This is Hornady product #35771. I'd like to load some accurate rounds for my S&W 686, 6-inch barrel. Any favorite recipes out there?

It's not likely that anyone is still using Norma R-123 powder these days, but if by chance someone happens to be doing so, that might be my first choice. Otherwise I have the usual old standby selection available: 2400, Unique, 4227, and Red Dot.

Regardless of your gun, I will look forward to hearing about your experience with this bullet.

I have some of those bullets. I see in my Hornady 7th Edition that 2400 allows the highest velocity of the loads they tested, and that is the powder I use although I don't go quite all the way to MAX. I have some loaded and ready, waiting for a possible shot at a deer with my 6" Security Six. They're plenty accurate to 40+ yards and should carry some thump.

COL = 1.590"
Winchester Small Pistol Magnum primer
Velocities measured from an 8" Colt Python

Here is the Hornady #7 load map for 2400:

START
10.3gr = 900-fps
10.7gr = 950-fps
11.2gr = 1000-fps
11.7gr = 1050-fps
12.1gr = 1100-fps
12.6gr = 1150-fps MAX LOAD

Here is their load map for H4227:

START
11.4gr = 900-fps
11.9gr = 950-fps
12.3gr = 1000-fps
12.8gr = 1050-fps MAX LOAD

IMR 4227 is also listed, but no Unique or Red Dot.

Lyman #48 also lists IMR4227. They used a 4" test barrel and while their MAX charge went (naturally) slower than the Python, the MAX charge they list is almost two grains higher.

I don't recall the exact velocity I got over my chronograph, but I recall it was very close to what their Python got and I use Fed100 primers (not magnum primers) and 12.0 grains of 2400.

Enjoy loading them! Excellent bullets.

Sixtogo,
I have a couple for you,specifically loaded for a 686-4 6 " barrel,I've been loading this round since 1994 and it is a humdinger of a round.What range are you going to be shooting at and are you going to be handgun hunting with this round?The Hornady 180 grain XTP h.p.is extremely accurate out of my 6" 686-4.
My first load is the Hornady bullet over 14.2 grains of H-110 with a CCI 550 primer.This load produces a 6 shot group at 25 yards measuring .96 of a inch with a average velocity of 1084fps,standard deviation is 20fps which is excellent,and at a 100 yards velocity was and still is to this day 967fps(velocity was also measured at 100 yards after accuracy testing and no skyscreens were hit) and produces 2.79" groups these are fired off a sandbag at 25 and 100 yards.
Load # 2 same bullet,powder this time is VV N110,charge weight is 14 grains,same primer again,the 25 yard group isn't as good as load #1 but bare with me,25 yard accuracy is 1.36" with a velocity of 1195fps at the muzzle,100 yard accuracy is 3.11"for a 6 shot string,standard deviation was 26 fps also.Now load #2 is producing 571 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle and a amazing 451ft-lbs at a 100 yards,now 451 ft-lbs of energy at a 100 yards is impressive to me, most rounds I tested developing these loads didn't carry that type of energy at the muzzle,and this is plenty sufficient for whitetail and i've used it to harvest plenty in the last 12-13 years.
These loads were chronographed with my Oehler Model 35P with Skyscreens mounted approximately 12 ft from the muzzle,the 100 yard groups were measured at a actual 100 yards after the accuracy testing and no skyscreens where hit due to these amazing groups.I worked with these loadings that whole summer of 1994.Other powders were used but none shined like these during my load developement.I'm currently working on a 180 grain load in .357 magnum for a new GP-100 6" and load developement is still in progress.My 686 was ironsighted at the time but was outfitted with a Aimpoint reddot a few years back,the Ruger is going to be strictly iron sights.Hope this helps.I don't know if you have IMR-4227 or H-4227,if it's H-4227 I had one group at 25 yards that was redicously amazing with it but went to hell at a 100 yards.14 grains of H-4227 with a CCI 500 primer produced a .30" group with a velocity of only 980fps with a S.D. of 11 fps. at a 100 yards the best group measured 3.47" cluster but energy was pretty weak.
Equalizer

nitesite and Equalizer;
Many thanks to both of you for sharing your information and experience with this bullet. I'm excited about trying these loads, and I appreciate you taking time to write informative responses.

