Reloading 357 Magnum with Hornady XTP 125 grain help???

[nickrdz]

I have never reloaded magnums before, so here is a list of what I have. Starling 357 brass, CCI Small Magnum Primers, Hornady XTP 125 grain and the powders I have are Trail Boss, CFE Pistol, and Lil' Gun. CFE pistol looks like it would get me closest to factory velocity and I can not find data for Lil Gun for 125 grains. I'm shooting out of a four inch SP101. I would like to be as close to factory velocity as possible or faster. If you can recommend me a loading manual with either of these powders in it that would be great. I don't plan on buying additional powders. All I have is the Lyman load manual.

[Enfield47]

CFE Pistol is your best bet of the powders you have. However, for best results you should buy a pound of H110 or Winchester 296 and use it instead.

[stevec223]

Hodgdonreloading.com has cfe pistol and hornady 125 xtp loads.... cheers...

[nickrdz]

Hodgdonreloading.com has cfe pistol and hornady 125 xtp loads.... cheers...

That's where I got my load data. I was hoping someone had something different

[nickrdz]

CFE Pistol is your best bet of the powders you have. However, for best results you should buy a pound of H110 or Winchester 296 and use it instead.

Hodgon has 296/H110 at a max velocity of about 1900fps. I was looking for something closer to 1450 to 1500 fps out of a 4 inch barrel.

[Divernhunter]

It looks like you have not done much reloading.
If you want mag performance you will need H-110 or Win296. Some people use 2400 but I always did better for performance and clean burning with H-110. You will want the mag primers. Also I remember some using 4227 powder.
Just do not download H-110 or Win296 below the start loads. You could have some unwanted results.

If you must use the powders you have pick the best and go for it knowing you can do better with H-110/win296.

Welcome to reloading.

[nickrdz]

It looks like you have not done much reloading.
If you want mag performance you will need H-110 or Win296. Some people use 2400 but I always did better for performance and clean burning with H-110. You will want the mag primers. Also I remember some using 4227 powder.
Just do not download H-110 or Win296 below the start loads. You could have some unwanted results.

If you must use the powders you have pick the best and go for it knowing you can do better with H-110/win296.

Welcome to reloading.

I've reloaded rifle and 45, but I'm new to Magnums. I didn't want to buy powder since I already have a lot, but I guess I'll have to add a pound or two of 296 to the inventory

[rm1911]

Because it's a 4" barrel, I'd recommend something like power pistol or AA#5. The slower "magnum" powders are great but I don't think you'll get the most out of them unless you have 6 or 8 inch barrels. It's funny, my fav 357 mag powder was blue dot. I really like the 125xtp also. However hogdon has a warning against using BD and the 125's. After shooting lots many years ago, who knew. So obviously avoid blue dot for the 125's.

Of course BD is awesome with 158's. Out of a 6" 686 it'd ring steel out to 100 no problem with blue dot.

Reason I'd say something like power pistol or maybe AA#5 is that it'll give great velocities out of shorter barrels. Maybe AA #7 too.

Other thing to keep in mind is what is the purpose of the load. For a SD round velocity isn't as huge an issue as you'd think. The xtp is a great bullet. It works well in a range of velocities. Adding another 50-75fps won't make a huge difference but will add considerable muzzle blast. A slower powder will have a lot of unburnt powder burning past the muzzle. It's wasted out there.

[Divernhunter]

Actually the powder that gives the highest speeds in longer barrels also does so in shorter barrels.
I have tested this my self and found it to be true.
So the slower mag type powders are still the best choice for the mag loads.

[sixoclockhold]

I have never reloaded magnums before, so here is a list of what I have. Starling 357 brass, CCI Small Magnum Primers, Hornady XTP 125 grain and the powders I have are Trail Boss, CFE Pistol, and Lil' Gun. CFE pistol looks like it would get me closest to factory velocity and I can not find data for Lil Gun for 125 grains. I'm shooting out of a four inch SP101. I would like to be as close to factory velocity as possible or faster. If you can recommend me a loading manual with either of these powders in it that would be great. I don't plan on buying additional powders. All I have is the Lyman load manual.

Hodgdon has CFE Pistol load for the 125 XTP 6.9-8.0 grains

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

[stilly]

DO NOT USE BLUE DOT TO LOAD ANYTHING in .357 MAGNUM @ 125gr and NOTHING AT ALL IN .41 MAGNUM should be loaded.

[JagerDog]

300 MP and AA#9 are a couple other good magnum pistol powders.

[Capt.Dunsel]

I have never reloaded magnums before, so here is a list of what I have. Starling 357 brass, CCI Small Magnum Primers, Hornady XTP 125 grain and the powders I have are Trail Boss, CFE Pistol, and Lil' Gun. CFE pistol looks like it would get me closest to factory velocity and I can not find data for Lil Gun for 125 grains. I'm shooting out of a four inch SP101. I would like to be as close to factory velocity as possible or faster. If you can recommend me a loading manual with either of these powders in it that would be great. I don't plan on buying additional powders. All I have is the Lyman load manual.

Try here : http://stevespages.com/357p_4_125.html

Oh look Stilly , the have BD listed HMMMMM.....

[stilly]

YOU'RE GONNA DIE!

[zvardan]

Cfe is your best bet.

125 grains with h110 or 296 make quite a boom.

With 110/296, make sure you press the round so the top of the cannelure is just barely showing, then put on a heavy roll crimp.

If you don't, you'll be blasting your forcing cone with a lot of unburned powder. Like a glitter gun