Advice on loads for XTP and .41 Mag.

[S.B.]

I Would like to load some .41 mags with Hornady XTP 210s and 2400 powder for whitetaiil deer. Any advice would be appreciated. How much of this powder have you guys and or gals been using?

[PaulS]

I Would like to load some .41 mags with Hornady XTP 210s and 2400 powder for whitetaiil deer. Any advice would be appreciated. How much of this powder have you guys and or gals been using?

The Hornady manual lists 14.4 to 17.6 grains of 2400 for the 210 grain XTP.
For white-tail deer to 75 yards you can use any load in that range that is accurate in your gun. If you want to stretch the distance out then you will need closer to the maximum charge. My advice is to load some up and find the most accurate load for your gun. Then you can know how far you can use that round to shoot deer.
Velocity means nothing without the accuracy to hit what you aim at.

[Mikey]

My Lyman manual list 15-19 grains of 2400 powder under the 210 gn jacketed bullet for 955 - 1272'/sec.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Gregory]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Pistols%20and%20Revolvers&gtypeid=1&weight=210&shellid=1024&bulletid=78

[ftw]

I have always used 17.0 of 2400 in my three .41 Mags with the 210 XTPs. (Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8, Redhawk 7 1/2 and T/C Contender 10"). I have taken several whitetails with each at ranges from 20 to 60 yards. I wait for the right shot and all the deer have gone right down or fallen in sight so I am very happy with this load.

It is a little stout but it gets the job done.

Good luck!

[RJM]

Unless you are stuck with a lot of 2400 you will get 50-150 fps more out of H110/WW296. 21-24 grains is max depending on what gun you are shooting. Use a real good crimp like the one you can get with the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

My guns are doing 1300-1450 with a 210 and 23 grains of H110 depending on what barrel length. I have used 24 grains but my 10" TC didn't like it so I standardized on 23 grains.

Bob

[S.B.]

I'd get 50-150 fps more velocity if I was shooting a 10" barrel instead of a 4" barrel?

[RJM]

I'd get 50-150 fps more velocity if I was shooting a 10" barrel instead of a 4" barrel?

What I am saying is that compared to 2400 you will get 50-150 fps more velocity with H110/WW296 over your top load with the same bullet using 2400...especially if you are using a S&W.

Bob

[S.B.]

RJM. Are you chronographing your loads? Or, are you working from a load manuals
printed material? I haven't seen this happen with any of my .44 magnum guns but, I use a chronograph. Still, every gun is different.

[RJM]

I had an Ohler 33 and now have a Competition Electronics chronograph. 

In 30+ years of loading the .41 Magnum I have tried WW231, Unique, SR4756, 2400, Blue Dot, IMR4227 and H110. H110 gives the highest velocities with the lowest pressure signs using the same bullet for each powder. In the S&W guns all powders except for H110 will start expanding cases just ahead of the rim to the point of difficult extraction except for H110. In longer barrels, especially carbines, H110 will will clock 100+ fps over other loads that start off at the same velocity.

Federal 210 factory rounds from a 6" M57 clocked 1350 fps the same as a load of 23 grains of H110. From a 20" carbine the Federal clocks 1705 and the H110 load 1850.

I have not used 2400 in many years as in the application I was using it in 2400 just left a lot of unburned powder. It is quite possible I was not using enough and was getting unburned powder as a result. I have some and will see what the top end loads are and if the sticking occurs with this powder also.

Bob

[RJM]

I had an Ohler 33 and now have a Competition Electronics chronograph.  

In 30+ years of loading the .41 Magnum I have tried WW231, Unique, SR4756, 2400, Blue Dot, IMR4227 and H110. H110 gives the highest velocities with the lowest pressure signs using the same bullet for each powder. In the S&W guns all powders except for H110 will start expanding cases just ahead of the rim to the point of difficult extraction except for H110. In longer barrels, especially carbines, H110 will will clock 100+ fps over other loads that start off at the same velocity.

Federal 210 factory rounds from a 6" M57 clocked 1350 fps the same as a load of 23 grains of H110. From a 20" carbine the Federal clocks 1705 and the H110 load 1850.

I have not used 2400 in many years as in the application I was using it in 2400 just left a lot of unburned powder. It is quite possible I was not using enough and was getting unburned powder as a result. I have some and will see what the top end loads are and if the sticking occurs with this powder also.

