Ah,come on!!!

[Ruger GP100 fan]

I finally found some 180gr Hornady HP/XTPs locally. First 180s I've ever seen,so I bought a box and tonight I began gathering data and preparing cases. The cases are all R-P because that's what I had onhand. They were all trimmed with a Lee hand trimmer to the same length(1.280). CCI550 magnum primers,and I'm using H110 for powder. At a local gun shop I wrote down Hornady's reload data for this bullet from one of their manuals(I could not find one online)as tested in a Ruger RedHawk. They call for a minimum start of 11.3gr and a maximum load if 12.5gr all seated to 1.590. Then,I went to Hodgdon's reload website to check their data. They show a MINIMUM of 13gr and a maximum of 13.5,both seated to 1.575, .015 deeper than Hornady. They did not provide the gun the round was tested in,or I just didn't see it.
What do I go by? If I use Hornady's data their MAXIMUM load of 12.5gr is 4% BELOW Hodgdon's MINIMUM,not safe according to the "not below 3% of the minimum" rule. So,with Hodgdon I'm loading more powder and seating the bullet .15 deeper. Hornady also does the numbers thing with the whole 296/H110 issue,not providing data on 296 ON THE 180gr ONLY. It's my understanding that the 2 powders are identical,are they not?:banghead:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

I've loaded a few to Hodgdon's data using 13.2gr H110,gave them a roll crimp and added pic. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[GJgo]

The Hodgon data must be "Ruger only" I'd touch one off then check the case.

Seriously though, I've had good luck with Hornady book loads for many cartridges while the Hodgon loads always are a bit hot for me. My $0.02.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Gun is a 6" GP 100. If I go with Hornady I must go below Hodgdon and Winchester's recommendations. Without buying online I simply cannot gather together the same components as either of the data books. I have a Spears and I don't want to even consider using their data due to the far lighter loads recommended there....lower than Hornady.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Does the seat put it just about in the right place on cannelure ? Hornady would have it seated .15 lower(bullet higher)

 

[GJgo]

I'd probably set my die a hair deeper so the crimp is right in the cannelure.

 

[Geogre]

nevermind, was stupid

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

I'd probably set my die a hair deeper so the crimp is right in the cannelure.

Do you mean more crimp to make it deeper into the cannelure or seating bullet deeper?

 

[Otto]

What do I go by?

If presented with data from both the powder manufacturer and the bullet maker, I always choose the bullet maker's recommendations first.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

If presented with data from both the powder manufacturer and the bullet maker, I always choose the bullet maker's recommendations first.

Please explain why. Thanks

 

[Stumper]

Powder maker's data is sometimes "generic" for a given bullet weight. If the brand/style of bullet is specified it may be different from yours. Bullet maker data is specific to their product. The Hdy XTPs are noted for different data than other comparable weight bullets due to the bearing surface and ogive shape differences from "normal".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The difference in load data is due to Hodgdon using a Nosler Partition bullet in their load data and Hornady using their XTP bullet. I will tell you I did load a 180 Hornady XTP/HP bullet with W296/H110 and I used a charge of 13.5gr. I shot them in a 4" M686 and they were STOUT. I was much more comfortable shooting them from my Marlin Carbine. There was no signs of excessive pressure in the revolver and all 6 cases dropped from the Cylinder without sticking. I also used a CCI-550 primer. I seated and crimped into the lower end of the cannelure and the OAL was 1.590" I have loaded the same bullet into the same brass and used an OAL of 1.575" and was still into the cannelure, there is that much leeway with that bullet because the cannelure is on the wide side.

 

[Walkalong]

I'd probably set my die a hair deeper so the crimp is right in the cannelure.

Yep, seat the bullets a hair deeper to get the case mouth in the middle of the cannelure. That will give a little better crimp. Looks pretty good though. Seating the bullet so the case mouth is crimped into the middle of the cannelure gives you the right O.A.L. for that bullet, regardless of what any manual says. Adjust the charge as needed if it is a good bit longer or shorter than what was used in the manual.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Thanks you guys. My plan was to try out a cylinder full today to see what the cases looked like but the the range where I went to was closed today.
As for seating depth,I'm confused as to which would cause higher pressures: !.575 or 1.590.

 

[Walkalong]

The deeper they are seated, the lower the case capacity is, and the higher the pressure is.

 

[Hondo 60]

Without buying online I simply cannot gather together the same components as either of the data books.

