Loads for 357 158 gr XTP-FP

[kkeetr]

If you have a good, accurate load using hornady 158 gr XTP-FP's, would you please share it?  What kind of velocity and accuracy are you getting out of the load?  

I am looking to work up a load for my Taurus Tracker Ti revolver with 6" barrel.  I worked some up using Winchester small pistol magnum primers and 16 grs of H4227 but velocity wasn't as high as expected (only 1120-1150 fps) and there were signs of high pressure (extrememly flattened primers, difficult case extraction).  Thanks for your help!

[monson_magnum]

I don't know if you're looking for something custom, or just load data out of a book. Anyway, here's something out of the Hornady manual.

See if this help's.

[jd45]

You can also go to the Reloadammo.com website. jd45

[kkeetr]

Thanks for the scan and the URL!  I had been using data from Nosler and an old Speer manual which used much more powder than the Hornady manual you posted.  

What I was looking for is someone with a similar gun who had struck on a good load that worked well for them.  It looks like I am gonna load some up with either H110 or W296 and give them a try.  I don't have any 296 so that'll give me an excuse to buy yet another can of powder! :wink:

Some times I think it would be cheaper to take up golf but it just isn't as much fun!!!! :grin:

[Jerry Lester]

Get a manual, and work up to maximum loads with either the H-110, or the 296, and you'll likely have a great load giving you somewhere between 1300-1400 fps.

Another good powder to try is AA-9 (what I'm using). This powder gives good velocity/accuracy, but tends not to be quite as dirty from my experience.

I'm in the proccess of testing out some Lil' Gun in my 357 rifle right now, but haven't tried any combinations using it in my 6.5" Blackhawk yet. It's probably the best powder I've ever tried in the Rifle so far, but I still have some work to do on it, before I commit to using it.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Yeah, I'd recommend Lil'Gun for .357.  There's some folks on a different mssg board that are getting some outstanding velocity/accuracy with it.

The Hodgdon website has a load recipe for 158xtp's and Lil' Gun.  The max is 18 grains and the pressure is only 25K CUP, but the velocity equaled or exceeded H110!

I'm curious why Hodgdon didn't publish a load of Lil' Gun that runs closer to 40K CUP.  It ain't like 18 grains spills out of the case or nothin'.  

Lil' Gun has been working well in my .357 rifle - and looks promising in my Blackhawk.  My BH went back to Ruger to have them check it for "end play".  I will hopefully get it back soon and can give more details on how it likes Lil' Gun.

[jd45]

For what it's worth, here's one from my 3rd Edition Vihtavuori Manual:
BBL: 7"--1 in 18-1/2" twist--minimum dims (groove dia.?)
Primer: small rifle
Case: Remington
OAL: 1.575"
Powder: N105--Start wgt--10.9grs---vel.-1320fps
                        Max wgt--11.9grs---vel.-1417fps(35000psi)
No personal experience with this as I don't load for .357. jd45.

[kkeetr]

Thanks for all the info, folks!  

It looks like I'm going to have to buy a jug of lil' gun as well as 296.  I can't wait to get started!

Tight groups to all!  :grin: