I have been wanting to develop a load for my 41 mag model 57, AA9 has for some reason become spotty in my area, it is sooty and I have not really liked the performance. My LGS had a nice shipment of 2400 so, stocked up a bit. Did a bit of a ladder test, and have have settled on 17.5 grs. Over the chronograph, my load of 17.5 , under a 215 gr SWCBB acme bullet, starline brass and fed primer, did an average of 1340 fps. About perfect, to my way of thinking, the weird part, was 18 grs, and then 18.5 grs, gave chronograph reading, under the 1340, in fact, one cartridge of 18.5 grs, gave a velocity of 1302. Has anyone had this happen?
41 mag 2400 results
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It happens when a powder reaches its best returns and the extra powder.....
either it is still burning as it goes out the barrel or it is not
correct for the bullet weight used.
I have had Unique beat out Blue Dot in a 9mm with a 147gr bullet, due to the case volume set ups.
The perfect load is the powder burning 100% inside the barrel before the bullet leaves it.
Most people have no clue on how short a time measurement this is. Milliseconds !!
Have fun.
either it is still burning as it goes out the barrel or it is not
correct for the bullet weight used.
I have had Unique beat out Blue Dot in a 9mm with a 147gr bullet, due to the case volume set ups.
The perfect load is the powder burning 100% inside the barrel before the bullet leaves it.
Most people have no clue on how short a time measurement this is. Milliseconds !!
Have fun.
38SPL HV
Member
Haven't seen that with my experience with 2400 and 215 gr SWC cast in my 41 Magnums. It was my favorite caliber for years and 2400 was my go to powder for Magnum 215 gr cast loads in 1,200 - 1,275 fps range. Unique and Universal for mid range loads in 950 fps - 1,000 fps range. I no longer own a 41 Magnun, my choice but recommend the 41 Magnum over 44 Magnum, but that's just me.
Steve C
Member
I load Hornady 210gr XTP JHP's on top of 17.5grs of 2400. The load chrono'd at 1,413 fps average for 6 shot string from my S&W 57 with 6" barrel using WW case and primer.
I haven't tried to push 215gr LSWC's faster than what 9.5grs of Unique will at 1,157 fps from my 4" Mountain Pistol. Have not ran this load from the 6" over the chrono.
I haven't tried to push 215gr LSWC's faster than what 9.5grs of Unique will at 1,157 fps from my 4" Mountain Pistol. Have not ran this load from the 6" over the chrono.
Lyman Cast Handbook #4 lists 17.1gr/2400 as max. with a 210gr RCBS L-SWC. 1286fps from a 4" bbl @ 40K CUP. This may account for your drop-off in velocity with higher charges.
Also, were the higher charges starting to leave leading?
.
cowboy4evr
Member
I don't care for the residue on the outside of the case using ACC#9 . I have found Acc 4100 / Ramshot Enforcer (the same) to work well when I couldn't find 2400 and the case was cleaner . They are just slightly slower in burn rate than 2400 but faster than W296/ H110 .
Then there's my " go to powder " for many years in the 41 when I wanted upper end velocity and top accuracy , IMR 4227 using a " full " magnum primer . I only shoot 2 cast bullet designs , the actual " Keith " 220 swc , HG 258 and Veral Smiths LBT LFN 210 . I cast them myself .
Then there's my " go to powder " for many years in the 41 when I wanted upper end velocity and top accuracy , IMR 4227 using a " full " magnum primer . I only shoot 2 cast bullet designs , the actual " Keith " 220 swc , HG 258 and Veral Smiths LBT LFN 210 . I cast them myself .
Nemo288
Member
The 41 mag was developed using 2400.
Not sure I would use Elmer's top load but you can't go wrong using 2400.
I prefer it to any ball powder.
(I am currently reading Elmer's columns from the 70's in "Gun Notes Vol. 2")
I have had velocity reversals a couple of times developing .445 loads out in the blue where there is absolutely no information.
IMHO it is a dead sure sign to back off.
My best groups have been the ones a grain or 2 less than right before the reversal.
Have not seen it in a revolver probably because I rarely go top end in wheelgun.
Not sure I would use Elmer's top load but you can't go wrong using 2400.
I prefer it to any ball powder.
(I am currently reading Elmer's columns from the 70's in "Gun Notes Vol. 2")
I have had velocity reversals a couple of times developing .445 loads out in the blue where there is absolutely no information.
IMHO it is a dead sure sign to back off.
My best groups have been the ones a grain or 2 less than right before the reversal.
Have not seen it in a revolver probably because I rarely go top end in wheelgun.
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Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
I used 2400 back in the day with my model 57 .41 magnum with 6" barrel. It gave excellent results. I used a Lyman or RCBS mold, can't remember which. The target in my avatar shows some good results.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Yes, 2400 seems to do that, in my experience. With my supply of 2400, I reached that point at about 19 grains, but my powder is pretty old so that you reached it at 17.5 does not surprise. Incidentally, you and I both ended up in the mid-1300 range. In my case, I was using the H&G 220 gr Keith bullet (nr. 258, I think?) and a 6-inch late 70s Model 57.
