110 Gr 357 "Plinkers" Just About to Give Up!

[ESquared]

I'm fully prepared for the veritable Greek Chorus of "I told you so," but I had to find out for myself whether or not these little 110 gr XTPs would be worth a darn in my 357 reloading exercises.
The target below, from yesterday is 50 rounds of said projectile, all over 9.5 grains of Unique. Other particulars are at the bottom of the target.
It's hard to explain, other than "the bullet's too light." The 10-shot groups are numbered, 1 to 5, starting at the upper left, moving clockwise and ending up in the big target in the middle.
All was as stable as could be. Except for the one group where I landed a few to make the old "ragged hole," the rest were just, well, scattered.
I've got some 125 gr, 140 gr and (more) 158 gr XTPs on order, to go along with the 50 rounds of 110 gr that I've already loaded, so I'll continue the experiment, but (and here comes another newbie "Aha!"), I've also discovered that the cost in bigger bullets is minimal, yet bigger bullets use less powder, so why am I driving myself crazy trying to make these 110s work? I guess because they were free, huh?
Yet, it was a great way (for me, anyway) to get started reloading, and I'm very happy with the processes, the set-up and the nice looking rounds.
More to come. Thanks for putting up with my escapades!

357 110 Gr AGAIN Jan 16 2019 002.JPG (111.67 KiB) Viewed 2273 times

[JEBar]

well understood .... been there .... that's why when I find a load that works, that's it for me .... no more experimentation .... no new powders, same old bullet, no new nothing .... hang in there .... you'll soon walk down to a target that will make you smile ...

[CT_Shooter]

I agree with JEBar and completely understand. I still have about 100 or so Hornady swagged lead bullets that I bought when I first started reloading and will likely never use (well maybe someday in .38s). My current combination of choice is 158 grain ZERO JHP/JSPs (much cheaper than XTPs) and a load of H110 that's just above the starting load for revolvers. At my 25 yard indoor range, they are the most accurate ammo for my BBB H006M and my SmokeWagon, so I don't experiment anymore. It's what my guns like.

[Flinch]

I've had better luck using HS-6 gunpowder when reloading with JHP or FMJ bullets. The accuracy node for both the 158g XTP and 125 XTP is around 1,300 fps for loads I shoot in my 1892 EMF Hartford. Both loads will shoot 10 shot 1-1/4" groups at 50 meters with buckhorn sights. The loads might group better if 1) I could see as well as I could 50 years ago or 2) I mounted a scope on my rifle. Neither one of the those things are going to happen.

You may have to push your 110g XTP bullets faster to get decent groups. OEM Winchester 110g Silvertips shoot decent groups out of my 1892. Ten shot groups measuring 1-5/8" Wide x 2-1/2" High at 50 meters with several shots touching. The Silvertips chronograph at 1266 fps out of a 24" barrel. I don't recommend the Silvertips for a lever action rifle, because they cause a lot of feeding problems.

I use Unique gunpowder for loading with cast bullets. My cast bullet loads are reasonably accurate between 1,000 fps and 1,100 fps. A 158g Remington lead SWC will shoot ten shot 4" groups at 100 meters with buckhorn sights. I don't have 50 meter groups with that load logged in my reload data. I have not had good results reloading JHP or FMJ bullets with Unique gunpowder.

If those are 1/2" grid squares on your target, I would say you are shooting decent groups.

[Ojaileveraction]

It's not the bullets. it's the powder.

[ESquared]

It's not the bullets. it's the powder.

Hmmm...

Okay, I'll bite: what do you suggest?

[Ojaileveraction]

I have several combinations of 2400 and Berrys plated that I'm going to test.
Unique I a powder that I'd want a big stash of if everything went south.
It works for any caliber. That doesn't mean it's the best for everything.
I'm want my rifle loads to have the highest percentage fill I can get for what I want that load to do.
I'd like an 80 percent or more but that is not always possible.

[Rifletom]

You could try 2400. Not sure how it will work with 110's. Work rather well with 158 JSP's.[XTP's]
May have to try those ZERO 158 JSP's in my .357.

[Ojaileveraction]

You could try 2400. Not sure how it will work with 110's. Work rather well with 158 JSP's.[XTP's]
May have to try those ZERO 158 JSP's in my .357.

