Conflicting .357 load data for 2400

[Jack71]

I've been reloading for 45 years, but recently inherited my father's reloading equipment. Among the items is a 1987 Speer Reloading Manual #11.

This manual lists .357 Magnum loads with a 158g jacketed bullet with a range of 13.9 to 15.9 grains of 2400. My Speer Manual #12 (published 1994) shows the 2400 powder range for the same bullet between 11.2 to 12.5 grains.

That's a big difference - if I use the 1987 data, the starting load (13.9) exceeds the maximum load (12.5) in the 1994 book. I'm a careful reloader and get nervous exceeding any published maximum load, but 12.5g of 2400 behind a 158g seems to be a pretty mild .357 load.

I would appreciate comments from you who have experience with 2400 in the .357 Magnum.

 

[arjay]

I would use the newer data just to stay on the safe side

 

[Rule3]

How about Alliant online which lists a max of 14.8 gr with a 158 GDHP?

Different tests, different equipment, different time.

With a slow powder like 2400 the higher amount is not that big an issue.

Anything above say 14.0 grains is just overkill IMHO, what is the need for it??

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

 

[cowboy4evr]

Like Rule 3 says , just go by the current load data from the powder company . You know that info should be safe .

 

[WR Moore]

At least one of the Speer manuals contains data that is suspect. Remember, the loads were considered safe IN THE TEST FIREARM/DEVICE USING THE TEST METHODS OF THE TIME.

And, the companies very occasionally goof. Somewhere in the house is an old Alliant data sheet printed when the 125 gr .357 bullets came out. That data was the same as .44 Magnum! Alliant recalled the sheet almost before the ink was dry.

The new piezo electric pressure measuring system is much more sensitive to pressure peaks than the old copper crusher system, thus the new data is better/safer.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

The earlier publication was likely based on the older SAAMI CUP specs while the newer one is on the SAAMI PSI specs.

The old 357 Mag pressure specs were 45K CUP.

The newer 357 Mag specs are 35K PSI.

You could currently use either & technically not be wrong in any modern firearm of good quality. Use the newer specs if you want less wear & tear on your revolver.

Alliant's current on-line reloading data is the same as Speer's current reloading manual's since they're under the same ownership umbrella, ATK.

.

 

[lebomm]

I used 15.0 2400 with a 160 GCSWC in a Rossi Puma carbine for several years without issue. This load was also accurate and trouble-free in my Model 13, but left unburned in chambers and bore. Reducing to 13.5gr eliminated the unburned with no loss of accuracy, also performing well in the carbine and a 6 1/2" NMBH. The 13.5 load also performed well with the 158 JSP and JHP. Small Rifle std. primers with 15.0, Small Pistol std in 13.5, carbine and revolver. Excellent results all around IMHO.

Larry

 

[alwslate]

Older manuals often came with a note regarding 2400 in the 357 mag
that the top charges listed were for heavy frame revolvers only. Fast
forward to today with our troubled times and the notion that people are
not personally responsible for their dumb decisions, along with J frame
357s and different methods of reading pressure and you end up with
confusion. To simplify, if you are loading for an N frame or even an L
frame you can use published data from any manual in safety.

 

[scooter123]

Since I first purchased my copy of the Hornady 9th edition load manual I have found that to be a superb source for my most accurate loads. Since I really prefer accuracy over velocity I tend to go with the Hornady data. In your case Hornady lists a minimum of 9.3 grains and maximum of 13.8 grains of 2400 with a 158 grain Hornady XTP in their data for 357 Magnum RIFLE. While you may not want to use Hornady's data specifically it rather well indicates you should use the later edition Speer Data rather than the earlier data.

 

[Nevada Ed]

One has to remember the earlier data was intended for the
Large frame "N" model.

As S&W designed other 357 models, they had to adjust pressures that
would work in the lighter "K" frame 357 revolver and keep shooters safe.

