Trouble with light charges of 2400

[BBerguson]

Tried 15 grs of 2400 in 308 with 130gr and same in 450 bm with a 230 gr bullet. 10 shots each caliber. Had hang fires in all but two shots with the 450 but even those two I heard the firing pin hit. A couple of the 308 shots I had to check the barrel. Had two like that in the 450 but I could see the bullet on the way to target. Chronograph had it at 530 fps. The others were in the 1050 range.

I think I’ll try some Blue Dot again in the 450, 308 I may try some win 231. I’m trying to find something I really like before the end of the month. Local, well stocked gun shop is closing up for good then and I want to stock up some powder.

I just loaded some 223 with 4227 and IMR 4198 and will shoot them wednesday afternoon if all goes well…

 

[CZ93X62]

Interesting anomaly with the 2400. I have fired a couple thousand loads using 16.0 grains of 2400 in 7.62 x 54R, 30-06, and 8 x 57. No evidence of hangfires has ever reared up, but most of this shooting gets done after elevating the muzzle before firing. CCI #200 and WLR primers in all cases.

 

[RicinYakima]

That is really strange! 15.5 grains in my 308 with 190 grain bullet is 1450 f/s.

 

[462]

Never experienced 2400 being a problem, even with a charge as low as 13.0-grains in the .45-70. Sixteen-grains is the accuracy load with two or three .30-'06 bullet designs, and the 7.65X53 Argentine likes the same load. No muzzle elevation.

 

[L Ross]

Somethin' aint right. I've shot oodles of .308 loaded with 16.0. and 16.5 grains of Hercules 2400 under the Lee 312-155-2R fired in a M-700 with a 26" bbl. Chrono data 16.0 grains average velocity 1,705 fps. 16.5 grains Hercules 2400 ave. velocity 1,761 fps. The addition of thew half a grain tightened up the spread real nice. I just can't imagine squibs and hangfires with 15.0 grains of 2400. Could the less resistance of 130 bullet make that much difference?

 

[Brad]

Something is wrong.

I have used many pounds of 2400 I rifle cartridges and never had a hang fire.

 

[Ben]

What kind of neck tension do you have ?
What was the diameter of your bullets ?
Did you weigh these charges , then throw them in the case ?
Or, were the charges thrown with a powder measure ?
Do you have any of the ammo left such that you could pull
the bullets and weigh several charges ?
Something definitely is wrong.... ! !

 

[JonB]

another question, did you have lots of unburnt powder kernels in the barrel, (or action if Semi-auto)?

I ask, because I am wondering of your 2400 powder is contaminated or deteriorated.

 

[fiver]

light charge light bullet = problem every time.
put the 2400 in the 223 and the 4198 in the 308.

 

[Tomme boy]

Yep, not enough weight to get the 2400 to burn right. Be very careful with the blue dot. It is the only powder I ever ringed a chamber with.

 

[CZ93X62]

Blue Dot does weird stuff, and always has. When it was new in the mid-1970s, the late Bob Milek reported that it had random pressure excursions in uber-cold temperatures when loaded in 357 Magnum. More recently, Alliant DQ'ed Blue Dot for use in 41 Magnum entirely, without giving a reason for doing so after years of authorization. Moral of the story might be that a powder designed to run well in the 10K-15K PSI realm in smoothbore shotguns might get moody and sketchy AF when run in rifled barrels at twice the pressure but half the diameter of its design parameters. Just a thought.

 

[Bret4207]

Agree with the thoughts on light bullets and questions on neck tension. 2400 shows a need for some pressure to build to get a good burn going way back in time.

 

[Fiddler]

Primers? I've picked many older lots of primers over the years and have found maybe 1 or 2 trays of ~1945 Win. that will hang with smokeless. Works OK for plinkers with full case of Black.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I love Blue dot, but a
Understand and respect its not for all. I worked up a load in the 350 Legend. Was doing well with light mod charges a d 1400 ish fps lead loadings. I dont have it in front of me but should have been FINE for multiple grains more... IIRC 1.5 more blew primers out and egged pockets!!!!!!!!

I do worry a bit in my 357 as favorite loads are just at/ above book max and are fine my guns in 80/75 down to 40's for testing. But temps can be 20's in use....

To date zero issues with 2400 15-18g in various calibers. 30/30,7.65,308,30/06,358, 35 Whelen...

CW

 

[CZ93X62]

CW--

Milek's temp anomalies occurred in -30* to -35* ranges, not in more normal Fall hunting conditions. I should have been more clear when I posted above. Sorry about that.

I use Blue Dot in 10mm loads quite a bit. No weirdness over many years of usage. I do treat it like H-110/WW-296, though--90% load density or better, otherwise I rule it out. I have fired it in temps between 10* F and 115* F, it behaved itself.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Ok you are correct I did not see that.

Same here 10mm but I dont ever remember serious cold temps and most always heavy/stiff loads. Otherwise Id use a different powders.

 

[CZ93X62]

Time to swerve this thread back on course. Don't forget to account for magnetic declination, esp. on the west coast.

Alliant 2400 is the most useful powder I have. 410 shotshells, cast bullet rifle loads from 22 Hornet to 9.3 x 62, and all of the magnum revolvers. Light-for-caliber is outside my experience with 2400, but it has run well-fit bullets in my rifles VERY well. I am biased toward heavy-for-caliber bullets in my sideiron and rifles anyway, that might play a role in my experiences with 2400. I will NOT be without 2400--The End.

 

[fiver]

not only will I not be without 2400, I can assure you I will never run out of the stuff either.

but it does have a minimum pressure window you need to stay above [what doesn't?] to be efficient [which means consistent]
I see a lot of guy's trying to run their shotguns at low pressure thinking they are getting away with recoil or [shrug] something else.
all they are doing is causing themselves lost birds and dirty guns they gotta clean more often.

 

[Tomme boy]

If you want to try something load the cartridge then tip the gun straight up to settle the powder against the head. Slowly lower the gun and fire. 2400 is extremely position sensitive at low charges. Use some dacron or up the charge.

 

[Tomme boy]

Steel powder was made to compensate for bluedot cold weather bloopers. It ignites easy but burns like charcoal. Very dirty.