140 gr .357 XTP-HP

[Mr_Flintstone]

Does anyone know the operational velocity range for these bullets? The reason I ask is that I was under the impression that these were for handgun velocities of about 1600 fps or less, but Hornady themselves list rifle load data with velocities of up to 1900 fps. Hodgdon shows about 2000 fps, and I have seen a few other legitimate sources that put these bullets in excess of 2100 fps from a 20” barrel rifle. Although not quite there, that’s nipping at the heels of 30-30.

Will these bullets function effectively at these velocities? I worry about them fragmenting. I’d like to find some 140 gr JSP bullets, but so far no luck. I think they’d make a heck of a hunting round.

 

[bfalcon00]

Hornady usually lists velocity ranges on the box.

 

[Rodfac]

Per Hornady's Recommended XTP velocity chart the 140 gr XTP shows 700 -1600 fps.

I use them in my .357 Ruger and Smith revolvers but have never tried them in my Marlin 1894 CS, but based on Hornady's chart, I'd be leery of muzzle velocities greater than the above, especially for deer.

I do have a fondness for their 158 gr XTP FP (not the usual HP), which was designed for rifle velocities.. It cycles through the Marlin just fine and has proven to expand and not fragment in deer that I've shot through the ribs. Through and through penetration with ~ 1" exit holes after breaking a rib. My load for the 158 gr XTP/FP is 15.5 gr of Win 296 with Win Sm Rifle Mag primers, giving me a chrono'd 1667 fps from my Marlin's 18.5" bbl. With a 2.5 x scope mounted, this load gives me 3-shot groups of an inch at 50 yds. This is a top end load that I use only in my Marlin carbine, and should be approached with caution.

The XTP 180 grainer works equally well, but is a bit heavy in my opinion for the .357...I do like it for my .35 Rem Marlin 336 however. In Starline brass, 14.7 gr of Win 296 with a CCI Mag primers gives me a chrono'd 1682 fps. Like the 158 grainer, this is a top end load and should be approached with caution.

I'm in La Grange, NE of Louisville, hunting our farm where shots are never over 100 yds, BTW.

Best regards, Rod

 

[AJC1]

This chart

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Thanks to those that reinforced what I mentioned in the first post. I still couldn't understand why Hornady would give data that exceeded the recommended velocity for the bullet, so I decided to email them last night. I got this reply from Hornady Support this morning...

You are perfectly fine shooting it up to 1900 fps at the muzzle. The bullets max performance is typically from 1600 to 800 fps upon impact for max expansion. You shouldn't see any jacket separation upon impact of an animal.

So apparently they work best at the indicated velocities, but are capable of much higher velocities. I'm not sure if they would perform any better than a 158 gr XTP-FP at about 1700 fps, but its good to know that they are safe to use.

 

[AJC1]

Thanks to those that reinforced what I mentioned in the first post. I still couldn't understand why Hornady would give data that exceeded the recommended velocity for the bullet, so I decided to email them last night. I got this reply from Hornady Support this morning...



So apparently they work best at the indicated velocities, but are capable of much higher velocities. I'm not sure if they would perform any better than a 158 gr XTP-FP at about 1700 fps, but its good to know that they are safe to use.

I look at that chart as impact velosity, and from a carbine I think you might, be hoping to hit a little further away. The speed coming off quickly because of the very low bc. The problem with that thinking is a point blank shot made because that's what was available. Maybe the Barnes 140 xpb might work better in that senerio, I don't know.