Hey guys,

Heres my problem:

I have been loading some hornady xtp bullets for my .357, and have been loading them to the spec oal as given in the hornady reloading manual (1.59"). When I do this, the case mouth just barely touches the crimping groove, causing erratic crimping.

I have also heard that one should seat the bullet just far enough to leave just a sliver of the cannelure left showing. If I took heed to this advise, my cartridge would be way under the factory spec oal.

What do you guys think I should do, load them according to the book, or the other way? Please help.

thanks,
vanbuzen9

Worst case is when the bullets are seated tool long. Seating under the max length as shown in the manual is not a problem. I would go ahead and seat to the center of the cannalure and crimp there. If the cartridge chambers easily and unloads easily, no problem.

A cartridge has an official maximum OAL, and the load data should have a minimum OAL. Theoretically, you can seat anywhere between those two values. In practice, you can disregard the maximum OAL if you know it functions properly in your gun. However, the minimum OAL is critical if you are at the maximum charge. Seating the bullet deeper reduces the amount of volume inside the case and increases the pressure, sometimes significantly. But if your charge is well below the maximum charge, you can get away with seating a little deeper.

Generally speaking, the cannelure is put where it belongs. I would check the length of your cases and make sure they haven't been trimmed excessively short. .010 shorter than the maximum length is the typical recommendation.

Yes, I would use the second suggestion, nearly cover the cannelure then crimp.

Don't sweat 0.020" or so deeper.

Anyone having a Lyman 48th Edition loading manual will find on page 128 the following:

Cartridge Drawing

"This information is based on the maximum allowable loaded cartridge dimensions according to accepted industry standards."

A lot of new cases are under the trim-to length as is. .020" under max isn't too short for a .357 Magnum, although my Remington cases were long enough to trim to the standard .010". I seated the XTP's to 1.580 and they shoot just fine.

Bye
Jack