Range Report; 44 Mag; 240 JSP; 2400

N

Nick_C_S

New member
Hi Folks, Took a trip to the range today and tested some 44 Magnum, Speer 240g JSP bullets, with Alliant 2400 under.

For some background: For decades, I used W296 for my Wide-Open-Throttle 240 grain rounds. I was shooting them through my "Dirty Harry" 629 with an 8-3/8" bbl. Put in a lot of range time shooting those bad boys at a charge level higher than current published books' max.

Fast forward 30 years and now my 8" 629 is a safe queen; I take less to high recoil; and my 44 Mag of choice is a 629 Classic with a 5" bbl - through which, I shoot 44 Specials about 90% of the time. Put all that together, and W296 just isn't the correct propellant for me anymore. I needed something just a tick faster, and more versatile than the notorious WOT-only W296. The ancient tried-n-true 2400 seemed to be the obvious choice. I have phased out W296 (still have loaded ammo) and won't get any more.

This past summer, I got some 2400 and started conducting 357 Mag work ups with it (same story with 357 Mag, btw: moved to shorter barreled guns; and the 8" bbl is a safe queen). It went well; and I have some potent 158's that are admirable performers. So it was time to move on to 44 Mag. Okay, let's get with it. Here's the nuts n bolts . . .

Bullet: Speer 240 grain JSP; Speer #4457
Primer: CCI 300
Brass: Mixed and old - mostly Win & FC
Crimp: Heavy roll
OAL: 1.600"
Gun: S&W Model 629 Classic; 5" barrel
Chronograph at 4 yards; clear skies, 50f, and breezy from right to left.
I warmed up the gun with 18 rounds of lead 44 Spl DEWC's; and "reconditioned" the barrel with 6 rounds of lead DEWC's between strings.
Book max: Speer = 21.0 grains; Hornady = 21.2 grains; Sierra = 21.3 grains.
All charge weights are in compliance with all three manuals.
All are 10-round samples.

19.5 grains: Low = 1199; High = 1278; Average = 1233; ES = 79; SD = 25.67.

19.8 grains: Low = 1210; High = 1283; Average = 1244; ES = 73; SD = 23.40.

20.1 grains: Low = 1205; High = 1292; Average = 1261; ES = 88; SD = 25.51.

Overall, I was pleased with the performance. I have no desire to continue working up. Recoil was manageable. I decided to split the difference and call 19.8 the set round. It also seemed to be the most "settled" with the lowest Standard Deviation. I know, it's just one 10-round sample. There will be further evaluation with a larger quantity. I will be looking for accuracy, consistency, and a clean burn.

After I'm completely satisfied, I will chrono a single batch with my 5" bbl, my 8-3/8" bbl, and my Marlin lever-action 20" bbl. That'll be a fun day and will report.
 
If you like 2400 but want to try other powders, then I highly recommend that you try AA-9. It uses approximately the same charge weights to achieve about the same velocity as 2400, but with less muzzle flash. It might also give you a lower extreme spread, depending on the primer. Standard primers are recommended, but I prefer magnum primers for AA-9.
 
When first getting into reloading, mostly for .357 and 44 magnum, the local shop recommended 2400.
To this day that's all I've ever used for those calibers.
Never found any reason to change.
So in my opinion, good choice there for sure.
 
I have tried many powders in 44mag and 357mag over the years.
I always come back to 2400 for 44mag and IMR4227 for 357 mag.
I found the IMR 4227 to be more consistent with tighter groups in 357 mag.
2400 performed better in 44mag.
 
Lots of good information. 2400 is without a doubt a tried and true powder. Maybe second only to Bullseye (very different animals, of course). 2400 seems to do pretty much exactly what I need. And that is something for magnum level loadings, but with a versatility window to turn up or down as I need.

As for AA#9: I have no doubt that it would deliver in the application. I have never used AA9, but have lots of experience with AA's 7, 5, & 2; not to mention the super-duper fast Nitro 100. So I know that Accurate Arms has good stuff.

But what I'm trying to do right now is reduce the number of powders I keep in my inventory. I'm afraid there's just no place for AA#9.
 
Yeah, I hear ya. AA-9 is the spherical equivalent of 2400. In the end, they do the exact same job. I have both. I quit buying pistol powders altogether some time ago. I have so many different ones now, I don't know if I will ever need more. Not that I've been hoarding; but when people want to give me powder, I haven't been able to turn away such generosity.:)
 
I've found that 20 grains of 2400 under a 240g JSP/JHP bullet gives snappy performance in my revolvers and is suitable for my rifles. While I've even used Unique for my pistols, I need the power of the 2400 to cycle my carbine.
 
Thats all thats ever been down the barrel of my 10.5" SBH, and it loves it! 240g XTP's, 19.7g of 2400.

I'm not a great shot, I will just get that out of the way to start.

But I took her to the range two weeks ago to make sure its still hitting POA at 100yrds and of course the old reliable Ruger was. I decided to play a little, loaded six in and took aim at the 200yrd 18" gong. To my amazement, and others at the range, I went six for six! With iron sights! I refuse to scope a handgun!

It was a good day :)

2400 is a awesome powder and I'm well stocked, I might not ever have to buy anymore.
 
It was a good day.
Click to expand...

Indeed.

I used to shoot silhouettes at 100 yards with my 8-3/8" 629 back in the day. I had about a 45% knock down ratio - maybe a touch better. I don't see as well and I shake a bit these days. I haven't even attempted such a shot any time recently.

I was pretty happy that not long after I decided to go with 2400 that some showed up at my LGS. It's a good propellant without a doubt. But I won't use much of it. It'll be only for full throttle 44 & 357; 240 & 158 grain respectively. I might dabble with 357/125 - maybe. At any rate, I put in very little range time shooting such big blasters. A pound of 2400 may well last a couple years. In fact, most of it is probably going to go through my Marlin.
 
nsmail.jpg


"Speer 3" 1959 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 6" 1964 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 7" 1966 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1564 fps
"Speer 8" 1970 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........23.0 gr. 2400 1521 fps
"Speer 9" 1974 44 mag 240 gr. JSP..........19.5 gr. 2400 1344 fps
"Speer 10" 1979 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 22.2 gr. 2400 1392 fps.
"Speer 11" 1987 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 22.2 gr. 2400 1452 fps
"Speer 12" 1994 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 17.7 gr. 2400 1271 fps
"Speer 13" 1998 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 21.0 gr. 2400 1434 fps
"Speer 14" 2007 44 mag 240 gr. JSP&MSP 21.0 gr. 2400 ???? fps


That is a load book with revisions varying 30% about a canister powder that is blended to a speed consistency of 1%.

Different load books are recipe books written by different people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top