.357 Bullet selection

[res308]

What would be your choice in a .357mag bullet and load for general hunting and woods use in a 6" Smith 586. That would have to cover general hunting as far as deer and hogs and of course defense applications. I know one bullet can't be the be-all-end-all, but I don't want to have to load a bunch of different loads and have to carry them all with me. Any info appreciated.

[musicman]

Do you mean factory loads, or for reloading?

For factory loads Federal has some great stuff in their hunting line called "fusion" I believe, in 357 Mag. Buffalo Bore and DoubleTap are other "boutique" mfgrs that make some cool stuff, too.

For reloading... dang... there's so much out there! A lot of folks like Hornady XTPs for penetration in hunting, but many report iffy expansion (read, not what most people want in defense ammo) Barnes makes awesome hunting bullets too, and I think they have some in .357. Most of the old dudes that have been shooting stuff for three time longer than I've been alive still seem to just like a good SWC slug of heavier weights moving at strong velocities.

You could spend the rest of your life trying to find the "perfect bullet." I'd spend a little time finding something that you like, and then the rest of that time practicing with it. Have fun!

[res308]

Thanks for the reply musicman. I should have been more clear on that point. I have been looking at Buffalo Bore 180 hard cast for hunting. I was asking about reloading though. I may just cast my own, but I've thought about some good boollits from Cast Performance or Magnus or others. Bullet style is fairly easy to decide on, but what about weight. As I've said before, I do prefer the 125 JHP's for defense, but a heavier bullet would be needed for hunting. Question is, would a 158 do, whether hollow point, soft point, or hard cast solid, or should I go on up to a 180? Thanks

[glockster157]

Some of my long time favorites

1. The Lyman 358429 Keith bullet cast with 70/30 WW/Linotype sized and lubed usually weighs in at 173,(50/50 WW/Lino is about 170). Loaded with 13.5 grains of 2400, Winchester brass, Winchester primers(I have used others with equal results but I have never used Star, I have heard it is a little thick so I would reduce and work back up to be safe). Most guns I have owned I get about 1250-1300. One other thing about this load, it is a long bullet. Some guns with short or counter bored cylinders the bullet has to be seated over the front driving band but it works fine in my 686's and GP100's using the crimp groove. If I could have only one do everything load in a 357 this is it.

2. Sierra 158 JHC over 14.5 2400, same as above, usually 1400+ fps and good bullet performance.

3. Any decent 158 cast SWC over 8 grains of Unique standard primer and case. Solid load that will turn any gun black in 100 rounds or less but is accurate and economic. Solid 1400+ fps load though with soft bullets you will lead fairly significantly so I would try different bullets and use a good one.

Edited March 1, 2009 by glockster157
spelling

[res308]

Thanks Glockster. Sounds like some good loads with the velocity and performance area I needed. I'll give them a try.