Hornady XTP .30 90grain

Doubs · 10-11-2002, 11:39 AM

Thor's advice mirrors my own experiences for the most part. I'm not certain where the Numrich and SARCO replacement barrels are being made but they definitely tend to be .308" groove diameter.

Interestingly, the new-in-the-box P-38 I recently bought (manufactured in 1973) was made to original specs and I fired it last weekend using 85 grain Hornady XTP hollowpoints that measure .312". My load was 7.5 grains of WW-571 and at roughly 22 yards I had no problem hitting an empty .380 cartridge box. A gallon milk jug filled with water exploded nicely when struck with the above load.

I also sized the same bullets down to .308" for use in the Benelli B-80 which has a .308" barrel. I used the same load of 7.5 grains of WW-571 and it was also accurate in the Benelli.

WW-571 is close to AA #7 powder in characteristics and I use from 7.5 - 8.5 grains of #7 in the .30 Luger as a rule. I'd prefer to try some Vectan #9 which was developed specifically for 9mm but no one locally carries it. I used Vectan when I was in England and it's outstanding powder.

10-11-2002, 11:39 AM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	Thor's advice mirrors my own experiences for the most part. I'm not certain where the Numrich and SARCO replacement barrels are being made but they definitely tend to be .308" groove diameter. Interestingly, the new-in-the-box P-38 I recently bought (manufactured in 1973) was made to original specs and I fired it last weekend using 85 grain Hornady XTP hollowpoints that measure .312". My load was 7.5 grains of WW-571 and at roughly 22 yards I had no problem hitting an empty .380 cartridge box. A gallon milk jug filled with water exploded nicely when struck with the above load. I also sized the same bullets down to .308" for use in the Benelli B-80 which has a .308" barrel. I used the same load of 7.5 grains of WW-571 and it was also accurate in the Benelli. WW-571 is close to AA #7 powder in characteristics and I use from 7.5 - 8.5 grains of #7 in the .30 Luger as a rule. I'd prefer to try some Vectan #9 which was developed specifically for 9mm but no one locally carries it. I used Vectan when I was in England and it's outstanding powder.