Good Powder for Hornady XTP 115 Grain

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kbm6893

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I'm about to start loading 9MM. I've gotten pretty confident with loading 38 although I still weigh every load. I got 500 free Hornady XTP bullets in 115 grain when I bought the press. The manuals I have show no data for that bullet except the Hornady manual that came with the press. Here's what I have in the way of powder.

IMR 7625- what I planned to use. Been told it great for 9MM
HP38
Red Dot (using that for my 38 and it's going well)
Trail Boss

The Hornady manual lists none of those powders. It does list Win 231, which I believe is the same as HP38. I'd like to use the 7625 until it's gone.

So any other sources I can use? Just looking to punch paper

Finally, the Hornady manual lists a COL of 1.075". I assume this is maximum. So should I start at that and gradually lower it a bit while doing a barrel test each time?

I'll be shooting these out of a Beretta 92, a Ruger SR9, and a Ruger LC9. Wish I hadnt sold my last 3rd gen. Might have to get another fast

Thanks for the help
 
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While 7625 does work well in the 9MM I found that it takes at least 4.9 grains to function a 92 reliably with a 115 grain bullet.

I load them to 1.120" OAL and use 5 grains of 7625 for the best function.

Also 7625 meters very well so that is a plus.

Several old manuals list loads in this range as well as Ken Waters Pet Loads.

I still have four pounds left and plan to keep shooting it in my 9mm guns.

BLM
 
Bruce Lee M said:
While 7625 does work well in the 9MM I found that it takes at least 4.9 grains to function a 92 reliably with a 115 grain bullet.

I load them to 1.120" OAL and use 5 grains of 7625 for the best function.

Also 7625 meters very well so that is a plus.

Several old manuals list loads in this range as well as Ken Waters Pet Loads.

I still have four pounds left and plan to keep shooting it in my 9mm guns.

BLM
Click to expand...

Is there an online source for that data? Also, the book lists maximum loads. So if I'm looking at the 1000 fps, it lists a max charge of 4.1 with win 231. So a minimum charge would be 10% less than that, so minus .41 from 4.1 and I have a minimum and maximum range? I normally go middle of the range with 38
 
more info

Here is a bit of information that I previously wrote on the subject. I just saw last post. All the data I used came from books. SR 7625 loads may be on the net but since I had enough sources I didn't search it out.

I took a Beretta 92 and some hand weighed charges of 4.5-4.7-4.9 grains behind a 115 grain Rainier bullet.

The 4.5 grain load would not cycle the action. Cycling was better at 4.9 but still lighter than a 4.5 grain load of BE.

Ken Waters Pet loads and Sierra list loads up to 5.2 grains. This powder needs to be loaded near the top.
 
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For my 9mm's I load 4.8 grains of 231 with a 115 grain FMJ bullet .
Out of a 4.5" barrel it chrono's at 1140 FPS average .
 
Finally, the Hornady manual lists a COL of 1.075". I assume this is maximum. So should I start at that and gradually lower it a bit while doing a barrel test each time?

I would say that is the minimum OAL.

Bullets will vary in length due to the shape of the bullet ogive and the width and depth of the hollow point.

Speer lists a different OAL for each of its bullets but there is an apparent pattern that can be applied to similar bullets.

The problem is you want to use SR 7625 a powder which I find to be rather soft shooting compared to Bullseye, Unique or 231.

So you could start with the lowest load listed and use a shorter OAL than I do to achieve proper function and save a little powder.

With any powder in the 9MM the shorter the OAL the higher the pressure.

This is a very small cases filled with powder no matter which brand you choose.

I try not to load shorter than Speers recommended OAL for each style bullet. Even if I may be using Rainier,Exteme,Hornady or Sierra's bullets.

BLM
 
Bruce Lee M said:
Finally, the Hornady manual lists a COL of 1.075". I assume this is maximum. So should I start at that and gradually lower it a bit while doing a barrel test each time?

I would say that is the minimum OAL.

Bullets will vary in length due to the shape of the bullet ogive and the width and depth of the hollow point.

Speer lists a different OAL for each of its bullets but there is an apparent pattern that can be applied to similar bullets.



The problem is you want to use SR 7625 a powder which I find to be rather soft shooting compared to Bullseye, Unique or 231.

So you could start with the lowest load listed and use a shorter OAL than I do to achieve proper function and save a little powder.

With any powder in the 9MM the shorter the OAL the higher the pressure.

This is a very small cases filled with powder no matter which brand you choose.

I try not to load shorter than Speers recommended OAL for each style bullet. Even if I may be using Rainier,Exteme,Hornady or Sierra's bullets.

BLM
Click to expand...

Yes. I meant minimum OAL. So i should use the IMR data with the Speer Bullet, but use the lightest charge and work my way up? So how much should I increase the minimum Oal to lessen the pressure?
 
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Win 231 is the same as HP38, correct? I think I'm better off saving the 7625 for bullets better matched to it and I'll just use the HP38 I have with the free Hornady XTP's. I'm new to reloading. I prefer using an exact recipe and not freelancing right now.
 
I didn't mean to scare you away from using SR 7625.

Its best use for me has been in the 9mm.

