.44 SPECIAL 180 XTP reloads

[davidj]

Got a box of 180 gr XTP's in a Hornady promotion. I don't particularly care to shoot them in my Blackhawk but I do have a charter arms 2.5"pug that might work. I can't find any real data on loading these bullets. Has anyone had any success with them?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Dave

 

[dougader]

Hornady 6th Edition actually used a 3" Charter Arms revolver as their test gun for 44 Special. They used everything from Bullseye and WW231 up through Unique, Power Pistol, AA5 and HS6. They state the 180 grain HP/XTP was the best bullet weight tested in their gun.

 

[sourdough44]

I'd look to a medium burn rate powder & load them at mid+ levels for that shorter barrel. Two powders that I have I'd try are H Universal, or Win-231, others would work too. With reasonable charges you could do some interpolation if your exact bullet isn't listed. The Hodgdon site & others have free online data.

 

[onthehunt]

I use 7.3 grns H-Universal. WLP in a Starline case. Shot out of a 2.5" barrel 396NG. They have some snap.

 

[Yermo]

I load them with 5.8 gr. of Titegroup for my 4 5/8" Bisley Flattop. A little snappy, but very accurate. Not sure though if it's the best load for the snubby.