Some years ago when I wanted to develop deer hunting loads for my three screw Ruger Super Blackhawk I started with the standard full power loads in manuals and used by many handloaders for many years. I loaded 22.0 grs of 2400 and 24.0 grs of 296 with CCI 350 mag primers with 250 cast SWCs and 240 gr JHPs. I got higher velocities with 296 than with 2400 so 296 is what I have always used. If you are loading for a quality gun you do not have to "start low and work up very slowly while watching carefully for signs of high pressure". Pressure signs do not occur at magnum pistol pressures and at any loads listed in manuals.
2400 Mag Primer ?
- Thread starter Luke Duke
- Start date
For those who think magnum primers are "wasted" with 2400, consider this. I like to do comparison tests with my chronograph so I tried a couple of .357 loads one day. The gun was my 4" mod 28-2, Winchester brass,2400 powder with a 158 gr cast SWC. First load was
13.0 grs, std primer, velocity 1144 FPS with ES of 130 FPS.
Second load was a full gr less at 12.0 grs, mag primer, velocity 1228 FPS and ES of 13 FPS. It seems that it's better to say don't waste your powder on std primers.I forgot to say that both std and mag primers were Winchester.
13.0 grs, std primer, velocity 1144 FPS with ES of 130 FPS.
Second load was a full gr less at 12.0 grs, mag primer, velocity 1228 FPS and ES of 13 FPS. It seems that it's better to say don't waste your powder on std primers.I forgot to say that both std and mag primers were Winchester.
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twodog max
Member
From a scientific standpoint your results would mean more if the only variable was the primer selection. By varying the powder charge you changed more than one part of the equation and it is not an apples to apples comparison.
Have you chronographed with only the primer changed? Not saying you are wrong but in the interest of claims of primer selection it would give more validity to the claim.
Have you chronographed with only the primer changed? Not saying you are wrong but in the interest of claims of primer selection it would give more validity to the claim.
I use mag primers when using 2400, especially if I have more of them than spp. I just finished loading 125 gr 357 mag using 16 grs of 2400. Also, my Lyman manual specifies magnum primers for all powders for this bullet weight, although not necessary with faster powders like unique and bullseye.
My 44 is a Super BlackHawk 10.5 in barrel . First run from 1979
smoothshooter
Member
I think the old Rule Of Thumb has been when changing from standard to magnum primers, back the powder charge off a half grain to one grain for the same performance.
With some powders and loads that are not maximum, you can use the same charge.
With some powders and loads that are not maximum, you can use the same charge.
Well since you asked, yes I have. I have done many comparisons with my chronograph and since the original Hercules and Alliant data used Federal 200 SR primers for all loads with the .357 and I had some I decided one day to check for primer effect with a higher charge of 2400. Same gun, 4" 28-2, Winchester brass with a 158 gr cast SWC and 14.2 grs of 2400
Win SP std primer, velocity 1225 FPS ES 47 FPS
Federal 200 SR primer, velocity 1312 FPS ES 62FPS
Win SP mag primer, velocity 1348 FPS ES 28 FPS
It seems obvious to me that 2400 yields far better performance with hot primers at least in the .357. And I don't see why it would be any different with one of the other magnums.
With a Super Blackhawk you do not need to waste your components by starting low and slowly working up to any published loads in manuals.
Although magnum primers are not required for proper ignition of 2400, they certainly can be used. There are two trains of thought regarding powder charge when switching to magnum primers. One says the powder charge stays the same, the other recommends a slightly reduced charge. I'd play it safe, back off on the powder charge and work up to a safe maximum.
That right there needs to be repeated!
Won't hurt a thing. My chronograph says there is no difference with 2400 in 44mag.
