I've been looking for loads for 155 grain Hornady XTP JHPs with Power Pistol powder. I got a ton of them as a rebate from buying Hornady products. I did thorough powder company data, loading manual and internet reading research for loads. My goal was 1,400 fps with this bullet. I loaded some test loads this weekend and was able to test them this Memorial Day morning before the rain started. All are within published book loads.
Test pistol: Glock 20SF with 5" KKM barrel and 22lb ISMI recoil spring
Conditions: 75 degrees, overcast, humid, breezy
Chronograph: Shooting Chrony 10-12 feet (no error readings today)
Load Components:
Starline Brass
155 gr Hornady XTP JHPs
CCI 300 LPPs
1.255" OAL, light taper crimp
Note: All loads were hand-weighed on a digital scale. 10 rounds of each load tested.
9.0 grains of Power Pistol:
Avg: 1,342 fps
ES: 46
9.5 grains of Power Pistol:
Avg: 1,384 fps
ES: 41
10.0 grains of Power Pistol:
Avg: 1,404 fps
ES: 71
10.0 grains of Power Pistol in Glock 29 3.8" KKM barrel (3 rounds tested)
Avg: 1,316
ES: 33
Analysis: 10.0 grains of Power Pistol easily reached my target velocity of 1,400fps. Recoil was pronounced but made me laugh. All test ammo fed and ejected flawlessly. No excessive pressure or distress signs on brass. Primers looked normal. No unburned powder. Accuracy was not officially tested but seemed great. Any of these powder loads would be great for 155 gr XTPs, depending on goal.
I've read several threads and seen YouTube video tests that say 155 grain bullets do not penetrate well in FBI type tests. I'm not sure of the best use for this weight of bullet. I prefer 180-200 grain bullets.
I'd appreciate any helpful insights and advice. Anyone have similar results?
10mm-Admirer Thanks for your range reports... 8)
I'm did some load development with the exact same components and powders as you did at about the same time it's crazy. Powder, bullets, primer, cases everything was the same as your testing. I loaded the 155 grain XTP's with 9.2, 9.5 and 9.8 grains and shot them out of my G29 with 6" barrel. I have a chrono unfortunately I don't have anywhere to set it up right now so your results are extremely helpful. Although the velocity going from 9.2 to 9.8 grains didn't increase very much according to your data I did notice accuracy improved as the powder charge increased. 9.2 grains gave me unimpressive accuracy at 10 yards, 9.5 grains reduced the 5 shot groups to about the size of a to softball and 9.8 gave me nice baseball size groups. I really like PP in the 10mm, next up is Hi Skor 800X of which I found some at a gunshow yesterday and I'm anxious to try it with the Zero 180 grain bullets I also picked up at the Novi gunshow.
Be careful with that 800x. I believe it is temperature sensitive. Some loads that showed no pressure signs and were ~1320fps on a mild day were scary and 1400 fps on a hot day.