Hornady XTP .30 90grain

MarkC · 10-11-2002, 10:20 AM

Anyone have load data for these bullets? I just purchased a NIB (new in box) Interarms import Mauser .30 Luger with a six inch barrel. I use mostly Alliant powders and have several different types in my reloading room.

Thor · 10-11-2002, 10:28 AM

i would slug that barrel before I started handloading for it. Most Numric Arms replacement barrels are going .308" and most vintage (1920s) barrels are going .311" It would be good to know what yours is.

MarkC · 10-11-2002, 11:03 AM

I plan to do that soon but want to see if the .308 bullets will work since I purchased 100 bullet heads with 100 unfired Winchester cases. The Interarms Luger is recent manufacter and believe it or not was very accurate with Fiocci .30 but $18.00 a box is a little rich for my blood. The ammo had no misfeeds and cycled the toggle just fine.

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.

one gunner · 10-12-2002, 09:27 PM

To Doubs:

[quote]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 <hr></blockquote>

I am curious. How excactly did you size these jacketed bullets down from .312 to .308. Did you use a cast bullet sizing & lubricating die or did you use a jacketed bullet sizing die? Who made the die?

unspellable · 10-13-2002, 06:32 PM

If you have a 0.308 inch 90 grain bullet try 4.4 to 4.6 grains of Unique in the Interarms as a starting point. Yhey seem to have a softer recoil spring than vintage 7.65 Lugers. This load is mild enough that OAL will not be too critical for pressure.

The overall length must be such that the cartridge lower rear edge rests on the cartridge below, the upper rear edge rests against the magazine and the lower part of the nose rests on the magazine with daylight between the sides of two adjacent cartridges. If they are short enough for the full length of the cartridge sides to be in contact with each other you are likely to get magazine hangups.

In the 9 mm I had a case where a large hollowpoint with sharp edges would drag on the magazine. Watch out for that sort of hangup.

In general, the 7.65 likes its powder to be a trifle slower than the 9 mm does.

MarkC · 10-14-2002, 07:04 PM

Unspellable,

Thanks for the info it really helps....

What do you think of 3.5 grains of Bulleseye? Any more accurate? I find the smaller grain powders to meter better in a progressive press.

Mark

Doubs · 10-14-2002, 09:46 PM

[quote]Originally posted by one gunner:
<strong>To Doubs: I am curious. How excactly did you size these jacketed bullets down from .312 to .308. Did you use a cast bullet sizing & lubricating die or did you use a jacketed bullet sizing die? Who made the die?</strong><hr></blockquote>

One Gunner, I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner but I just now saw your post.

I take the bullet down in two steps of .002". I use a Lyman Lubri-Sizer and .310" cast bullet sizing/lub die. Then I change that out to a .308" die. It works quite well and by using small steps the force necessary isn't excessive.

unspellable · 10-15-2002, 07:56 AM

The 7.65 mm Parabellum cartridge likes slower powder than the 9 mm. With Bullseye I suspect you will run into the pressure limit before you get the velocity up to where it should be. Winchester 231 is also a bit fast for optimum results in this cartridge.

10-11-2002, 10:20 AM	#1
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Hornady XTP .30 90grain Anyone have load data for these bullets? I just purchased a NIB (new in box) Interarms import Mauser .30 Luger with a six inch barrel. I use mostly Alliant powders and have several different types in my reloading room.

10-11-2002, 10:28 AM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	i would slug that barrel before I started handloading for it. Most Numric Arms replacement barrels are going .308" and most vintage (1920s) barrels are going .311" It would be good to know what yours is. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

10-11-2002, 11:03 AM	#3
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	I plan to do that soon but want to see if the .308 bullets will work since I purchased 100 bullet heads with 100 unfired Winchester cases. The Interarms Luger is recent manufacter and believe it or not was very accurate with Fiocci .30 but $18.00 a box is a little rich for my blood. The ammo had no misfeeds and cycled the toggle just fine.

10-11-2002, 11:39 AM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 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.

10-12-2002, 09:27 PM	#5
one gunner User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	To Doubs: [quote]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 <hr></blockquote> I am curious. How excactly did you size these jacketed bullets down from .312 to .308. Did you use a cast bullet sizing & lubricating die or did you use a jacketed bullet sizing die? Who made the die?

10-13-2002, 06:32 PM	#6
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	If you have a 0.308 inch 90 grain bullet try 4.4 to 4.6 grains of Unique in the Interarms as a starting point. Yhey seem to have a softer recoil spring than vintage 7.65 Lugers. This load is mild enough that OAL will not be too critical for pressure. The overall length must be such that the cartridge lower rear edge rests on the cartridge below, the upper rear edge rests against the magazine and the lower part of the nose rests on the magazine with daylight between the sides of two adjacent cartridges. If they are short enough for the full length of the cartridge sides to be in contact with each other you are likely to get magazine hangups. In the 9 mm I had a case where a large hollowpoint with sharp edges would drag on the magazine. Watch out for that sort of hangup. In general, the 7.65 likes its powder to be a trifle slower than the 9 mm does.

10-14-2002, 07:04 PM	#7
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Unspellable, Thanks for the info it really helps.... What do you think of 3.5 grains of Bulleseye? Any more accurate? I find the smaller grain powders to meter better in a progressive press. Mark

10-14-2002, 09:46 PM	#8
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	[quote]Originally posted by one gunner: <strong>To Doubs: I am curious. How excactly did you size these jacketed bullets down from .312 to .308. Did you use a cast bullet sizing & lubricating die or did you use a jacketed bullet sizing die? Who made the die?</strong><hr></blockquote> One Gunner, I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner but I just now saw your post. I take the bullet down in two steps of .002". I use a Lyman Lubri-Sizer and .310" cast bullet sizing/lub die. Then I change that out to a .308" die. It works quite well and by using small steps the force necessary isn't excessive.

10-15-2002, 07:56 AM	#9
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	The 7.65 mm Parabellum cartridge likes slower powder than the 9 mm. With Bullseye I suspect you will run into the pressure limit before you get the velocity up to where it should be. Winchester 231 is also a bit fast for optimum results in this cartridge.