primers, bullets and so on. I am very meticulous when it comes to clean brass and clean firearms. I use to load 2400 quite a bit years ago. Load data has changed over the years and my old data did seem rather hot by todays standards. To make a long story shorter, I finally found a load that I and my Model 19 likes. Very clean cases, primer pockets and firearm. 14.8grs. 2400 powder, cci primers, 140gr. Sierra JHP at 1.586 OAL. All with medium heavy crimp. One of the cleanest burns over many other powders, great accuracy (30 yds. 6 shots less 1") and no signs of pressure problems. Used both magnum and standard primers. I do suspect the magnum primers created more pressure. I also loaded 14grs. 2400 and accuracy dropped at ninety feet. Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.
I am fifty something. I like seeing folks 67 and 71 still reloading and shooting. My future is brighter!
David
I'm going to be 75 this month and I still reload and shoot 5000+ centerfire handgun rounds per year. I started reloading in 1964 with a Lyman 310 hand tool. Calibers include .455 Webley, .32 S&W as well as the usual stuff. I think you've got a very bright future indeed! I hope I do too.
cowboy4evr
Member
The " forcing cone " issue was the result of shooting lightweight (125-90gr) jacketed bullets with a compressed load of W296 , it was 21grs and sometimes more . It eroded the forcing cones , weakening them till they cracked .
I routinely shoot 13.5 grs / 2400 in my 19 , 6" with a 158 gr cast bullet . I use std spp's .
I routinely shoot 13.5 grs / 2400 in my 19 , 6" with a 158 gr cast bullet . I use std spp's .
Phish
Member
I am using 13.8 gr of 2400 with 158Gr. Lswc in my 686+ . Its a nice medium load and very accurate.
Double powder charge with a heavy field load like 1 1/4 oz. That really rattles some guns, some even come apart. I don't know what it is about trap shooters, they just load a lot of grenades looking for that magical high velocity load. The very worst of that group is the money shooters. Stay away.
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Nice thread with lots of useful information.
I normally just shoot 38 spl cowboy loads in my model 19's but I want to start using 357 cases and 2400.
To date I've only used 2400 for my rifle loads. It doesn't care about heavy charges, actually shoots better with faster loads.
I'll probably have to paint the primers so I don't get them mixed up.
I'm saving this thread.
I normally just shoot 38 spl cowboy loads in my model 19's but I want to start using 357 cases and 2400.
To date I've only used 2400 for my rifle loads. It doesn't care about heavy charges, actually shoots better with faster loads.
I'll probably have to paint the primers so I don't get them mixed up.
I'm saving this thread.
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I am fifty something. I like seeing folks 67 and 71 still reloading and shooting. My future is brighter!
David
I'm 67 and reload. You have to do something when you retire except mow the lawn and go to the range. I try to stay away from the warden as she has designs on my time.
at_liberty
Member
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says 12.2-13.5. That is essentially 10% lower than Alliant's current load for jacketed (14.3 max). I'd say you're good to go.
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I cracked one using Blue Dot powder. It's not the powder; it is hot loads with bullets of 125 grains or less.
BruceM
Member
I'm sorry but this statement is not factual. Smith & Wesson has NEVER condoned the use of any handloaded ammunition in their firearms and any damage caused when using handloaded ammo was entirely the responsibility of the shooter and not S&W.
The k-frame .357 magnums were designed originally for use in a LE environment where practice would be conducted using .38 Special ammo and the firing of full power 158 grain .357 magnum ammunition would be limited to qualification and duty carry. With the advent of high velocity 110 and 125 grain loadings such as those manufactured by SuperVel, the cracking problems arose. As the popularity of these loadings became more popular, the mainstream ammo companies jumped on the bandwagon and the use of light bullet for the caliber loads became wide spread. Because of this, Smith and Wesson warned against the use of magnum ammunition utilizing bullets lighter than 140 grains in the k-frame magnums. This warning had zero to do with handloads of any type and I don't know where this notion came from or why it continues to be propagated. This goes double for the "W296" enhancer. It is an internet enhanced myth.
Bruce
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