180 gr Xtps?

[bigvarmnt]

Anyone shot 180 gr XTPs out of newer 44 mag barrels accurately? 200s have shot good. Tried a couple of 240s but not shooting at a target. Have to make a few and check for acc. Thinking of trying the 180s for longer, flatter shooting. They may be  short to diameter and wondered if anyone had good results. Also wondered why in my Hodgdon manual they list 110 and 4227 in rifle section and several powders in pistol section. New at pistol cart in rifles, but thought you can shoot any pistol loads in rifle. Is this right? Thanks for any input.

[dpe.ahoy]

You can shoot any that aren't so light they get stuck in the barrel.  DP

[rickt300]

I haven't shot the 180 XTP bullets yet.  I bought a box of the 200 grain XTP's and expect to test them soon.  My rifle has such a deep throat that I think the shorter bullets would have too much of a jump as you couldn't seat them out as far as I can the 240 gr. bullets. They may shoot just fine though.  Revolvers have a pretty good jump before the bullet hits the rifling and a lot of them shoot very well.

[bigvarmnt]

Hope the 200's shoot good for you. I like them. Less felt recoil than the 240's I thought and liked, but I also switched powders. 180's should feel better on my shoulder. You guys with them 45-70's make me flinch when I read your posts. I plan to pick up 100 of 180's tomorrow and see what happens. Weather should be better the next couple days and I hope to find time to do a better comparison of the three bullets.   

[Ranger J]

Mine shoots 180 gr XTPs with a full load of H110 great!  It is the most accurate bullet I have yet found.  Mine seems to like anything XTP as long as it is pushed fast and it seems to like the lighter bullets best.  It also likes OT 180 gr cast bullets over Trail Boss.

RJ

[bigvarmnt]

Thanks Ranger, What I wanted to hear. Don't really like H110 but thats what I used with my 200 gr. XTP's and they shot great. Was trying to use it up but may have to change my thinking. Is yours the tighter barrel?

[rickt300]

I just changed to IMR 4227 because it is a more flexible powder and I have had good results with it before.  My rifle seems to like anything pushed fast and it is the newer bore size.  I really want to find a good load for a non gas checked bullet in the 265-310 grain range with as big a flat nose as possible.

[bigvarmnt]

I used all my IMR 4227 a couple years back but now have H4227 was thinking of trying. I tried a couple 240 XTPs with Lilgun and shot a clay target at 100yds. nicked it rolled it down hill. Just showing my buddy how it shot, then went with him and  bought his 44 mag. I looked last night and found 69 left of 500 240 gr lead big flat nose I used to shoot out of my 629 Smith. Won't shoot lead yet if ever. Didn't like digging it out of pistol barrel and know I won't like an extra 16" of misery. Good luck on that non gas checked bullet.

[rickt300]

I shot some Rainier plated 240 gr. bullets out of my rifle that were pushed by 10 gr. of universal clays, they keyholed.  I figure they were going too slow to stabilize in the rather slow 1 in 38 twist.  However I tried some 250 gr. Keith style bullets on top of 20.0 grs. of IMR 4227 and they shot fine and did not lead the barrel.  I'd guess they were going a little faster than 1400 fps which is a pretty useful velocity.  That would be a good velocity for a 300 gr. bullet.

[bigvarmnt]

I may get some 300 gr bullets today but don't know if I want the punishment yet. May try those for deer but have killed deer with 45 cal round balls before, 120 gr. I think. I remember hearing good things about those Keith bullets. The grooves look different in the Handi than in my pistols, may not lead as bad??Haven't played with 44 for over 10 years. Been into 22 c.f. rifles lately. Just thought the 44 and 357 would be good for a grin. Would like to knock over a Whistle Pig with a 44 at 200 yds.

[Ranger J]

Yes mine is one of the newer barrels.

RJ

[bigvarmnt]

Can't find 180's locally. Was gonna get 180 200 and maybe 300 ouch! Guess it's time for an internet order