357 mag XTP's...what powder?

[cerberus65]

I have only loaded the 125 gr. XTP's so far (a box of 158's is sitting on my bench but that's as far as it's gotten so far).

I use CCI 550 primers and 14.9 gr. of 2400. I get 1800 and a little out of a Marlin and 1150 out of a 4" L-frame. I could load hotter and get more velocity out of the revolver but then I'd have to be careful not to put them in the rifle since 14.9 gr. is less than a grain (.6?) from the top of the rifle load data I have.

When I get around to loading the 158's I'm likely to try and use 296 so I don't have the discrepancy between pistol and rifle data.

 

[colt_saa]

I have been loading the 125s over 21.6 grains for H110 for several decades now. I light them up with a CCI 550. I have launched many thousands of them down range in everything from a 2 1/8" model 60 to a 20" Marlin.

I have a few chronograph results.

From my 3 1/2" model 27 I get 1315 FPS
From my 8" Python they head out at 1599 FPS
From the 20" 1892 I get 2196 FPS

I load the 158s over 16.5 grains of H110 but I cannot find my chronograph notes on that load. I have not fired nearly as many 158s as 125s or even 180s

 

[badguybuster]

Arch-you seem to be the only one using lil gun. Some of the horror stories I read don't seem to favor it but I'm curious since I have a good bit of it. Should it only be used in carbine loads?

 

[45cal]

2400 has been my favorite for decades in 357 mag,and regular primers.
I also started using it in my 44 mag last year with lead.Still regular primers.

 

[jibjab]

I have had great results with AA#9 for jacketed and hard cast at max loadings. I like WSP or CCI 500 for accuracy but I here rumors that in cold temperatures mag primers should be used ?

I like Alliant's 2400 for it's flexibility, it is forgiving.

 

[pop-gunner]

I'm using 14gr of 2400 under a 158gr JHP and getting silly accuracy.
This load runs 1250fps out of a 6in 686 80ft above sea level with a temp. in the 70s.
Moderate crimp at recommended OAL.

 

[badguybuster]

what qualified as "silly" accuracy? You shooting clowns or mimes?

 

[colt_saa]

what qualified as "silly" accuracy? You shooting clowns or mimes?

While shooting Clowns might be silly, remember if you plan on shooting a Mime you need to use a Silencer

 

[kenjen]

You only need 3 powers for hand guns, unquie,2400 and bullseye

 

[badguybuster]

Ha Ha ha. Just read the mime thing....priceless. Anyone got any carbine loads using Lil gun?

 

[5906fan]

ha-ha-ha. silent shooting.
I use Power Pistol for 125gr. don't have a carbine though.
quite a fireball though

 

[terrier]

I also use 14grs of 2400 and the 158 xtp in my Blackhawk. I use an awful lot of Unique though, 12gr in 30-30, same in .308 all with 170gr cast with a gas check. Use 231 for .38 loads and I'm starting to use Trail Boss but haven't shot them yet. Be safe.

 

[zeke]

Am using V V N110, Fed 100 primers and load weights based on Speer's manual. Not quite as fast as 296 loads, less flash and cleaner.

 

[125JHP]

If I'm not running Unique then I'm probably using Blue Dot.

I don't know why Alliant buries this notice on their website and it is hard to find but FWIW and FYI...

"During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be
used in the following applications:

Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).

Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury."

Although I haven't used it yet I hear a lot of good things about PowerPistol.

 

[badguybuster]

Now thats interesting. Wonder whats up with it. FYI- I need some load suggestions. I just got 100 hard cast (brile 18) flat points to load up. Gonna do half as pistol rounds and half as rifle. They are 195 grain. Anyone got a good starting point? Cant find loads for them anywhere

 

[Fishslayer]

I don't know why Alliant buries this notice on their website and it is hard to find but FWIW and FYI...

"During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be
used in the following applications:

Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).

Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury."

Although I haven't used it yet I hear a lot of good things about PowerPistol.

I've seen Blue Dot described as "the psycho girlfriend of powders."

I've also seen that Alliant has changed the formula recently?

My LGS owner likes the stuff for .357 Magnum.

The 14gr of 2400 is a go to load for many. I like it under a 158gr XTP or Nosler SJHP. The Noslers seem a bit more accurate.

For 125gr I've used Bullseye & W231. Haven't shot enough of 'em to really form an opinion except that the recoil is pretty stout.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I will second Arch Angel on the 180gr XTP and Lil'Gun in a Marlin. You will get some pretty impressive velocities. Although it generally likes heavy for caliber bullets, it does work pretty well in a carbine with 158s too.

My log shows 18.0gr Lil'Gun and a 158XTP averaging 1910fps in my Marlin 1894C.

The controversy about Lil'Gun seems more directed toward revolvers. I have no problems with using it in carbine or Contender. In fact, one of these days I intend to experiment with it some in my 14" 357 MAX barrel with 158s and 180s. I still have a bunch of 1680 though and that proved to be a pretty decent powder for it.

I also like Blue Dot and WW296, but I get the best velocity and accuracy from Lil'Gun in the Marlin.

 

[badguybuster]

Any suggestions on the bullets I listed above?

 

[Rule3]

Any suggestions on the bullets I listed above?

We still talking about 357 Mag.? The original post was XTP's??

Lyman cast 4th edition does not list a bullet that heavy in rifle or handgun. The max they have is 180gr.

If you find jacketed bullet data for that weight, you can use that for the lead.

 

[Buckey08]

Last fall I did a bit of testing with Alliant Power Pro 300MP and 158gr XTP's. The test guns were a 6" 686 S&W and a 4" 686 S&W and speed screens were set at 10 ft. The results were

4" 686 17.8gr 300MP, Rem SP, 158gr XTP
1330, 1330, 1325, 1317, 1340fps

6"686 17.8 300MP, Rem SP, 158gr XTP
1404,1344,1342,1356,1360fps

The groups shot with the 6" 686 were shot at 50yds and they are the best groups ever shot from this gun in the 15 yrs I've owned it. Alliant power Pro 300MP will be my powder of choice for full power loads from now on.A word of caution, MP300 is a pain in the butt in a powder measure. As ALWAYS these loads were safe IN my gun, Always work up slowly and be safe
TX...........Buckey