After what seems like an eternity, I finally found some 158 gr. Hornady XTP's bullets for my 357. Found them at Cabela's online. Felt like I won the lotto. Haven't been able to find any anywhere's.

Woo whoo, there'll be a hot time at the old reloading bench tonight....

I've been shooting the 140gr XTP's out of the GP100 & they do VERY well indeed, exceptionally flat shooting out to 50yds(haven't tried past that).
14gr of 2400 IIRC, though work up as always.

Moose, have you got a favorite load with the 158 grain bullets?

PaulS wrote:

Moose, have you got a favorite load with the 158 grain bullets?

Hi Paul. My favorite load for the 158 gr. XTP's is 16.0 grains of H110. These are being shot out of a Ruger Blackhawk.

I have always enjoyed moose2's entries here, but today I hate him.

Maybe it's just jealousy. I don't know.

Have a good time with the XTPs. Like English Mike I prefer the 140 grain XTPs, but now a days I'd take anything I could get.

18 to 18.5 grains of W-296 under a 140 grain XTP. Ruger 6 1/2" Blackhawk. (This is a near maximum load. Work up to it slowly and carefully).

Enjoy.

Bushmaster, I have three books that still list 19.6 of H110 as the maximum. In the Ruger you could easily go to 19.1 - it is one of my accuracy loads under the 140 grain bullet. I have never had a problem with it.

Yup...I know that, but if they load to the maximum and fire it from anything but a Ruger. I don't want them coming back on me. Hence the warning.

Besides...Can't see any reason to exceed 18.5 grains of W-296 [under a 140 grain XTP]. It gives me over 1400 fps from my Blackhawk.

sage words Bushy...you musta learnt a thing or two over the years. going faster is not always better.

Bushmaster wrote:

18.5 grains of W-296. It gives me over 1400 fps rom my Blackhawk.

Yikes Bushy, that load rates 38000 psi, 3000 psi higher than SAAMI for 357 Mag.

moose2 wrote:

158 gr. XTP's is 16.0 grains of H110

This load rates 31.5 kpsi a good load... should go about 1250 fps from 4.62 inch barrel, or 1400 fps from 6.5 inch barrel

think Bushy talking 140s??

Yikes!! Forgot to mention that I meant for 140 grain XTPs. It's been corrected.

Just in case someone reading this thinks the Ruger can handle a load like Geland noted at 38000 because the same revolver is made in a 44 magnum think again. The SAAMI max for the 44 mag is 36000. I have heard people exagerate the strength of the Black Hawk (I own one) too often in other forums. It is a strong revolver and handles stout loads in 38 and 357 as well as 45 Colt but this is because it was designed around the 44 magnum and this is its design limitation. The Bushmaster's comment regarding keeping loads safe for all guns of the same caliber is sound advice for anyone who shares loads on the web. With the plethora of rifle caliber handguns and handgun caliber rifles one has to be carefull the load is meant to be used in the firearm chosen.

And to take it a bit farther. I own a Colt SAA in .357 magnum and would NEVER use my above load in it.

Bushmaster wrote:

I have always enjoyed moose2's entries here, but today I hate him. Maybe it's just jealousy. I don't know. Have a good time with the XTPs. Like English Mike I prefer the 140 grain XTPs, but now a days I'd take anything I could get. 18 to 18.5 grains of W-296 under a 140 grain XTP. Ruger 6 1/2" Blackhawk. (This is a near maximum load. Work up to it slowly and carefully). Enjoy.

Hey Bushy. Seems like a lot of you guys prefer the 140 gr. XTP's in the 357 Magnum. I'd be curious to know why you prefer them. I do have 140 also, but I always wind up shooting them in the 38 Special.