357 mag XTP's...what powder?

badguybuster

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I just ordered some of the Hornday XTP's in 125 and 158 grain. What powder and primers are you folks seeing the best results from? I am loading for my 627 UDR and 627 Pro.
 
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Well, I have a marlin 357 that should be arriving at the gun store thursday so it is good info. I am looking for a good load that doesnt require me to keep a bunch of different powders on hand. Everywhere I look I get different info. Grrrrrrrrr
 
What do you think of alliant 300 mp? My reloading book (Lee second edition) doesnt list any pressure values for it but it seems to be a step up from 296. Maybe a bit much???
 
I got my wife a Henry rifle in 357 last year .. sweet little rifle. didnt think I'd ever warm up to a lever gun but that one earned me.
We feed it a cast 160G HP over 2400 most of the time. It seems to augment the character of the rifle somehow
 
For full house magnums at max loads, H110/W296

2400 is a lot more forgiving and can be downloaded and no mag primer needed, from mild to full magnum.

Mr ArchCD will recommend HS6 with a Mag primer:D

Depends on what you want to do with them???
 
I don't load light bullets for the .357 magnum and I really don't use .357s in barrels under 4" but for 158 and 180 grain XTPs in my 4-8" barrels I use 4227 and 2400. These powders are on the slow side and make quite a flamethrower out of a snubbie.
 
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So are you using 38's in your "shorties"?

.38 +ps in the snubbies give a lot less of a light show and are easier on the ears and wrists. But then I'm old and frail. :) If I were loading .357 for a snubbie I would go with Unique or W231 as they are much faster burning and work in the short tubes, they don't give the best velocity's out of the longer tubes but they are more than sufficient.
 
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What do you think of alliant 300 mp? My reloading book (Lee second edition) doesnt list any pressure values for it but it seems to be a step up from 296. Maybe a bit much???
I am optomistic about the potential of the powder in a rifle but, so far, I have only been able to chronograph the low end of the recommended loads. Next time I get out where I can set up the chrono I will try the higher end.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/215227-alliant-300-mp-powder-carbine.html
 
I like win296 or hodgedon 110(same thing) and cci 550 primers in my 686.
I agree, W296 and a CCI-550 primer is also my choice.

@Rule3,
Yes, I do like HS-6 with a Mag primer for lower than full house magnum loads! :p (I wonder how you knew though?? :confused: )
 
Well, I have a marlin 357 that should be arriving at the gun store thursday so it is good info. I am looking for a good load that doesnt require me to keep a bunch of different powders on hand. Everywhere I look I get different info. Grrrrrrrrr


11- 12 grains 2400 158 gr.XTP This is the load I use for lever action pistol cartridge silhouette. It is the most accurate jacketed bullet load I have found. If you cast try a Ranch Dog 175 with the same load with lyman #2 alloy. This one is super accurate. By the way use standard small pistol primers for your first try. Magnum primers with 2400 have never been the most accurate, and that comes from many other shooters that use this load.
 
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Well, I have a marlin 357 that should be arriving at the gun store Thursday so it is good info. I am looking for a good load that doesn't require me to keep a bunch of different powders on hand. Everywhere I look I get different info. Grrrrrrrrr
Any good .357 Magnum load that you build for your revolver will work in your Carbine, I know because I have one. BUT, because the Marlin is heavy and long it's easier to handle 180gr ammo than with a 4" revolver. You don't need different powders but you might want heavier bullets.

I have a few loads using 180gr bullets that I load with Lil'Gun that deliver surprising velocity. I load them only for the Carbine. They are good hunting loads IMO. (Hornady XTP and Cast Performance Hard Case)
 
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I have had good results with 2400 powder in both the 125 and 158 grain XTP and I use small pistol (non Magnum) primers. Right now in my 27-2 I am carrying some 125 grain XTP with 16.5 grains. They work pretty good for a carry load.

Smith27btgt.jpg
 

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