DK Firearms

Loading 140gr XTP for the 357

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  • TexMex247

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    May 11, 2009
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    Leander(NW Austin)
    Bought a few hundred bullets. Now it's on to the fun part. I never have loaded 140s. Plenty of 125s and 158s which shoot just fine. I plan on using 2400 but I might also use Blue dot. I do have a great powder selection but I have several pounds of these 2.

    Doing some research I've seen people go as high as 16.5gr and as low as 14. I'm thinking 14.2, 14.5 and 14.8. Not sure I need anything hotter. Eventually I'll chronograph them too but for now I think this is a good starting point. I also found someone's pet load with blue dot at 13.5gr IIRC. This will be a SD/hunting load so if I'm not at 1300fps in a 5" gun I may be tempted to go hotter.

    Anyone run these and how do you like them ?
    Military Camp
     

    scattergun6

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    Sep 17, 2021
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    I loaded this bullet over 2400, Titegroup and Alliant Power 300-MP for a Martini Cadet I have rechambered in .357 Magnum. My 2400 load of 13.0 to 13.5 grains was too light, I believe. Not sure of the velocity as I don't own a chronograph. But the group at 50 yards wasn't as tight as I would like.
    I see from my records that I exceeded the recommended charge of Titegroup under this bullet, so I won't share that load. However, the charge I used was recommended for the 140 gr. Hornady XTP bullet, with no noticeable pressure issues...no flattened primers.
    My best load with this bullet was with 20.0 gr of the Alliant 300-MP. Again, no velocity info but a nice group at 50 yds with 4 of the 5 rounds fired touching.
     

    Mike_from_Texas

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    Feb 10, 2010
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    I loaded this bullet over 2400, Titegroup and Alliant Power 300-MP for a Martini Cadet I have rechambered in .357 Magnum. My 2400 load of 13.0 to 13.5 grains was too light, I believe. Not sure of the velocity as I don't own a chronograph. But the group at 50 yards wasn't as tight as I would like.
    I see from my records that I exceeded the recommended charge of Titegroup under this bullet, so I won't share that load. However, the charge I used was recommended for the 140 gr. Hornady XTP bullet, with no noticeable pressure issues...no flattened primers.
    My best load with this bullet was with 20.0 gr of the Alliant 300-MP. Again, no velocity info but a nice group at 50 yds with 4 of the 5 rounds fired touching.

    300MP is an excellent powder for pistol cartridges 357 mag and up.

    I use it in my 357 mag, 45LC and 454 Casull.

    I even load my supersonic loads in 300 blackout.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    rotor

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    Just curious, are you using Hornady manual for your 2400 load data? 10th edition has 2400 data at 11.9-max 15.5.
     

    TexMex247

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    I'm pooling info from 4 different manuals and comparing to popular internet recipes. When I loaded 14.5gr under 158s they were a bit warm. That load is easily the most popular with that weight. However, I think a similar load range will be perfect for this lighter bullet.
     

    GasGuzzler

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    May 19, 2018
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    Cooke County, TX
    2400 is so old, the data has changed a lot over time. I don't load light for cartridge bullets or jacketed bullets much. I bet 14.5 of 2400 would get you close to 1300 FPS in a 5" barrel but since 2400 is so hard to find I would save it for true magnum loads (158 grain at speed) and go with something more suited to a lightweight .357. 300-MP is good as noted and Lil'Gun works well. With a cast and gas checked 180 grain for a Ruger and 1892 combo, I'm sure my load is not a "book load" either but the books don't agree with each other anyway. It's why they're called a guide.
     
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