2400 powder - The Firearms Forum

mtnman05 · 02-03-2011, 10:35 AM

Trying to work up some loads for my 629 44 magnum with 2400 powder and a 180gr hornady xtp. In my hornady 4th edition reloading manual it states 22.1gr of 2400 as being a max load with a 180gr bullet, however on alliants website they dont list a 180gr load but they do list a 200 grain and it states max powder charge is 24gr of 2400 and a 200 grain speer gd as the max load. My hornady manual says 22.5gr is max with a 200gr bullet.
Question is, since I am reloading 180 grain bullets and alliant states 24gr is max for a 200gr then why couldnt I go over 22 grains with my 180s?? I have loaded 100 180 grain bullets with 22 grains of 2400 and there are no pressure signs. I did some with federal primers and they flattened some but the others I did with Winchester LP primers didnt flatten and the cases fall right out of the cylinder without using the ejector rod.

LDBennett · 02-03-2011, 02:38 PM

mtnman05:

The Hornady 6th Edition lists the 180 grain XTP 44 Mag in a Ruger Blackhawk using 2400 at a max load level of 26.6 grains for 1550 FPS. Your load of 22 grains yields 1300 FPS.

The Hornady 4th Edition lists the 180 grain XTP 44 Mag in a Ruger Blackhawk using 2400 at a max load level of 22.1 grains for 1500 FPS.

I notice that the 110 load levels vary a lot too whereas the other powders are pretty much the same.

One explanation may be that over time more loads have been tested using more modern and accurate pressure testing methods and updated in the latest edition. In general, when a new manual comes out you should buy it and rely on it rather than an older edition.

When there is a disconnect like this the latest manual is the one you want to use. In this case I might contact Hornady and see if they have an explanation for the huge 4 grain discrepancy or perhaps to tell you the 6th edition is wrong (???).

LDBennett

muddober · 02-03-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

mtnman05:

The Hornady 6th Edition lists the 180 grain XTP 44 Mag in a Ruger Blackhawk using 2400 at a max load level of 26.6 grains for 1550 FPS. Your load of 22 grains yields 1300 FPS.

The Hornady 4th Edition lists the 180 grain XTP 44 Mag in a Ruger Blackhawk using 2400 at a max load level of 22.1 grains for 1500 FPS.

I notice that the 110 load levels vary a lot too whereas the other powders are pretty much the same.

One explanation may be that over time more loads have been tested using more modern and accurate pressure testing methods and updated in the latest edition. In general, when a new manual comes out you should buy it and rely on it rather than an older edition.

When there is a disconnect like this the latest manual is the one you want to use. In this case I might contact Hornady and see if they have an explanation for the huge 4 grain discrepancy or perhaps to tell you the 6th edition is wrong (???).

LDBennett

I respectfully disagree. You should throw your Hornady manual in the trash can. I have never seen such gibberish in my life. While I agree pressure equipment has gotten better but accurate measuring of the speed of a bullet has been around a long time. One book showing a max load of 22.1 grains going 1500 and another showing 26.6 grains of the same powder, same bullet and same gun only going 1550 is the writings of an idiot.

I have had the same experience with Hornady on other pistol and rifle loads so I trashed my Hornady manuals. Another thing powders like 2400 being measured in tenths should also tell you something about the author of the manual. A half a grain of 2400 one way or the other is no biggie.

Ron

JLA · 02-03-2011, 07:58 PM

I agree with ron on this one. I use 2400 quite extensively in magnum revolver (.357 and .44) and cast rifle loads. I find the hornady book to be quite inaccurate as far as velocity is concerned. The only reason i keep it around is because I find the data listed within to be waaaaay on the conservative side and its my go to manual for scanning data for emailing to beginning handloaders, (namely my wifes cousin john)...

mtnman05 · 02-10-2011, 12:08 PM

Ok, I will order me a lyman 49th edition or something else. Just didn't make any sense if alliants website says you can go up to 24 grains with a 200gr and my manual was saying 22 with a 180 and usually the lighter bullet could stand using more powder.

02-03-2011, 10:35 AM	#1
mtnman05 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 41	2400 powder Trying to work up some loads for my 629 44 magnum with 2400 powder and a 180gr hornady xtp. In my hornady 4th edition reloading manual it states 22.1gr of 2400 as being a max load with a 180gr bullet, however on alliants website they dont list a 180gr load but they do list a 200 grain and it states max powder charge is 24gr of 2400 and a 200 grain speer gd as the max load. My hornady manual says 22.5gr is max with a 200gr bullet. Question is, since I am reloading 180 grain bullets and alliant states 24gr is max for a 200gr then why couldnt I go over 22 grains with my 180s?? I have loaded 100 180 grain bullets with 22 grains of 2400 and there are no pressure signs. I did some with federal primers and they flattened some but the others I did with Winchester LP primers didnt flatten and the cases fall right out of the cylinder without using the ejector rod. -->

02-03-2011, 02:38 PM	#2
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,751	Re: 2400 powder mtnman05: The Hornady 6th Edition lists the 180 grain XTP 44 Mag in a Ruger Blackhawk using 2400 at a max load level of 26.6 grains for 1550 FPS. Your load of 22 grains yields 1300 FPS. The Hornady 4th Edition lists the 180 grain XTP 44 Mag in a Ruger Blackhawk using 2400 at a max load level of 22.1 grains for 1500 FPS. I notice that the 110 load levels vary a lot too whereas the other powders are pretty much the same. One explanation may be that over time more loads have been tested using more modern and accurate pressure testing methods and updated in the latest edition. In general, when a new manual comes out you should buy it and rely on it rather than an older edition. When there is a disconnect like this the latest manual is the one you want to use. In this case I might contact Hornady and see if they have an explanation for the huge 4 grain discrepancy or perhaps to tell you the 6th edition is wrong (???). LDBennett

02-03-2011, 07:58 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,399	Re: 2400 powder I agree with ron on this one. I use 2400 quite extensively in magnum revolver (.357 and .44) and cast rifle loads. I find the hornady book to be quite inaccurate as far as velocity is concerned. The only reason i keep it around is because I find the data listed within to be waaaaay on the conservative side and its my go to manual for scanning data for emailing to beginning handloaders, (namely my wifes cousin john)... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-10-2011, 12:08 PM	#5
mtnman05 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 41	Re: 2400 powder Ok, I will order me a lyman 49th edition or something else. Just didn't make any sense if alliants website says you can go up to 24 grains with a 200gr and my manual was saying 22 with a 180 and usually the lighter bullet could stand using more powder.