I'm starting to reload 357mag. I want a bullet in the price range of the hornady xtp. I want to use this reload for hunting pa deer and then I want to use the same load for my wife's carry 357. I'm not to familiar with balistics that would be ideal for both targets. I was going to reload 125gr xtp for both but heard it wasn't an ideal choice for hunting deer. Plese help.
357 mag 1 bullet 2 purposes
- Thread starter bungiex88
- Start date
I kill deer with a nice 175 gr NOE copy of the 357429 & run it to 1100fps , shoots kinda mild in my 6" full lug GP100 & feel it would dispatch 2 legged vermin just as well.
Loading hunting/SD ammo is a lot different from loading range fodder , I scrutinize every component & step to no end.
As far as jacketed goes 140 gr is as lite as I`d go in the 357 for hunting , but I lean toward heavier side & less blast/flash.
GP
Loading hunting/SD ammo is a lot different from loading range fodder , I scrutinize every component & step to no end.
As far as jacketed goes 140 gr is as lite as I`d go in the 357 for hunting , but I lean toward heavier side & less blast/flash.
GP
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I use 158 grain for both. 158XTP's over about 16 grains of H110/WW296. Run that load in my 2" ankle gun that I carry daily.
158 hard cast lead with the same charge for deer in my 6" GP100. (Just found out that load won't lead my barrel, and I will be using it next week for Missouri whitetail alternative method/handgun season.)
The lighter bullet/higher velocity is no good for deer. I would consider the 158 minimum for deer, and it works well for 2 legged critters too.
158 hard cast lead with the same charge for deer in my 6" GP100. (Just found out that load won't lead my barrel, and I will be using it next week for Missouri whitetail alternative method/handgun season.)
The lighter bullet/higher velocity is no good for deer. I would consider the 158 minimum for deer, and it works well for 2 legged critters too.
Ordinarily, I'd agree without qualification concerning the use of heavier projectiles for harvesting deer and/or rehabilitating would-be felons, but an alternative exists.
Consider using the Sierra 125gr. JSP (#8310) over 17.0 - 17.5/Alliant 2400 for both purposes. Without seeing this load in action, I'd be less enthusiastic about it, but 6 good-sized north central Texas whitetails have fallen to this load (we didn't have occasion to shoot any would-be perpetrators with it), none traveling further than 2 or 3 body-lengths when hit. It is a tough, accurate projectile that punches through the width of adult whitetails, with good, but not explosive expansion. On one of the animals dropped with this load, the bullet broke ribs on entry and "exit", coming to rest under the skin on the far side.
The load was fired from a Marlin carbine, with velocities in the 1700 - 1750 f/s range (calculated from bullet drop over a level range, from a level barrel, over a known distance), so bullet integrity at pistol velocities is a non-issue. There is a 158gr. version with the same configuration, but we didn't test it. I would expect similar performance from loads developed using it.
Consider using the Sierra 125gr. JSP (#8310) over 17.0 - 17.5/Alliant 2400 for both purposes. Without seeing this load in action, I'd be less enthusiastic about it, but 6 good-sized north central Texas whitetails have fallen to this load (we didn't have occasion to shoot any would-be perpetrators with it), none traveling further than 2 or 3 body-lengths when hit. It is a tough, accurate projectile that punches through the width of adult whitetails, with good, but not explosive expansion. On one of the animals dropped with this load, the bullet broke ribs on entry and "exit", coming to rest under the skin on the far side.
The load was fired from a Marlin carbine, with velocities in the 1700 - 1750 f/s range (calculated from bullet drop over a level range, from a level barrel, over a known distance), so bullet integrity at pistol velocities is a non-issue. There is a 158gr. version with the same configuration, but we didn't test it. I would expect similar performance from loads developed using it.
You are handloading for 2 different guns, and for two different purposes, so why the need for only one bullet?
Use the 158gr for deer. You need the pentration.
Use the 125gr for defense. The higher velocity will help it will expand better.
You can use the same powder and primers for both, even use the same die settings, differnet amounts of powder. You'll only have an extra box of bullets to contend with.
Use the 158gr for deer. You need the pentration.
Use the 125gr for defense. The higher velocity will help it will expand better.
You can use the same powder and primers for both, even use the same die settings, differnet amounts of powder. You'll only have an extra box of bullets to contend with.
ligonierbill
New member
Common wisdom is go with the 158's for deer, and the XTP is a good bullet. But I have read in a couple places of people who did well with 125's. The above mentioned Sierras sound like a good choice. Or compromise with 140's, which are readily available.
You don't mention what firearms you are using, and that might move you to two different loads. The heavy 158 loads I'm shooting comfortably out of my GP-100 would have been quite a handful in the 2 1/2" Model 66 Smith I once had.
You don't mention what firearms you are using, and that might move you to two different loads. The heavy 158 loads I'm shooting comfortably out of my GP-100 would have been quite a handful in the 2 1/2" Model 66 Smith I once had.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
I would use the 125gr XTP on deer without hesitation. I do, in fact, except in .357sig rather than Mag. I haven't shot a deer with it yet but hope to under the right conditions.
It's tough with a sub-compact Glock.
It's tough with a sub-compact Glock.
"...I want to use the same load for my wife's..." What she uses isn't your decision. She's the one who will have to sight in and practice with the ammo. You don't get a say in that.
The bullet doesn't have to be jacketed at all. A cast 158 SWC bullet will kill Bambi just as dead as a jacketed. Think under 50 yards with any bullet.
The bullet doesn't have to be jacketed at all. A cast 158 SWC bullet will kill Bambi just as dead as a jacketed. Think under 50 yards with any bullet.
The reason I'd like to use one load for the ease of punching them out fast and quick. My revolver is a Dan wesson 6.5 barrel and the wife a ruger lcr. I just figured to simplify the reloading process with 1 bullet. I'll develop the load for my gun then see how they fly out of hers and if the don't do good at typical self defense ranges then I will reconsider the 1 bullet idea.
Please don't do that. At least not for months. Start lower and work up with your wife. Too many women are scared away because men want to prove to women they can handle it. I have designated kid loads, I introduce that many to shooting.
"The sensible option for most folks is to shoot just enough magnums in the gun to figure out where they’re going, then practice with .38 Special. That’s actually a good policy for any .357, but even more so with “shoot a little, carry a lot” small- or medium-frame revolvers. Magnums can be hard on smaller guns and harder on casual shooters."
Read more: http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/ruger-lcr-357-review/#ixzz3uTsx7Ftc
I use H110 in a .357 lever for the greatest bump in velocity over the 4" but the 4" and 2" get unique, Bullseye (new to me) or 231. Something faster.
+1 for 158 gr in .357, 125 in the .38.
"The sensible option for most folks is to shoot just enough magnums in the gun to figure out where they’re going, then practice with .38 Special. That’s actually a good policy for any .357, but even more so with “shoot a little, carry a lot” small- or medium-frame revolvers. Magnums can be hard on smaller guns and harder on casual shooters."
Read more: http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/ruger-lcr-357-review/#ixzz3uTsx7Ftc
I use H110 in a .357 lever for the greatest bump in velocity over the 4" but the 4" and 2" get unique, Bullseye (new to me) or 231. Something faster.
+1 for 158 gr in .357, 125 in the .38.
No that's not my choice it's the wife's. She's not the type that hasn't shot guns. She's been around guns and shooting guns her whole life. Her favorite cartridge to shoot... 357mag. That's why she wants her own. I never push any gun on her it's all her choice. I told her if you get a 357 u can shoot 38 special but she has no intention of carrying that gun with 38 special.