Bob

[warrior1]

you might want to look at hog's lil gun.

[Questor]

I like 2400 as a good, versatile powder, but prefer Win 296 for full power magnum loads. They're what it was designed for.

[Larry Gibson]

RJM. Are you chronographing your loads? Or, are you working from a load manuals
printed material? I haven't seen this happen with any of my .44 magnum guns but, I use a chronograph. Still, every gun is different.

RJM is BSing you, I've been chronographing .44 and .41 loads (plus a lot ofothers) since '75.  In both cartridges H110 will always give a higher velocity at a safe pressure with the same bullet than 2400.  Now don't misunderstand me, I use a lot of 2400 and H110.  As RJM says in S&Ws you will pressure out becuase of extraction difficulties long before you will in a Ruger BH.  I have been shooting .41s since '75 also. I started out shooting a 4" M57 and a 6" M57.  I then had a M58 and even had a M28 4" converted to .41.  With 210 gr bullets the S&Ws maxed out around 17.5 gr of 2400 and 19.5 - 20.5 with H110.  With my current .41 a BBH I use 23.5 gr H110 with a 210 XTP or Rem SP and the fired cases practicly fall out of the chambers. Point being RJM is correct; you will get more velocity out of your 4" .41 using H110. You will also get more out of either powder if you are using a Ruger but since you specify "4" inch barrel the assumption is you have a S&W.  In that case 19.5 to 20.5 gr of H110 will give you better performance over 17 - 17.5 gr of 2400 with the 210 gr bullet.

Larry Gibson

[S.B.]

If speed was the only component of the accuracy forumula, I would switch powders. Although, I may be a bit ancient in my reloading techniques, I like the 2400 powder and will continue to use it in my guns. Several times, diuring the last 40 years, I've considered changing powders, in my magnum pistol loads but, have come to the conclusion: "Nothing succeeds like success".  I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, here. I don't need another 100-150 fps. Neither am I dissatisfied with the accuracy I'm getting with 2400. I'm sorry if I anger you by disagreeing with you but, this is America and I feel I have the right to personal opinions. All I need to acomplish is too take deer, at woods distances, around here. My opinion of success at my age is, being in the woods for a day, killing a deer every time out there isn't how I judge  a good day. Neither is getting the first or biggest deer but, would be a plus. I know guys who hunt nothing but bucks and the antlers (boiled, roasted, or stewed) never taste as good as a 125 lbs. doe? Good luck with your hunting and may God keep you safe.

[Larry Gibson]

S.B.

I don't think anyone was "angered" by your position or suggested use of 2400, many of us use 2400 in various loads also.  I prefer it in the .44 for the classic "Keith" load.  In this case others entered in with other suggestions/alternatives and gave pretty good reasons for them. After all a 'forum" is a discussion. Part of the misunderstanding is you started the tread with a question. A lot of times we don't get the answers we want. From the last post it sounds like you were making a statement. I was confused and offer my apology. However, as you say nothing beats success like success and I found 17.5 gr 2400 to be a good load in the .41 with 210 gr cast.  Your opinions are well founded. Thanks for the input.

Larry Gibson

[S.B.]

I have not used 2400 in many years as in the application I was using it in 2400 just left a lot of unburned powder. It is quite possible I was not using enough and was getting unburned powder as a result. I have some and will see what the top end loads are and if the sticking occurs with this powder also.

Bob

I contacted Alliant on the unburnt powder issue, my question:
2400 in magnum handgun loads?


The question of unburnt powder came up again on one of the forums, I am a member of. Have you determined that, that is exactly what the residue is, that is left in the barrel, after using 2400? And, if that is what it is, is there a cure for it ( cut the charge back)?
Seems to me, we did some experimenting years back and couldn't get this stuff to burn, after cleaning it out of a barrel?

His answer:
What is left is simply residue (ash) from the powder itself.   This is part of the territory with all powders in varying degrees.  The magnum handgun powders all leave noticeable amounts of residue.  The degree can vary depending on the pressure of the load.  Higher pressure loads will be somewhat cleaner and lower pressure loads will cause more residue.  This is the nature of smokeless powder, and no matter what you do, nothing will completely eliminate the residue. 
 
Thanks for your interest in contacting us and have a nice weekend.

 Ben Amonette
Consumer Service Manager
Alliant Powder Company
www.alliantpowder.com