Though not 45,00CUP, todays 35,000 PSI loads are still very healthy.
Use the lighter data and have fun.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I own a few .357Mag and developped my load(166gr cast swc+gc)for the weakest(not always the smallest btw).Yes,I could go higher but I'm sure I won't accidentally harm a perfectly good gun.Play it safe and enjoy our sport!
Qc

 

[992B]

I have used 14.0 of 2400 with a 158gr jacketed or gas check bullet in a 357 case for use in K frame or N frame for over 40 years. Don't have a J frame and might not use that load in the smaller frame guns. Gary

 

[tops]

It's not just 2400 that has different loads in different manuals. Pick any powder and check 2 or 3 different manuals and you will get 2 or 3 different loads.
I'm one of those old people that ain't got no learning, don't know much and don't get too town too often and have been using 15 grs. of 2400 and a 158 gr. bullet since 1965. I still ain't blowed up a gun. Larry

 

[rockquarry]

Pressure figures in contemporary published manuals are likely more accurate than they were years ago.

 

[4barrel]

I did the 15.9 of 2400 years ago with a 158 jacketed bullet in my Marlin. It is very accurate but I am not going to use that much 2400 in a pistol. I smoked a couple of primers & changed to a magnum rifle primer to solve that. The starting loads in a wheel gun seem to be the most accurate for me. 2400 is my favorite mag pistol powder followed by 4227 which I am fond of lately. I thought it was a little dirty at first then found out it was a filler.

 

[johngalt]

I use 14.0 gr 2400 + 160 gr LSWC. This is below max, but is plenty hot enough for me.

 

[ggibson511960]

Why Load That Hot?

When I was much younger I used to stuff 15 gr of 2400 under 158 gr JHSP's and blaze away with my 4 in. 28-2. A cylinder full would cluster in an irregular group at 25 yds with most holes touching. My Python wouldn't do that well. My only worry was the flattened, cratered, and occasionally pierced primers. Perhaps my bore was marginally tighter? I don't launch these rhino-rollers any more. The blast and flame are too much for old ears, eyes, wrists and palms, especially if only punching paper.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Talking about Alliant 2400 powder , I want to share with you my findings . Several people that post here and even a few gun mag writers claim that 2400 has a " faster " burn rate than when developed in 1933 . I just didn't believe that so I contacted the powder company . This is the answer I received .
NO , not to my knowledge , was the answer . He went on to explain that the powder industry is tightly controlled with a very narrow allowable margin when making a new batch of powder . If they change the burn rate they would now have to call it 2300 or 2500 . Reformulation doesn't mean changing the burn rate , just means they wanted to make it burn cleaner. I felt my phone call was time well spent . Believe what you want , but that was the results of my investigation into the matter .

 

[Jaymo]

Perhaps they've lowered the loads for 2400 because of the diminishing returns of using extra powder that doesn't get burned?

Vihtavuori has lowered their max loads of N110 for .357 and .44 mag.
I shot a LOT of max N110/180 grain XTP loads in .44 mag.
It would motivate that bullet to over 1800 fps in my 7.5" Redhawk.
It was loud and hit hard, but was not a bad kicker in that beast of a gun.
Funny thing, the edition that came out after mine, actually went UP on the max charge.
Don't know how you would load it, since my load was a compressed load.

Never damaged it or the Taurus Model 44 that I ran them through.
Not so sure I'd load them that hot anymore. N110 isn't exactly an affordable powder. It's probably a good bit of waste.
Except in my Marlin .44 carbine. It probably burns all of it in that one.

Still, I gravitate more toward the 240 grain bullet in the .44.

 

[Nightowl]

I had not loaded .357 Magnums for a good many years, but got the urge this year. When I went looking for load data, I found that 2400 load information was all over the map. Not even Alliant had load data for a 158 grain lead swc bullet! In fact, when I looked, there was a woeful lack of data both for the .357 and .44 Mag with lead bullets. I ended up beginning with 13 grains with a 158 lead bullet and it worked pretty well and feel comfortable with going to 13.5 if I want a little more smack.

I found a lot more data for BE85, which does not do anything I want to do, than I did with 2400. Sorry, not a fan!

ALSO, beware.....Hornaday cases are shorter than other brands of brass. I would not use load data from any source in Hornaday brass unless it came from Hornaday in their brass.

In fact, I just throw the Hornaday brass away, rather than get it mixed up with other brass of standard length.