2400 powder, 220gr Rim Rocks & 180/200gr FMJ

[jazzsax8]

Reading the results of Trapper6L and 2400 powder it has renewed my interest in testing this powder.  On most burn rate charts that I know does not allow for you to interpolate loading, 2400 is slightly faster than our beloved AA#9.  There are some powders we have taken beyond max book loads carefully watching the pressure signs which I have done as well.  Has anyone tested 2400 beyond the book 12.8gr and a 180gr jacketed bullet or 11.2gr 200gr jacketed?  It might be a bulkier powder compared to AA#9 that seems to handle more weight in the case by comparison.  I also noticed they did not have a recommendation for 2400 using Lead bullets.  All of my load testing up until now has been mostly with X-Treme plated and I am moving to an enormous supply of 180/200gr Jacketed.  I plan to use a KKM 6" in my G20SF now that I am no longer messing around with different barrel combinations.  I am only through with page 1 of 6 using 2400 in a search where on one post they went up to 12.2 grs 2400 behind a 200gr bullet with a case head at .434 so this could be a target for my 200gr bullets getting 1130fps not too far behind his 13.5gr AA#9 at 1159fps and this was in a stock G20SF.  I have no AA#9 but a bunch of 2400.  Accuracy testing will of course tell the tale.

After searching the archives further I found a great post by McNett that is just what I was looking for!  Lots of info for the 6"KKM with both jacketed/lead and 180/220gr bullets.  But if anyone has something to add it would be great.

Looking over my notes I also have a renewed interest in testing my 220gr Rim Rocks (15 BIN) that weigh an actual 225grs.  I was using Winchester once fired brass back when and now have a supply of Star Line.  Was getting a few smiles with 8.0 Longshot 1186fps and 8.2gr 800X 1172fps both with 5 shot groups at 25 yards 1 1/4-1 1/2" in a 6" LoneWolf barrel.  I plan to work up to these levels using the Starline brass and KKM 6" that might handle these loads without smiling.  Does anyone here have experience with this bullet?  While heavy it does not have the super-wide meplat up front but will probably penetrate over 5' if you don't hit a bone!

[cwlongshot]

I'm using a 220HP it's a long bullet and choose BlueBot. I have past 1200 FPS in a 6" KKM and zero issues.

Even my 29 almost hits 1100 with a factory bbl.

I do buy these bullets as cast and powder coat them.

CW

[jazzsax8]

thanks cw for the input.  I ran out of BlueDot years ago but have Longshot and 800X to work with.  I also just found the old Underwood 220 loading (reduced) from 2014 where they were using 8.0gr Longshot at 1200fps.  I am pretty sure I have the same exact bullet except mine weights 225gr and theirs were 216.4.  My own experience got up to 8.0grs with a few light smiles using the LW 6" barrel and Win brass.  Starting over I will go with 7.5gr Longshot and creep up slowly using new Starline brass and the KKM 6".  If the case expansion gets to .434 I will back down .2 gr and call it good to go.  Hand-weighing charges of course.

Just thought of another question.  It might be that the stock Glock barrel gets to be max around .434.  The KKM value might be way less than that with the tighter chamber?

[Muskrat]

I've loaded a few thousand of the RR 220 grain bullets. Mine all weigh in at 226 grains.

I never got any bulging with a KKM barrel and 24lb spring, but I did get some gas cutting around the primers. Of all the powders I tried (Blue Dot, Longshot, 800x, HS-6, AA9) Longshot seemed the best, but I learned to stop at about 1,100 fps from a 6" barrel if using anything but new brass, and then that brass goes in the dumpster. I don't doubt that it can be loaded hotter, but I don't see a lot of point to doing so as it seems to really stress the primer pockets. If another 100 fps is the deal breaker, I brought the wrong gun. And if I want Underwood velocity, I just buy Underwood ammo.

My favorite use for the 220's is actually reduced loads, not hot loads. Back them down to 800 fps and they're a real fun plinker, while still beating the penetration of full-house .45acp. Back them way down to 725 fps and recoil all but disappears, and it still makes major power factor for USPSA.

I kinda got away from loading them since finding Blue Bullets, which aren't a good large animal bullet, but are a whole lot cleaner to plink with.

[jazzsax8]

Muskrat that is great input.  Did you get that 1100fps with about 7-7.5grs of Longshot?  I want this for my woods load since I just sold my 629 4" barreled revolver.  I just checked my bullets and they are sized .403 so they would work in the stock barrel as well with a lighter taper crimp then a heavier taper crimp for the 6" KKM with a .400 bore.

[Muskrat]

7.4 grains of Longshot should get you 1100 fps, +/-

That's absolutely as hot as I'll go without using new brass and then discarding it afterwards.

[Muskrat]

After moving away from them for a while, I loaded up some more Rim Rock 220 grain hardcast. As previously mentioned, all my bullets actually weigh 226 grains. Since the pull-downs with Underwood 220 grain bullets actually show 216 grain bullets, it's pretty important not to try and duplicate Underwood loads without weighing your bullets first... Put 8+ grains of Longshot under a 226 grain bullet and you'll be lucky if all you need is a new gun.

New Starline brass, WLP primer hand set, 1.27 COL, all loads hand weighed.
Glock 20 with a 6" KKM barrel and 24lb recoil spring.

7.6 grains Longshot = 1207 fps, plus one blown primer and gas cutting on the other four. Obviously too warm. All brass went in the garbage.

7.4 grains Longshot = 1184 fps, with decent primers. But even with a 24lb recoil spring it's just a little too hot. Any limp-wristing and there are instant failure to feed's, and rapid fire is all but impossible. Pretty accurate, though...could be a good hunting load, but the reduced reliability makes it a poor woods defense load. Brass gets discarded.

7.1 grains Longshot = 1086 fps, VERY accurate, and they function even with a weak-handed grip. Brass goes into the range-load bucket for reloading.

THIS is my woods load. I'll happily give up 100 fps for reliability, accuracy, and the ability to shoot more than once at a target without recoil putting my bullets into the trees instead of the charging moose or locomotive or whatever else needs stopping.

From the Banshee the 7.1 grain load gave 1140 fps, with minor bulging on the brass, and I could cover a five-shot, 30 meter group with a quarter! Really happy with the accuracy of this load.

[jazzsax8]

Muskrat

Great info that makes me suspect about the 7.5gr loads of Longshot I have ready to test especially since I went with a 1.255 COL.  Since it has a smaller meplat chambering reliability should not be a factor.  I will do some 7.1gr loads as well as you have figured out what works best with this bullet for reliability and mine also weigh in at 225grs.  I am using a 22# captured spring that are usually overrated.  Proceeding with caution by loading a few 7.1-7.4gr loads before shooting or pulling the 7.5's especially since I am using a new to me KKM barrel.  My previous 8.0 test loads (too hot) were in a LW barrel that might be completely different.

[ss30378]

Marshall,

Here's some 2400 data I just ran with my 220g Ackerman bullets.

New sig brass, cci350s all loaded to 1.260"

Stock g40 6" barrel, custom double recoil spring setup.

9.5g: 1100fps/591lbs, .4305 casehead
10g: 1162fps/659lbs, .431 casehead
10.5g: 1225fps/733lbs, .4325 casehead
11g: 1261fps/777lbs, .434 casehead

Hope that helps!

[cwlongshot]

I have longshot,  I'll have to try it. But have been very happy with accuracy and preformance of my Blue Dot loads to date.

Thanks guys!

CW