180 grain .357 loads

[Rapier]

You have the correct powder on one side, H-110. It is of course the same as 296 and is capable in the 357 of excellent velocity and excellent accuracy. But, it only shoots in two places, at its lowest and highest loading and it loves to be compressed into a solid mass, not just a little compresssion.

The XTP is, with a long barrel and a fast load, capable of getting some expansion. However time and time again on the net you will find refrence to no expansion. Due to its accuracy and tendancy to hold together the XTP is a favorite silhouette bullet.

Try this, change to the Rem RN 200gr jacketed bullet. It was designed for use in guns like the 35 remington and will expand at pistol velocities if you push it. The Trooper is a light handgun compared to others, like the Blackhawk, Dan Wesson, or Freedom Arms. It is similar to the snake but I do not believe it is as tough. The snake is a lot tougher than many would imagine. My chicken, pig and Turkey load in my snake is 12gr of H-110 which developed 1,160 fps out of an 8 inch barrel and the OAL is 1.583 or just under your cylinder length, with a hard crimp over the ogive. Oh, yes, use 205m rifle primers and brass/brass cases. A nickel case probably will not fit in the chambers due to the bulge from the bullet's base. My ram load is quite a bit more powerful and is what I use to hunt with in my Marlin 94C and my revolvers.
Ed