That's why I love Lyman's 49th & the individual caliber books from Load Books USA.
You almost always get the right combination. almost

I had the same issue with a 357 mag load.
I wanted to try the 180 gr MBC bullets.
I never did find a recipes for it.
But I found a recipe for a 180 gr jacketed bullet & just went a frog's butt hair below minimum.
It kicked pretty hard & wasn't all that fun to shoot.
So now I go with 158 gr "357 Action" from MBC.

 

[GP100man]

13grs of H-110/296 & the hornady 180xtp is 1 of the gold star loads for my 6" GPser#62.

It was like I was looking at my own notes reading your post !!

Never chronographed it but if I needed more power I`ll grab something that begins with a .4

 

[jimbob123]

I bought some 180 xtp the other day and loaded them with 13.5 h110 with a cci 550 primer.Shot a couple the other day in my gp100 and they seem fine.No signs of being over pressure.There are two crimp grooves in the bullet so i went by the length called for for the nosler .that put length into cannalure with bullet seated deepest.Was not compressing powder either.I would be more worried about going to light .13.5 h110 seems perfect from sources i found.Only loaded 5 So far but am going to stay at 13.5..JIMBOB123

 

[James2]

I know, every data source is a bit different. I don't think it matters, as long as you always follow rule #1. Start low and work up!

For me, facing the same dilema, I would go with the Hornady data since it is their bullet. I can say this with confidence because I have been loading from Hornady manuals for many years. Their data with their bullets has always been good for me.

Oh, if you can't just walk out back and try them out, I would load 5 at the starting load, 5 more a little heavier, 5 more a little heavier, bag them and label them, then go shoot.
Might save some trips to the range to find what you want.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

I just read some info on H110/296 on another forum that was very interesting. The poster was explaining why under loading this powder can cause EXCESSIVE pressures. Always wondered why I kept seeing that posted here and there and now I understand. I would copy-and-paste,but rather than risking issues with that I'll just paraphrase what they wrote:

The poster began by saying that"the powder needs to nearly fill the cavity between the primer and the bullet to avoid exposing a larger surface area of the powder to the primer's ignition. When the initial blast occurs and a proper load is in front of it,the surface area of the powder is limited to roughly the diameter of the case,but if the charge is light,the powder surface will angle off,providing a greater surface area exposed to the blast. This,in turn,will create a pressure spike because the powder is designed to burn slowly from one granule to the next in a steady burst of pressure rather than all at once,so,too LITTLE powder can cause higher pressure."

In no way am I trying to take credit for what I just paraphrased. I'm simple relaying to those that might be interested an explanation that instantly opened my eyes to this hard-to-grasp phenomena. I just could not understand how too little powder spelled unsafe pressure. Now I understand clearly. I hope this helps others just starting out with reloading as I am. The answer,as I see it,is creating a "controlled" burn. Slow and steady. Another point he made also intrigued me: Barrel length can partially reduce the dangers of overcharging. If the powder is still burning after the bullet exits the barrel,no harm done. It's just burned off in a visible flame. I'm going to have to give that one a little more thought,but it does seem to make sense.
I would also like to apologize in advance if a member here has already pointed these things out. THR is a huge forum and there is no way I could possibly have read everything written about this subject. I am not trying to take anything away from anyone what they have already contributed to THR. Just thought others may not have come across this and still struggling to understand as was I.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

A pic to emphasize ArchAngelCD's point about the cannelure on the 180gr bullet being wider than other bullets in the XTP lineup.

 

[colonelhogan44]

I shoot the 180 XTP HP over 13.5 all the time. Great load, if you're loading magnum, load magnum. If you want soft loads, shoot a .22

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

For anyone it might interest...HP/XTP cannalures left to right 110,125,158,180 . Actually,in this photo the 158gr appears to have the widest cannelure.

colonelhogan44,what col do you seat them at?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A pic to emphasize ArchAngelCD's point about the cannelure on the 180gr bullet being wider than other bullets in the XTP lineup.

Thank you "Ruger GP100 fan", you put up a great example of what I was taking about. Those are very good pictures too, you can actually see the detail on the bullets. I guess that's why they say, "A picture is worth a 1000 words!"

 

[gamestalker]

I load a lot with those 2 powders, and my experiece has been to watch for low pressures when down below minimum or at minimum charges. Lower pressures can of course result in the bullet failing to make the entire trip down the barrel, especially with jacketed bullets.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Thank you "Ruger GP100 fan", you put up a great example of what I was taking about. Those are very good pictures too, you can actually see the detail on the bullets. I guess that's why they say, "A picture is worth a 1000 words!"

You are quite welcome,ArchAngelCD. I discovered that shooting ammo on flat black construction paper works pretty good. It doesn't reflect light from the flash that always causes reflections and make details harder to see.