Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Doh!!! Reloading screwup.

Hey All -

I just loaded 20 rounds of 44 mag with 22 grains of 2400 under 250 grain 429421 cast bullets, CCI Mag primers. This is Elmer Keith's old load, but then, looking at the latest Lyman handbook I see that the max load is 20.6 grains of 2400 under the same bullet. Maybe I ought to reconsider the order in which I perform those actions.

So anyway, now I'm nervous about dropping the hammer on these. Should I be? Anyone else use this load with relatively new batches of 2400 and live to tell the tale?

Thanks,

tq

depends on which handcannon you are using, I regularly go higher than my Nosler book says. I am using a Super Redhawk. les

Some guns can digest that load with no problem , others will bind the cylinder , or at least stick the empties in the chambers.
Might want to either pull those loads and start over, or load some starting low and working up to see if your gun will take that load with no problems.

That is what I would suggest, unless it is a Vaquero or one of the Colt SAA clones, it probably will not take it.

As an aside, I know a a SBH that went back to the factory after a load of 22 grains of Unique. (Oops, I thought Elmer used Unique, not 2400. --He did, but the Unique was about an 11 grain charge).

The gun was trashed, but somehow the shooter was unscathed,

Gotta be careful out there, your mama only issued you one set of original body parts.

BMT

Please pull them. 20 pulled bullets is a lot less expensive than the other possibilities.

Good points all. Thanks for the words of wisdom, I guess I'll see how easily lead bullets pull out of a heavily crimped case...

:-)

tq

That is fun, let me tell you, it is even more fun when you use cast bullets.

The 22 grains of 2400 was Keith's load, but Keith used standard primers . This is the load (with standard primers) I shoot in my S&W 629. I've shot a lot of this load over the past 20 years and have had no issues. The brass drops free and no apparent signs of excess pressure. However, I am using my own cast 250 gr Keith style SWC HARD cast lead bullets. It chronographs at an average of 1405 fps from the 6 1/2" barrel with very little leading.

HOWEVER, like has been said - to go over current manuals is a risk. If you're not using a Ruger Redhawk, you're wise to pull them.

BEFORE THE FLAMING BEGINS ----- I'm not advocating anyone should be loading beyond current manuals!!! I normally do not. However, I've personally found that Keith's old load shoots with extremely good accuracy and velocity out of my Smith.

Note on the Current manuals, My Speer Number 11 manual give a maximum Charge of 37 Grains of H110 for a 260 Gr HP in 454 casull, Go to the Nosler 5th Edition, it give a Max of 32 Gr of H110 for the same bullet. Hmmmmmm. Les

That load is 0.2 gr. under max. with a CCI 350 Mag, primer and 240 gr. bullet according to my old Speer Number 10 Manual.

Also, we've had a lot of discussion lately about 2400 and I believe the current mix is considered "HOTTER" than back in the early '80's.

I wouldn't admit to being real familiar with pulling bullets but I'd likely do it on those you have.

Save the ones that you've loaded until you load and fire some lighter loads---you may be able to use them.

m

I'd say pull them.

The 2400 of today *is* hotter than the past. I know becasue I've felt the difference.

My max load that I've been shooting is 20.5gr 2400 behind a 240gr JHP (Standard LP primers). Had some loads with old 2400 that was 21gr behind the same bullet and they were't even as nasty as the 20.5gr loads that I have now.

I'm thinking of cutting back more, though I've had no pressure indications. Primers look good and brass falls free easily. And that's out of my scoped, 7.5" Super Blackhawk.

Aqualung

i will have to agree with ought6 about if your not using a ruger. it is better to slowly increase from the maximum load if you so choose to.

most guns now a days wont handel the loadings of years ago and you will increase the wear on the pistol and yourself by exceeding the max loads. i shoot alot of unique at 8.5 grains with a lance lead bullett for practice