today's 2400 powder in 44 mag....

[alan in ga]

Ok guys, shot thousands [about 6K] of 44s in several Super Blackhawks and a Redhawk in the 1980s. .250 Keith and up to 22 gr of 'back then' 2400 as well as 10gr/Unique.
Just got another Redhawk after long ago selling all my 44s. It's a Hunter in Blue and I'm tickled to once again have a Redhawk.
I purchased a thousand Fed Mag pistol primers and a NEW pound of 2400 yesterday. I've heard today's 2400 is hotter than 'back then'...true?
I guess I'll start out around 18 or 19 grains. I'm shooting a newer RCBS mold 250 Keith SWC that has the squared lube groove, better than the old round groove my old mold has. Actual weight is 246 gr.
Suggestions?
Thanks!

[Ranch13]

No it's really not different than it's always been.  Think about it for a moment, if they really did change the formulation to make it hotter, they would of almost been required to change the name as pressures would be different and SAAMI would require it to be relabeled.
 So starting low and working up is always a good idea, and while some guns could digest Mr. Keiths load of 2400 others would lock the cylinders or stick the cases in the chambers. Even Skeeter Skelton wrote in the late 70's he had long ago forgone that charge of 2400 for one a couple of grains less as it was easy on the gun and the hand, and he didn't figure any critter made would even notice the difference.

[Graybeard]

Today's 2400 really is different than yesterday's 2400. It's gone thru some ownership changes and changes in where it is made. It burns a wee bit faster today than in long ago days.

The old Elmer Keith load of 22 grains of 2400 with a 240/250 grain bullet in .44 magnum isn't appropriate any longer. Today's 2400 should max out at 20 grains instead of 22 grains.

One other factor involved here is that the pressure the .44 magnum operates at has been dropped a fair bit since days of old as well. It hasn't changed as much as the .357 magnum has but both have been lowered from original pressure levels.

[Ranch13]

I have unique and 2400 from the old square can Hercules manufacture and I have unique and 2400 in the round plastic Alliant bottles, the loads I came to find best in my guns 40 years ago are still the same today.
 True they have dropped saami maximum averages for the 44 and 357, and I believe that is the reason we see the change in maximum listed loads, more so than any "change" made in the recipe for the powder.

[alan in ga]

Thanks guys. Going to be fun dumping 2400 into some new 44 cases once again! Got 3 new [to me] 44s to feed and look forward to it.
Redhawk 7.5"
MGM Contender fast twist [10"] barrel 11.5" long [bull],
and a second year Ruger 77/44 blue/Walnut.
All are unfired and awaiting to get heated up. : )
 

[sk330lc]

speer recommends using standard primers not Magnum primers with 2400.   just an fyi.

[Ranch13]

Was looking at a data sheet from Hercules from the mid 1980's, there they recommend 18 grs as maximum with 240+ gr bullets, today Alliant recommend 21 with jacketed and 20 with the Keith bullet..