Assist with lite target loads using Alliant 2400

[DWalt]

The best bet in your situation is to use 200 grain lead bullets with 6 to 7 grains of Bullseye, Red Dot, or 700-X. Essentially a Cowboy load. Or use any .44 Special-equivalent load. Do not use 2400.

 

[BruceM]

Similar request for data relative to a .357 mag casings using 158 grain (Keith style) SWC with the 2400 powder.

I think that you'll find that the maximum charge weight of 2400 below a 158 grain SWC will be 14.0 grains. Start 10% lower. Just for future reference, Keith's design for a .38 caliber SWC would be Lyman's #358429 or H&G #43. Both weigh 173 grains nominal, not 158 grains. All SWC designs are not Keith type bullets.

Bruce

 

[cowboy4evr]

BruceM , thank you for correcting the assumption that all swc's are a keith bullet . I have posted so many times the difference that quite frankly , I'm just tired of it . Many times you see someone post " Keith type " . It's either a " Keith " bullet or it isn't . There's no in between type .
I think the biggest misconception is in the 44 magnum. Some think that using any 240 gr bullet , cast or jacketed on top of 22 grs of 2400 is shooting " the Keith load " , which is " BS " . His load of 22 grs of 2400 was using " HIS " bullet , HG 503 - 245gr swc with it's short shank and long nose . The Lyman 429421 is also an acceptable version of Elmers design .

 

[yeti]

On recommendation, I recently purchased Alliant 2400 for reloading .44 mag casings using 240 grain (Keith style) SWC only to discover I could find little data for this bullet. Lyman Cast Bullet Manual, 4th Edition, stated a starting load of 18.5 grains, but it was too spicy for my arthritic hands to be any fun shooting paper. Hoping for suggestions to lighten this load for fun comfortable target practice without the worry of squibs.

Similar request for data relative to a .357 mag casings using 158 grain (Keith style) SWC with the 2400 powder.

Thanks folks!

Good morning,

I would hold onto that 2400 for true magnum loads. 2400 is awesome for those and for awhile has been scarce. Hopefully that has changed, but I digress.
For some pleasant and still accurate range loads here are some of the following that I like with coated or lubed 240LSWC...

* 240LSWC 8.0gr of Unique in 44mag case CCI300/FED150 1.610" should yield just at or slightly over 1000fps out of 6.5"+ bbl

* 240LSWC 7.0gr of 700X in 44mag case CCI300/FED150 1.610" 980fps avg 6.5" bbl

* 240LSWC 6.2gr of Red Dot or Promo in 44mag case CCI300/FED150 1.610" avg 882fps 6" bbl

 

[BruceM]

The Lyman 429421 is also an acceptable version of Elmers design .

The Ideal and earlier Lyman molds have a round grease groove and are not really true to Keith's design. Later production Lyman 429421 molds have the square grease groove. The round grease groove allows bullets to drop from the mold easier. The square grease groove carries more lubricant.

Bruce

 

[10mm_Shooter]

HP 38/231 and Green Dot are both great for lite .44 mag loads, one of my favorits is 7 gr of Green with a 250K K-SWC. Nice easy load. Roughly a .44 special load in a magnum case.

 

[andyo5]

I don't shoot 44 mag loads, but for the 357 load I'd suggest a switch to H110 and try around 14.5 grains with a magnum primer.

 

[Nemo288]

I don't shoot 44 mag loads, but for the 357 load I'd suggest a switch to H110 and try around 14.5 grains with a magnum primer.

The OP is looking for light target loads.
That is a full power magnum load with 158 or 170 grain bullets.
H110 is even less of a reduced load powder than 2400.
It has long been recommended by the manufacturer to never reduce H110/W296 loads by more than 10%.
IMR4227 would make a better lower velocity load (using slow powder) if one didn't mind the unburned residue.