loading .460 with Hornady XTP

[shovel66]

I accidentally ordered 200 240gr Hornady XTP bullets with intentions of putting them on the end of 460 S&W magnum. I meant to order the XTP mag bullets, but ordered the regular. I am wondering what velocities I should keep these under to be safe and accurate. My plan was to load them with H110 or AA9 if either recipe is available. Thanks

 

[Grumulkin]

I've shot plain old XTP bullets in mine and even 200 gr. bullets meant for the 45 ACP cartridge. Despite the warnings about the terrible things that could happen by doing so, I never had a problem.

Supposedly you could shoot the core out of the bullet leaving the jacket behind in the barrel; that I highly doubt. Then there was the issue of forcing cone damage. To that I would say maybe in a revolver though I somewhat doubt that as well. Then the lighter jacketed bullets were said to perform like varmint bullets; that's quite all right with me.

 

[shovel66]

Well THANKS. I will probably not worry about it and not load to extreme max to start off with. I would figure that these bullets are of high quality enough to handle light to medium 460 loads.

 

[Rule3]

You can also load them in 45 Colt brass at lower velocity.

What length barrel to you have.?

I loaded some 200 gr coated lead bullets with longshot for a reduced load.

You could probably use the Alliant data for the 250 gr Gold Dot using Power pistol or 2400.

All depends on what powders you have.

 

[gamestalker]

The Hornady XTP #45220, which is the only 240 gr. .452" XTP bullet they show on their web site, is the XTP Mag.. They don't indicate that they manufacturer a standard grade XTP at 240 grs., other than the Mag..

The standard version XTP seems to be good up to about 1600 fps. from what I can tell by the details shown for standard grade 250 gr. XTP .452" #45200.

Other wise, if the part number on the box you have is #45220, you indeed have the XTP Mag, you can then load them any way you so desire.

GS

 

[shovel66]

These would be through the X-frame 8.38" barrel. I also just checked and they are the 250gr and not the 240gr. I just remembered that the 250gr were on sale and that's why I got them instead of the 240gr mags. It didn't dawn on me when ordering that the ones on sale were NOT mag. Bummer for me.

As to powder, I haven't really decided yet on what I will use, but don't have much on hand that will work.

And I do have plenty of .45Colt and .454 cases available to make lighter loads with these non-mag bullets if need be.
Thanks again for your input.

 

[buck460XVR]

According to Hornady, their 250 gr, .452 XTP is good to 1600 fps. To be on the safe side, I would not load them to any more than 1400 fps. I myself do this all the time in my .460 using .460 brass. I generally use brass that has been used at legitimate .460 velocities 3-4 times that I don't trust to use at those pressures anymore. You will find that at the lower velocities, accuracy, while still good, may not be as consistent as regular .460 loads and that the gun will print much differently.

I doubt that you'd be able to load down H110/W296 or AA9 safely to those velocities. I'd use something like 5744 or maybe even TrailBoss @ 90-95% of case capacity. I've used TB many times in reduced loads at those levels and gotten good performance....here's a link to how to find case capacity.

TrailBoss Reduced loads

 

[gamestalker]

Ya, thought something wasn't right, cause the only 240 gr. XTP they manufacture is the Mag.. Good thing we figured this one out, as it also identified that, not only were they velocity restricted, but that they were also 10 grs. heavier than what the OP thought they were. Could have resulted in a high pressure situation if loading 250's, with 240 data, especially full house loads.

GS

 

[buck460XVR]

Could have resulted in a high pressure situation if loading 250's, with 240 data, especially full house loads.

GS

Not to mention because of the thinner jackets used on the 250 gr .452 XTP, possible excessive forcing cone erosion, jacket separation and poor terminal performance.

 

[gamestalker]

So right you are buck460XVR, and with full house 296 loads, it might have blown the core right out of the jacket also?

GS