357 "Plinker" Load?

[ESquared]

Offering another opinion,
I've reloaded and shot a few hundred 110 grain xtp in my BBB.
Used them in Pistol Caliber Silhouette for the first two stages. 40 and 50 meters.
The fact that Hornady did not offer Rifle Data did throw a caution... but I used start charges from Hodgdon, Sierra and Speer data for H110.
They worked well for me.
As far a damage to the rifle, they are slower than 30-30 starter charges for 110 gr. 2200 fps is not hyperspeed.
And using H110, pressure is lower than using Titegroup to get 1600.
Adds to case life.

Edit
Ok so doing some back ground reading last night I saw (I can't remember who) someone said, regarding light weight pistol bullets in 357 rifles, "make sure the bullets can stand up to the "relative hypervelosity" of the load."

Just going back through this thread as I gear up with some load options for these 110 gr XTPs that Hornady is sending me, and I've got the options covered with Unique.

HOWEVER, I also have some H110 on hand, and Hodgdon has a 357 Rifle load for 110 gr XTP, but within a very narrow range: min of 22 grains, max of 23. Is this even worth wasting the powder on, or should I just stick with the Unique?

[CT_Shooter]

HOWEVER, I also have some H110 on hand, and Hodgdon has a 357 Rifle load for 110 gr XTP, but within a very narrow range: min of 22 grains, max of 23. Is this even worth wasting the powder on, or should I just stick with the Unique?

That amount of H110 would fill a .357 case and would get compressed under the seated bullet. It is a recommended charge, but I'd stick with Unique, which I also use (along with HP38 and Universal) for 125 grain Jacketed bullets that also require compressed loads of H110. It may be OK, but I don't like the idea at all, so I don't use it. Just my opinion.

[ESquared]

HOWEVER, I also have some H110 on hand, and Hodgdon has a 357 Rifle load for 110 gr XTP, but within a very narrow range: min of 22 grains, max of 23. Is this even worth wasting the powder on, or should I just stick with the Unique?

That amount of H110 would fill a .357 case and would get compressed under the seated bullet. It is a recommended charge, but I'd stick with Unique, which I also use (along with HP38 and Universal) for 125 grain Jacketed bullets that also require compressed loads of H110. It may be OK, but I don't like the idea at all, so I don't use it. Just my opinion.

Yep, was just reading elsewhere about "compressed loads" and that doesn't sound like a good idea at all. Will just use the Unique. Thanks much, CT!

[BigAl52]

Agree with CT. I as well have all of those powders on hand. My HP-38 is Winchester 231. Not exactly the same but real close. I would use H-110 for 158 grain bullets you are wanting to hunt with and even then Im not fond of that powder as its wide open or nothing at all with it. Another reason I like the 2400 better. Just my .02 worth.

[Bugs]

I started using Alliant 2400 for my .357 loads with a 158gn bullet per Al's recommendation and have not looked back. 14.5 gn's 2400 is accurate and the recoil from the Big Boy is nothing with this load.

[Rifletom]

Yes, 2400 is a superb powder for the .357/158 XTP combo. Speaking of 2400, I scored on 2-1lb cans of some Hercules 2400!
Square, metal cans with a metal sealed cap. These things are so neat looking. Guy said he's had them stored for a while in his house. They look new. If anyone wants to see 'em, I can e-mail a picture. I'm not too clever at posting pics.