After I get the right formula (and lots of practice), I hope to use this round for whitetails in northern Michigan. Probably this winter I will carry the 686 along with my 35 Marlin carbine. In the heavy cover where we hunt, shots under 50 yards are fairly common, so it sounds like the Hornady 180-grainer might be just the ticket.

An afterthought when I bought the bullets today was to look into the possibility of trying them also in the 35Remington cartridge. Don't know if that would work or not - another project entirely. The Marlin likes 0.358" bullets. The Hornady 180-grainers I bought mike 0.3575".

Thanks again, gentlemen.

I load 12.9gr of AA#9 for the 180 HP/XTP w/WSP for my Ruger Security Six, works for me.

Equalizer,
those loads are impressive but aren't they over the top?
Hornady 5th Edition reports the 180 xtp at max with 13.1 of H-110, and max with 11.8 of VV N-110.

fly rodder

fly rodder,
Yeah they're over the top a bit according to the manuals,I did extensive research in this load developement,increasing charges 1/10 of a grain at a time,using magnum and standard primers.Checking for pressure signs and wear during this process.During this process,I used one source of brass,all virgin Federal nickel,cases where trimmed to a max case length of 1.290" and kept that way during this developement,mouths were reamed and chamfered after trimming along with primer pockets cleaned before each loading.The Hornady 180 was crimped in the top groove with a roll crimp on my RCBS Carbide dies.C.O.L. was 1.590" on all loads.These loads where loaded from the same powder lot #s,primer lot #s and bullet lot #s,I kept a strict control on this developement,I am still loading from the original control supply 14 years later,once I run out of componets for these loads it'll be back to the drawing board.I've had no signs of excessive wear on the L-frame,things are still tight,timing is still good,no sticky extractions,primer flattening or case splitting.No flame cutting to the top strap or erosion to the forcing cone.Maybe I've just been extremely lucky,but this was pretty a extensive project that went on for nearly 4 months.Each year the SAAMI standards change and loads 15 years ago from the same company's manual change and always seem to go lower on max loads.I know my loads are over the maximum listing but if someone chooses to try these loads,just use commen sense,start low and work up,check your pressure signs and approach these loads with caution,I know burn rates change from powder lot to powder lot,same as primers and bullets,in load developement I always buy enough of the same lot#s to do me for a long time.I have this same process going on with a new Ruger GP-100 right now,I've chosen 2 bullets in the 180 grain weight,the Hornady 180 XTPhp and the Remington 180 grain SJHP,the Ruger is leaning more towards the Rem.bullet far as 25 yard accuracy,but the Hornady still shines at a 100 yards.Every revolver is going to shoot different I know that and I'm sure you do to,what works for me in my revolver may act totally different in yours or anyone elses,so please dont take offense to anything I've put into this post.II just like to achieve the most accuracy and performance from my loads and my firearms.
Equalizer

Guys just for some comparisons here when I had this load devlopement going on i was using Hornady's 4th edition,and lets compare some powders and charge weight compared to the 7th edition.
4th edition 7th edition

these are max loads with all listings.
powder charge fps powder charge fps
800X 8.7 1250 AA#9 10.5 1050
Solo1500 8.4 1200 N-110 11.8 1100
AA#7 10.2 1250 2400 12.6 1150
Bluedot 9.6 1200 H4227 12.8 1050
HS-7 9.8 1200 W-296 13.7 1100
2400 12.5 1300 H 110 13.1 1050
AA#9 13.2 1350 IMR 4227 12.8 1000
H110 12.9 1150 N-120 14.3 1050
W-296 13.1 1100 test revolver 8' Colt Python
IMR 4227 15.1 1250 printed in 2007
test revolver 8-3/8" S&W M-27
printed in 1991
just comparison of how much things have changed from the 4th edition to the 7th,and how different handguns act.
Equalizer

