Reloading Hornady 125 grain XTPs with Accurate #9 in 357 magnum

[Maineboy]

There is a big difference in maximum charges for the 125 grain Hornady XTP bullet as published on the Hogdon reloading center (15.6gr @1567fps) and the Hornady 4th edition Handbook (18.6gr @ 1750fps). I am working up loads with these components and wonder if more recent editions of the Hornady handbook have the same maximum charge. Speer lists 14.6gr @ 1228fps as the maximum for their 125gr bullet.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Since you are working up loads with these components, please advise US as to your results.

Cheers!

P.S. What's your choice of a START point given the conflicting MAX data you have reported? Also, what is your intended application for your reloads? Hornady only loads this bullet to 1500 fps...

 

[Maineboy]

Hornady #4 start load is 15.8gr of #9, .2gr. over the Hogdon max load of 15.6gr. I'm starting at 14.6gr. I'd like to know if newer edition Hornady handbooks have the same data.

 

[WILDPIG]

Hornady #7 lists a max of 14.5gr.

WILDPIG

 

[WILDPIG]

XTP sit deeper in the case than some bullets.

WILDPIG

 

[zeke]

The newest Hornady manual i have is the 9th edition. For the 357 mag and 125 gn xtp, the max charge listed is 14.5 gns AA9 for 1400 fps from 8 in Python using Win wspm primer.

While older manuals have lots of valuable info, am one of those trusting the newer manuals more (at least as far as a reloading manual can be trusted)

 

[71vette]

I have access to the digital 11th edition. The data is the same as the 9th. 14.5 grains of AA#9 at 1400fps from an 8 inch Python.

ETA - starting charge is 9.7 grains at 1k fps.

 

[Yendor357]

Tell ya what, Maine, you send your bullets, powder, primed cases, and revolver to me, and I’ll chrono them and tell you EXACTLY what’s going on.

Until then, there’s no way of knowing. I am of the opinion that my current lot of #9 is warmer than what the book’s are. In 44 mag, I’m getting 1400+ fps with a 240 XTP in a 4.25 Anaconda, and I’m still a grain under Hornady’s max load.

I do like #9 for 357, and 44 revolvers. (H110 in rifles).

Need my address? lol!

 

[Maineboy]

Tell ya what, Maine, you send your bullets, powder, primed cases, and revolver to me, and I’ll chrono them and tell you EXACTLY what’s going on.

Until then, there’s no way of knowing. I am of the opinion that my current lot of #9 is warmer than what the book’s are. In 44 mag, I’m getting 1400+ fps with a 240 XTP in a 4.25 Anaconda, and I’m still a grain under Hornady’s max load.

I do like #9 for 357, and 44 revolvers. (H110 in rifles).

Need my address? lol!

Thank you for the info, it certainly is more realistic than what's in the 4th edition. I do have and always use a chronograph when developing new loads.

 

[Maineboy]

I have access to the digital 11th edition. The data is the same as the 9th. 14.5 grains of AA#9 at 1400fps from an 8 inch Python.

ETA - starting charge is 9.7 grains at 1k fps.

Thank you!

 

[Maineboy]

The newest Hornady manual i have is the 9th edition. For the 357 mag and 125 gn xtp, the max charge listed is 14.5 gns AA9 for 1400 fps from 8 in Python using Win wspm primer.

While older manuals have lots of valuable info, am one of those trusting the newer manuals more (at least as far as a reloading manual can be trusted)

Thank you!

 

[mtgianni]

I am also interested. I have an older lot but get a lot of unburned powder below 150 gr in 357.

 

[zeke]

Thank you!

you're welcome

 

[wwsmith111]

There is a big difference in maximum charges for the 125 grain Hornady XTP bullet as published on the Hogdon reloading center (15.6gr @1567fps) and the Hornady 4th edition Handbook (18.6gr @ 1750fps). I am working up loads with these components and wonder if more recent editions of the Hornady handbook have the same maximum charge. Speer lists 14.6gr @ 1228fps as the maximum for their 125gr bullet.

I have the Hornady 11th edition max load for a 125gr Hornady XTP or FP-XTP with Accurate #9 is 14.5gr for 1400fps. Best max is 1600fps with Power Pro 300 MP 20.4gr. 2nd Best max loads are with H110 19.9gr, Win 296 20.3gr, VIHT N-110 16.1gr. Those all gave 1500fps. Send me your email address I'll send you an image of the page if you want.

 

[Maineboy]

I have the Hornady 11th edition max load for a 125gr Hornady XTP or FP-XTP with Accurate #9 is 14.5gr for 1400fps. Best max is 1600fps with Power Pro 300 MP 20.4gr. 2nd Best max loads are with H110 19.9gr, Win 296 20.3gr, VIHT N-110 16.1gr. Those all gave 1500fps. Send me your email address I'll send you an image of the page if you want.

Thanks, but I don't have any of those powders. I am also trying Unique, 2400, and CFE-Pistol with that bullet.

 

[wwsmith111]

Thanks, but I don't have any of those powders. I am also trying Unique, 2400, and CFE-Pistol with that bullet.

 

[Maineboy]

Thank you!

 

[Maineboy]

If anyone is interested, I have the results from my 125gr. XTP - AA#9 load development. My revolver used is a Dan Wesson with a six-inch barrel, all loads were in Winchester nickel plated brass and used Winchester small pistol primers. My starting load of 14.6 grains averaged 1352fps with a high of 1377fps and a low of 1325.and an SD of 19. The middle load of 15.1 grains had a high of 1418fps and a low of 1398 for a 1404 average and an SD of only 9! The top load, obtained from the Hogdon reloading website, of 15.6 grains was all over the place with a high of 1400 and a low of1259 for an average of 1343. My load with this bullet will be 15.1 grains.

Other loads I tried were 17.5 grains of 2400 with a high of 1400 and a low of 1259 for a 1313 average, 8.0 grains of CFE-Pistol for an average of only 1201 fps, and 9.6 grains of Unique with a high of 1312 and a low of 1149 for a 1208 average. Interestingly, all the primers appeared the same and none of the cases had sticky extraction EXCEPT for 2 of the Unique loads which had flattened primers and required a bit of effort on the extractor rod.