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I have long shot 23gr 2400 behind a 240 gr. bullet as my standard hot hunting load for the .44MAG. I'm shooting this in a Ruger SuperBlackhawk. I checked the load in the old Serria manual, they list 23.3 gr as a max load. OK so far, and it's worked for years.
I get the new Alliant Reloader's Guide, and lo and behold, 18.7 gr., 20.6 gr., and 21.5 gr. 2400 listed as MAX loads behind three different 240 gr. bullets. Same barrel, same cases, one different primer.
What gives here? Is this the normal variation given different conditions, the Sierra data being shot at sea level in dry conditions in the LA basin, who knows where the Alliant data was shot? But why the variation in the Alliant data, given the assumption it was shot under the same or very similar conditions? I can't imagine that three different bullet designs, all 240 gr. weight, would cause that much variation in MAX loads.
Also, why the low numbers compared to the old standard of 23 gr.? Is the new 2400 slightly hotter than the old 2400? Should I adjust my load now that I'm out of the old 2400 and will buy a new can?
I have long shot 23gr 2400 behind a 240 gr. bullet as my standard hot hunting load for the .44MAG. I'm shooting this in a Ruger SuperBlackhawk. I checked the load in the old Serria manual, they list 23.3 gr as a max load. OK so far, and it's worked for years.
I get the new Alliant Reloader's Guide, and lo and behold, 18.7 gr., 20.6 gr., and 21.5 gr. 2400 listed as MAX loads behind three different 240 gr. bullets. Same barrel, same cases, one different primer.
What gives here? Is this the normal variation given different conditions, the Sierra data being shot at sea level in dry conditions in the LA basin, who knows where the Alliant data was shot? But why the variation in the Alliant data, given the assumption it was shot under the same or very similar conditions? I can't imagine that three different bullet designs, all 240 gr. weight, would cause that much variation in MAX loads.
Also, why the low numbers compared to the old standard of 23 gr.? Is the new 2400 slightly hotter than the old 2400? Should I adjust my load now that I'm out of the old 2400 and will buy a new can?