That's why I gave you my safe and recommended load levels with OAL that I read in my reloading manuals.

It is not as good as some powders but it is certainly adequate for 9mm loads both 115 plated and 124 fmj.

When you use this powder you will notice a difference. Soft shooting loads no where near maximum pressure.

As far as HP 38 and 231 I understand they are supposed to be the same. I have not had those powders to load in years so no insight into how they work best.

It is always safe to load longer than shorter and that is what I do when working up loads.

I hope this helps, but yes, please confirm any data that you are given on the internet.

BLM
 
kbm6893 said:
Yes. I meant minimum OAL. So i should use the IMR data with the Speer Bullet, but use the lightest charge and work my way up? So how much should I increase the minimum Oal to lessen the pressure?
Click to expand...

The part about using the lightest charge and working up is correct. The part about changing OAL? I've not ever seen a chart, or formula, or any other kind of authoritative guide that gives even a close estimate of how much a change in OAL will change pressure. We know, from experience, that a smaller (shorter) OAL will 'usually' result in higher pressure, and vice versa. But, how much is really fuzzy science.
 
IMR lists some pretty weird bullets to be used with the 7625. 125 grain. 130 grain. They do list the 147 grain XTP, but I'm not looking to spend that kind of money to punch paper. Isn't there a 7625 recipe for standard fmj bullets?
 
The Lee 2nd lists a range of 4.5 to 4.9 grains of ST7625 with the 115 grain Hornady XTP. They also list the minimum OAL at 1.125 inch, which to me sounds a lot more reasonable than that 1.050 inch you listed. Since most commercial loads for the 9mm feature an OAL of 1.125 inch I have a hunch that running that shorter overall length might create some feed issues, however that is just a hunch.

I use SR7625 as my go to powder for light target loads, because I've found it to produce good accurate loads with less muzzle flip than loads featuring Unique. As noted by a previous poster it does "like" to be run nearer the upper end of the data and with a new workup I'll normally start a couple of tenths under the midpoint and work up from that.
 
scooter123 said:
The Lee 2nd lists a range of 4.5 to 4.9 grains of ST7625 with the 115 grain Hornady XTP. They also list the minimum OAL at 1.125 inch, which to me sounds a lot more reasonable than that 1.050 inch you listed. Since most commercial loads for the 9mm feature an OAL of 1.125 inch I have a hunch that running that shorter overall length might create some feed issues, however that is just a hunch.

I use SR7625 as my go to powder for light target loads, because I've found it to produce good accurate loads with less muzzle flip than loads featuring Unique. As noted by a previous poster it does "like" to be run nearer the upper end of the data and with a new workup I'll normally start a couple of tenths under the midpoint and work up from that.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Is there an online version of that manual? Have you used that recipe?
 
Bruce Lee M said:
While 7625 does work well in the 9MM I found that it takes at least 4.9 grains to function a 92 reliably with a 115 grain bullet.

I load them to 1.120" OAL and use 5 grains of 7625 for the best function.

Also 7625 meters very well so that is a plus.

Several old manuals list loads in this range as well as Ken Waters Pet Loads.

I still have four pounds left and plan to keep shooting it in my 9mm guns.

BLM
Click to expand...

So really the most important thing is the weight of the bullet, and not the type? So even though the bullet listed on the IMR website with 7625 is a 115 grain Speer GDHP, I can use the powder charge listed there (4.5-4.9)? I know the COL is going to be a bit different, but could I use the COL listed in the Hornady manual (minimum 1.075)? The IMR data shows a COL of 1.125 with the Speer GDHP.

I'm new to reloading and am only using these bullets because they're free. When they are gone I will buy bullets that are specifically listed with the powder I have.

I'm just looking to make safe rounds for punching paper. Not interested in getting into super accuracy.
 
I have used the Red Dot in a 4" XD9 and have a full load ready
to test but have not been able to get out and put it across the chrony.
A minimum 70% load with a 115gr plated did 926 fps and shot
at poa and did well in accuracy out of my 3" Kahr.

A medium loading out of the 4" got 1073 with a OAL of 1.12"
and a near maximum load with a OAL of 1.14" got 1092 fps that
was accurate but 1" low in the Springfield at 20-25 feet.

With the 4" or longer barrel you will get plenty of speed out of
that light 115gr bullet........ I got my best accuracy with
speeds from 1020 up to 1180 fps. I have not tried any loads
for higher + Luger speeds as yet, that these newer pistols
should be able to handle.

As a note;
A youtube test with the 115gr XTP in Gel needed at least 1045 fps
for the jacket to expand properly and penetrate 17 inches.

Good loading.
 
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Lee's reloading data are results that were originally developed by other sources and used with permission by Lee. I suspect that the originating source for the XTP data Lee lists is probably Lyman, because Lyman does seem to have a fondness for the Hornady XTP. BTW, I fully understand that fondness because I have found them to be superbly accurate bullets in my 357 Magnum Rifle loads.

Now, many times you can swap data from one bullet to another as long as they are the same weight. However this is not always 100% true so it is critical to start low and work up. You also need to pay very close attention to even the minimum loads because sometimes a minimum for one bullet can be over the maximum for another bullet even when they are the same identical weight.
 
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