.44 Mag Powder?

Madrod said:
I think the formulation of 2400 must have changed since the Elmer Keith days because the new Alliant manual max's out at 18.7 grs of 2400 for the 240 gr jsp but my 1960's Sierra manual STARTS at 19.5 grs and max's out at 23.3 grs 2400 for the 240 gr jsp.I have good managable groups with 18.5 grs of 2400 under the 240 gr XTP bullet and great groups with ten grs Unique under my 240 gr cast lead swc's gas cap bullets.
Click to expand...
I think you're right concerning the 'possible' change in 2400. In the 44 Mag, his load of 22grs of 2400 behind the Lyman #429421 shows signs of excessive preasure now that weren't evident 20 years ago. For me, 20grs seem to be the maximum in my model 29 today.
When I got my 500 S&W, as a powder for heavy loads I went with H110 and I think when my supply of 2400 runs out, I may go with H110 in the 44 Mag as well.:(
 
I am using the old Hercules 2400, from a metal, 5# barrel. 22 grains with the #429421 bullet is a pretty hefty load. I have had four, 44 mag revolvers, 2 Smith and 2 Ruger, and I didn't like shooting 22 grains in some of them, forget which one(s) now, but likely the 6" barreled 29 I had. When I measured new brass after one firing, the size over the web was .460 with 22 of 2400, which is quite a stretch.
I was much more comfortable with 25 grains of H110, than I was with 22 of 2400. With revolvers, the largest variant in velocity is in the gap of the cylinder to the cone, regardless who made the gun.
Have just looked up my old records and 22 of 2400 in 7½" Ruger single action, went five shots average, 1415 fps ans 68 spread. 20 grains of 2400 did 1312 and 41 spread. 17.5 grains of 2400 gave 1120 and 45 spread. I went down to 13 of 2400, but it got erratic. About 17 was as low as you could go and still get accuracy.
24.5 grains of 296 with gas check bullet, same weight and design, gave 1385 fps and spread of 80.
8.2 of W231 gave average of 1018 and spread of only 17.
 
Agreed Bruce. In most cases, the major factor for loss of velocity in a revolver is the cylinder gap. As I recall, the cylinder gap on my Ruger Super Blackhawk and on the old Ruger 'Flattop' I still have was tighter than that of any of my Smiths. From another angle though, the biggest problem I had from a preasure standpoint was in a Ruger Super Blackhawk, and that was with the old 2400. Long story short, where that problem originated was the outlet/business end of that cylinder was actually about 0.0005" tighter than the bore diameter and I was sizing cast bullets to 0.001" over bore diameter. Getting the cylinder 'tiddled' cured the preasure problem.
 
Just to add a bit more here. When I was shooting silhouette, I settled for 20 grains of 2400. On my above post you will note there was 100 fps difference in muzzle velocity between 20 and 22 grains of 2400 powder. However, at 200 metres it would be something in the order of maybe 30 fps difference. I discovered I could use the same sighting, same number of clicks of elevation, at 200 metres, for either charge of powder. The 20 grain load was nicer to shoot and at least as accurate, as the full power load.
 
I been using 15.4grains of blue dot with 240grain FMJ bullet in my S&W 629 6.5 inch barrel, for almost 14 years now. Getting 5 inch groupings at 25 yards all the time. Very happy with the powder/bullet combo so far.
 
I think you'll be happy.
I tried a lot of different powders when my wife got her first 44 Mag a few years ago. H110, 4227, and 2400 are clearly the best in her rifle, for hunting power loads at any rate. I settled on H110, because it was the most accurate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom