320 gr. cast bullets and 2400 powder

[David Sinko]

Can anybody suggest a decent load with the 320 gr. SSK type cast bullets and 2400 in the .44 Magnum? I was just given some of these bullets and there's no way I'm going to shoot them out of my Mountain Gun. A friend has a Super Blackhawk and a Super Redhawk and they should suite him just fine. I can't find any loading data with this combination but it should work. I figure it should be good for about 1100 FPS but I don't know where to start.

Dave Sinko

 

[canoe on the yukon]

David,

While not the same bullet,the Lyman 325 gr 429649 with an OAL of 1.700 (in the 44 magnum case)should give you a start.According to Lyman.....

Starting load...13.7gr 2400...812fps...24,100cup

Max load....16.3gr 2400.....1008fps....37,000cup

From a 4" vented test barrel

 

[Dale53]

Dave;
SSK will give you loading information. I'd just call ol' J.D. Jones up and ask him to send you a copy of his data. I have found J.D. to be VERY cooperative.

He will send you complete loading data for $1.00 per caliber + $1.00 shipping. That is pretty cheap for specific GOOD data.

http://www.sskindustries.com/ssk.htm

Dale53

 

[shorty500]

or to make life simpler i happen to have JDJ's data for the big 320g right handy. been using that slug since late 80's when bought the mold from him. never tried the 2400 load that was given but it should work out just fine if cast and loadedproperly. the pressure data JDJ sent with my mold shows a MAX load of 20g of 2400. an overall cartrdge legth of 1.725" which would mean seating deep and using the top crimp groove. showed a velocity of 1413fps from the 9.25 inch pressure barrel and generates 40,900CUP( thats CUP not PSI)
based on similar speeds from that test tube compared to the real world velocities from various guns have used over the years that load would give approximatly 1250fps in 4 to 5.5" barreled revolvers, 1300 to almost 1400 in 6 through 8" guns and 1375fps PLUS in barrels over 9.5" or in the 10inch Contender/encore. probably run 1500 to 1600fps using Super14 barrels or a rifle tube of 18-20 inches

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

20 grains of 2400 was a max load in my 7.5" SRH, using the exact same bullet. I tried 21, but it was a little too warm, giving sticky extraction. I was using Fed 155 primers, and WW cases. It gave me right at 1400 FPS BTW, across my Oehler 35P.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Meh. I'd load them to 800-900 fps and shoot them from the Mountain Gun. Could be a lot of fun.

 

[David Sinko]

Thanks for the replies. I decided to load them with 16.4 grs. of 2400, which I think I saw on handloads.com. It seems this is not full potential in a Ruger, but better safe than sorry, especially in somebody else's revolver.

I also found a small quantity of 300 gr. plated bullets which in my younger and more foolish days I had loaded into a friend's .445 Supermag at velocities significantly higher than the recommended 1000 FPS maximum. That might be a good candidate for the Mountain Gun at lower velocities.

Dave Sinko

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Do go to JD for data.
I have an original mold and data. One crimp gruve and not recomended for S&W
WW296 or WW680 [aka AA1680] were the best powders we found at the time.
Very hard hitting but with this exception- not for small game!!!
Deer will not stop this bullet under 50 yds at any angle...
Unless you have big harry bittey scratchy [BHBS] IN THE AREA,or are hunting big elk or moose you just don't need the hole punching power this bullet has.
It was built for Metal targets out to 200 yds or the bigggest stuff on Earth!!!