180gr 357mag, for rifle

Slimfinn · Jan 18, 2019

So i picked up some 180gr hornady xtp the other day and looking to load for my ruger 77/357. I didn't get good accuracy with 158 and had better luck with the 140 ftx and got thinking that i may have been trying to push the 158s too fast, the ftx with the plastic tip sits a little deeper so less powder.
Anyway going to try the 180s and see how how i do. Anyone played around with them in a rifle? I Plan on using h110.
Slim

Whitesheep · Jan 18, 2019

Hi Slimfinn, I have had some luck with 180gr Hornady JHP's, but am still testing loads. My current test set is based on 180 Hornady JHPs over 2400 and 180 Hard Cast bullets over L'll Gun. This is in my Marlin 1894c, which has proven to be accurate in the past.

I have spent more time on .44 mag loads in a Marlin 1894. Very good accuracy with 300 grain hard cast bullets out to 200 yards. Past this point the open sights are hard to use, but it can be done. I would have no problem carrying this rifle for deer in dense woods. In fact I wish I had last deer season.

gbflyer · Jan 18, 2019

We use the 180 XTP’s over 2400 powder in our Rossi 92 carbine. Love that thing. Can keep them inside 3” at 100 yards.

Slimfinn · Jan 18, 2019

Looks like i may have to try a pound of 2400 if the h110 doesn't cut it. Thanks guys

frankm · Jan 19, 2019

I ve found best accuracy with W296 ( same as H110) in my 357 model 94 occurs right at Max Charge regardless of whether 158 XTP or 180 XTP. Wont state charge weights as lots of differences in various manuals but with 158 in my 16" trapper the accuracy is at the 1700 fps range.

You got a chrono to help load workups??

1Shot · Jan 21, 2019

Not with a rifle but with a T/C Contender pistol 10" barrel. 13.5 grs H110 (Max according the my Hornady manual) CCI Mag primer and Federal case does 1400 fps and shoots five shots under 1 inch at 100 yards. Does a good job on deer out to 100 yards which is as far as I shot a deer with it.

frankm · Jan 21, 2019

1Shot, ditto that load for my carbine. My 158 XTP load is 1700 ish and have favored it just because of 300+ fps and it gets to 200 yards shooting the steel ram with more manageable elevation!

Slimfinn · Jan 21, 2019

Frankm, no chrono yet its next on my list to get.
Interesting that hornady has 13.5 as the max for the h110 and 158gr xtp. I was loading off the Hodgdon site and the have the starting load at 15 and 16.7gr max.
I was loading mine with CCI Mag primers 15.5gr h110 and Winchester brass. Maybe it was pushing too fast.

Edit: i just looked 180gr max is 13.5gr h110