Lil'Gun is an excellent choice in .357 Mag for a bullet weighing 180 gr. One of my favorite loads is the Hornady 180gr HP/XTP, 14.5 gr Lil'Gun, and a WSPM. This load chronos 1625 fps out of my Marlin 1894C and is very accurate (just under 2" @ 100 yds). Lil'Gun is a great powder to give highest velocities at lowest pressures, but it favors heavy for caliber bullets, such as a 180 in .357, and generally likes longer barrels but seems to work equally fine for accuracy in my 6" 586. Unfortunately I do not have chrono data for the revolver since I was working on a carbine load at the time.

Edit to add: I would also report it is my observation that this Lil'Gun load is not nearly as blasty/flashy as AA#9, H110 or WW296 maximum loads.

Equalizer & Doublegunner,
yes the data seems to vary and it is hard to be totally sure where the top end really is. Out of my 627, 14 grains of N110 under a 158 sierra is a very accurate load, but stout. Lil'gun seems easier on me and the gun. 17 grains under a Sierra 158 for instance is more tolerable. And 16 grains under a Sierra 170 JHC is good too.
fly rodder

fly rodder,
My 158 loads consist of a Hornady XTP or a Speer Golddot over 16.5 grains of W-296 or H-110 which I've found to be identical,in metering,burn rate and velocity and that Hodgdon makes it now for Winchester.This load is above maximum with the current Hornady 7th edition with the 158 XTP and the same in the Speer #13 with the 158 Golddot,but I've had great success with both of these bullets out of 4" K frames(65-1,19-5) and 4"N frame(28-2)and a 6" Taurus 66,the XTP has proven the most accurate for me at 25 yards for example,out of the Taurus 6" 66,1.35"s and 1,311fps with a extreme spread of 23fps.Actually the Taurus is my revolver specifically for my 158 grain loads,my 4"ers are mostly shot with either 125s,140 or 173grain Keith SWCs.I've never used Lil'Gun but that is on my to do list,VV N-110 has also been a good performer for me with little muzzle flash.
Equalizer

Just a note those loads are still in the 35,000PSI range.
Equalizer

quote:

Originally posted by fly rodder:
...17 grains under a Sierra 158 for instance is more tolerable....

It is a remarkable load in the Marlin 1894C carbine. Actually, I've loaded 18.0 gr Lil'Gun with either a Rem 158 JHP, Hornady HP/XTP or the Sierra JFP. With an 18" barrel advantage it chronos 1908fps w/a low ES. That velocity is probably over the design limit for 158 gr JHP pistol bullets of any type. They are likely to fragment, which is why I prefer 180s in a carbine. However, the 158 JHP load would be excellent in a 6" revolver, not to mention one whale of a HD/varmint load in the little lever action.

VAdoblegunner,
you ever try the Hornady 158 XTPFP? I shoot it from a Marlin 1894CP,the ported barrel makes it a ear ringer but the XTPFP anchors deer with authority,I've loaded it up to as high as 17.3 grains of H-110,and it gives excellent penetration and expansion.I've got a 2.5x20mm Compact Leupold mounted on this carbine and it delivers consistent 1" groups at a 100 yards,I've never took time to chrono this load,I'll have to do that.When I could afford them I loaded the Nosler Partition 180s on 13.5 grains of H-110 and a WSPM primer for a velocity of 1,604fps,extreme spread was 30fps and my best offhand group with iron sights at a 100 yards was 1.70
Equalizer

Only in non-game loads in a revolver, but I may have to give it a try in the Marlin. Hornady's website states that its design velocity is just under 1900 fps so it should work. And there's nothing like an actual field report to back that up!