Sierra and Speer list loads for 110gr bullets and 2400.

[Flinch]

Are the grid squares on the target in the OP 1/2" x 1/2"?

[Ojaileveraction]

Are the grid squares on the target in the OP 1/2" x 1/2"?

1inch.
Look at the .357 inch bullet holes.

[Flinch]

Are the grid squares on the target in the OP 1/2" x 1/2"?

1inch.
Look at the .357 inch bullet holes.

Ok, the center diamond looked like the typical 3" diamond we use for zeroing at 200 yards. If the squares are 1", I can understand his concern about the groups.

Unique gunpowder's burn rate may be too fast for jacketed bullets fired through a barrel longer than 8-3/8". I would try slower burning gun powder for loading .357 cartridges to be fired in a rifle.

[ESquared]

Can anyone give me 2-3 examples of what specific powder would be in this "slower burning" category and might therefore be more suitable for these 110 gr XTPs?
As you all know, I'm new at this, and I'm willing to do my own investigating, but this seems to be a very specific situation (light bullet, long barrel, 357 mag), so I'd just like to not have to start at Square One.
If nobody knows, that's okay, too. I can go "off the reservation" and poke around at some of the other forums, but I'd rather not!

[CT_Shooter]

Can anyone give me 2-3 examples of what specific powder would be in this "slower burning" category and might therefore be more suitable for these 110 gr XTPs?

ESquared, for powder recommendations, I'd stick to the manuals first from bullet manufacturers, then from powder manufacturers for reliable load data. However, this chart will give you some information about fastest to slowest burning powders that may or may not be helpful.

https://www.bevfitchett.us/ballistics/t ... chart.html

[CT_Shooter]

For 110 grain XTPs, Hornady's Ninth Lists:

Power Pistol start 8.5 ; max 10.4
VIHT N- 105 start 10.7; max 12.3
Accurate No. 7 start 11.0; max 12.4
Accurate No. 9 start 12.6; max 14.8
VHIT N-110 start 14.7; max 17.3
Alliant 2400 start 15; max 18.8

Can anyone give me 2-3 examples of what specific powder would be in this "slower burning" category and might therefore be more suitable for these 110 gr XTPs?
As you all know, I'm new at this, and I'm willing to do my own investigating, but this seems to be a very specific situation (light bullet, long barrel, 357 mag), so I'd just like to not have to start at Square One.
If nobody knows, that's okay, too. I can go "off the reservation" and poke around at some of the other forums, but I'd rather not!

[Ojaileveraction]

Not the sharpest picture but it can be read.

20190118_174635~2.jpg (123.74 KiB) Viewed 2082 times

[ESquared]

Thanks for both of those above. The Lyman manual point to Alliant 2400 as the most accurate, actually. Now I need to cross reference the other 357 loads, and the other calibers I'll be loading to see if there's any other call for 2400. Doesn't seem to make sense to buy powder to shoot a finite number of free bullets but then have no other use for it, huh?
Just goes to show, there's no such thing as free!
If any of you are loading 357 and using 2400, let me know -- I'll send you some free 110 gr XTPs!

[Ojaileveraction]

Thanks for both of those above. The Lyman manual point to Alliant 2400 as the most accurate, actually. Now I need to cross reference the other 357 loads, and the other calibers I'll be loading to see if there's any other call for 2400. Doesn't seem to make sense to buy powder to shoot a finite number of free bullets but then have no other use for it, huh?
Just goes to show, there's no such thing as free!
If any of you are loading 357 and using 2400, let me know -- I'll send you some free 110 gr XTPs!

Those 2400 reloads I've got waiting to try are 125's, 158's and 180's.

[Cofisher]

I loaded, and fired several different loads of 2400. However, I have no interest in the 110 grain. I will shoot strictly 158 grain with my Henry. That seems to be the best hunting load, and therefore my greatest interest. I had good results with the 2400, but have moved on to H110.

My efforts are aimed at a consistent impact between 50 and 100 yards. The practical range of my rifle.

I am using the Zero 158 grn bullets for practice, and will load the Nosler 158 grn soft/hollow point for hunting.

Good luck with your search for a plinking load.

[ESquared]

Cofisher,
Have you found a sweet spot for the H110 and the 158s in terms of grains?