357 Max and Hornady 180 XTP

[jbwell]

Has anyone loaded the 180 XTP to the rear grove for a COL of 2.010/2.020?
If so what load did you come up with?

[tc scout]

I have tried some in the past, accuracy was worse than using the first cannelure.
Whether you use the first or second cannelure your max load is going to remain the same.
I use H110 and I think it left too much space in the case for consistent ignition.
Other powders might be different.
I no longer shoot the max, it has been replaced with a 357 mag,
but I still use H110, bullet seated in the first cannelure.
Hornady's 7th edition doesn't list a load with a bullet seated in the second cannelure.
But it never hurts to try a few loads as long as you remain within published loads.

[shot1]

I shoot the 357 mag not the max and I also found that it is more accurate seated in the top or first groove below the nose. I did not increase the powder charge though when I seated the bullet in the second groove. I do believer that you can add a small amount of powder when you do this but you are treading into unknown waters when you do. I have a number of wildcat calibers and I have learned that you need to start low and go very slow in increasing powder charges and really watch for pressure and measure case bases etc. when making up your own load data. No two barrels are the same though. What might shoot great for one will not for another. That is the fun part of hand loading, trial and error in finding what shoots. Good luck in your endeavors. 

[sk330lc]

You need to use a Powder like RL-7 when long seating for the 357 Max.   H110 and w296 Doesn't do real well with the extra space in the case.  

[jbwell]

Thanks all for your input. In the past I've gone both ways, add powder or crimp bullet over shoulder instead of in the grove to increase velocity. Reason I asked is that Hornady manual list both the 180 XTP & the 180 SSP as the same. The XTP being .125 deeper in the case than the SSP when seated to the front grove got me to wondering about moving it out to rear grove which is the same .340 to base of the bullet as t he SSP.
I use the 180 SSP with 1680 in my 24" Max TC rifle. I plan on using the 180 XTP with 296 in my 10" TC to make up my rifle/pistol combo...

[Hopalong7]

      I'm a big fan of H110/WW296...but not in the max.  I've had better results, even in 10" barrels, with AA1680.  My favorite for long many years in any Max barrel has been WW680, but my stash is getting low.  AA1680 is the closest duplicate I've found, and, it does come pretty close.  I've not shot the 180XTP much....have had good luck with the 180SSP and 180RemHP.  Only bullet under 180 that I've had success with is the also long disscontinued 150RemSP.  Luckily I have a stash of them as well.
Walt

[Artful]

Just picked up a 357 max 14" barrel - was going with idea of a heavy cast bullet and was going to use 5744 powder (my 45.70 loves that powder)
Has anyone tried that combo in their barrel yet?