Lee dies and Hornady XTP bullets

[Gravedigger56]

I use the Lee 4-die carbide set for my 9mm. So far all I have ever loaded was 115gr. Hornady FMJ RN bullets. I'm bored with them! I recently picked up 500 Hornady 124gr. XTP bullets that I want to use next. Is there anything I need to know before I start? I assume the seating and crimp dies will work, but is there any fine-tuning I should do too get good consistent seating results?

I've heard so many good things about the XTP bullets and I can't wait to start reloading with them. Thanks.

 

[Rule3]

The load just fine like any other bullet does. I have used many of them in many calibers, no special seating stem required.

 

[Conservidave]

The XTP is a great bullet in the 9mm so hopefully you'll find new enthusiasm. Nothing special to do for seating, your guns chamber will likely determine the OAL for you so be sure to plunk test. I use hornady dies and have found that i rarely have to expand/flare or crimp with most brass.

 

[CZ9shooter]

If you use mixed bass, with varying neck tension, it is likely that you will see small variations in seating depth when using the standard 9mm seating die. RN plug on a TC bullet. It shouldnt be too big a deal. Sorting brass will help. Or better yet, get a custom seating plug, or make your own.

 

[gspn]

I use Lee dies with XTP Mags for my .460 S&W...they work great...no special requirements. I've had nothing but very accurate results.

 

[Gravedigger56]

Great to hear. Thanks guys.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd grab loading data directly from hornady. It's free on their website.

They're the best thing going for my magnum calibers from accuracy to performance on game.

It's nice having your most accurate load also a great hunting round, simplifies things!

 

[gotboostvr]

Also, I use alot of Lee pistol and rifle dies (and RCBS, and Hornady).
They work just as well as anything else, just be sure to readjust for seating depth and crimp for the new bullet.
I highly recommend both XTP's and Lee products

 

[rsrocket1]

I loaded some 115g Hornady XTP bullets a few weeks ago and noted that I don't need to expand the cases like I do with lead bullets. Just a little flare to start the bullet. Too much case expansion leaves you with bullets that pull out with your fingers and get set back by 0.005" to 0.01" (or more) when you chamber them!

After a short flare, just let the bullet expand the case by itself, then close the flare with a very light taper crimp. But if you've used the 115 XTP's, you already know that.

 

[GBExpat]

FWIW, I don't flare the cases in which I am going to seat jacketed pistol bullets (like the XTPs), I have almost always found the light chamfer that all cases get to be enough.

Plated bullets (e.g., GoldDots), otoh, need at least a tiny flare to avoid the case mouth periodically cutting thru the plating.

 

[gamestalker]

I load more XTP's than any other jacketed bullet, with the 124 gr. 9mm of no exception. It's just slightly different than loading a rimmed cartridges, but other than that, it's just straight forward jacketed bullet loading. I might add that when loading rimless cartridges that neck tension, or the lack there of, is something to always keep an eye on. 9mm is already a high pressure cartridge, so it wouldn't take much set back to become extreme.

But other wise, just bell the mouth a tad, seat to desired or published OAL, if which there's lots out there for th XTP, then just wave a breath of crimp over the case mouths, and yer done.

You didn't mention what powder you plan to load, but it sure would be a shame to load such a great bullet with anything less than a fully worked up charge of Longshot. But CFE Pistol, HS6, Blue Dot, Auto Comp all are decent performers also.

GS

 

[Gravedigger56]

You didn't mention what powder you plan to load, but it sure would be a shame to load such a great bullet with anything less than a fully worked up charge of Longshot. But CFE Pistol, HS6, Blue Dot, Auto Comp all are decent performers also.

I currently have open bottles of Titegroup, W231 and Power Pistol to use up with some bottles of BE-86 in reserve. I have so far had good results with all three using the 115 FMJ RN. The W231 is primarily used for my finicky Kimber .380 auto because of it's clean burning

 

[CZ9shooter]

My most accurate 9mm loads are 124gr XTPs with a stiff dose of Power Pistol.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I load more XTP's than any other jacketed bullet, with the 124 gr. 9mm of no exception. It's just slightly different than loading a rimmed cartridges, but other than that, it's just straight forward jacketed bullet loading. I might add that when loading rimless cartridges that neck tension, or the lack there of, is something to always keep an eye on. 9mm is already a high pressure cartridge, so it wouldn't take much set back to become extreme.

But other wise, just bell the mouth a tad, seat to desired or published OAL, if which there's lots out there for th XTP, then just wave a breath of crimp over the case mouths, and yer done.

You didn't mention what powder you plan to load, but it sure would be a shame to load such a great bullet with anything less than a fully worked up charge of Longshot. But CFE Pistol, HS6, Blue Dot, Auto Comp all are decent performers also.

GS

Hey don't forget 3N37. That's my all time favorite for this bullet. It's very tough to beat for both accuracy and top velocity with the 124gr XTP.