Hot hunting Loads for 77/357

A

AZ sharpshooter

New member
I just purchased a Ruger 77/357 and I am looking for some good hunting hand loads for White tail/mule deer at the 100 yard range. I'm probably going to be using the 158 JSP bullets and maybe the SIE 170. I'm just wondering what loads are working for other hand loaders. Let me know. Thanks.
 
My .357 "hot hunting loads" are from the rifle section of various manuals, and I use 2400 powder. Marlin carbine. 2200fps with 125s, 1800s with 158s.

I do not recommend 125gr JHPs for deer from carbine length barrels. They are being seriously overdriven at carbine speeds and do not perform the same as they do from pistols. (they get "explosively expansive"). 158s are also being overdriven at carbine speeds, but not by as much, and their heavier construction still gives decent performance in game.

Accuracy is more important than a handful of fps! A 1700fps load that puts bullets where you aim is better than an 1800fps one that groups like a buckshot pattern.

Every rifle is an individual when it comes to what it shoots best. Rifle A might be a tack driver with load X, and rifle B might shoot load X like crap. The only way to know what your rifle (and you) will do is shoot it and see.
 
The 170 grain Sierra is a round nose FMJ match bullet designed for knocking down steel silhouette targets. Generally, match bullets have thin jackets and are not recommended for hunting, though you can certainly call Sierra and ask what they think of the idea. I think the 158 grain Sierra JSP or 158 grain Hornady FP XTP will likely be more satisfactory. The 158 grain HP XTP, as mentioned, is only rated to 1400 fps.
 
To: 44 AMP

I'm wondering what data you are looking at to get 1800 fps from 2400 for a 158 gr. bullet. I can get 1800 fps with H-110 or 296 with various common manuals. If it doesn't violate a copyright, please let me know what manual gives those ballistics for 2400. 2400 is GREAT in my revolver with all bullet weights; maybe it would do as well in my rifle.

Thanks again.
 
To: Salmoneye

Thanks for the info. on the HN 158 FP. I was thinking about testing some of those; they are not always easy to find, and with the election 2 days away, I may be out of luck, but I'll see what I can do. Thanks again.
 
To: Unclenick

Good catch on that SIE 170; that was a "gaff" on my part, what I was actually thinking of was the SPR 170 GDSP. If I could drive it at 1600 fps or better, maybe H-110 or 296, it might be effective. In the meantime, I will be looking for some of those HN 158 FPs.
BTW, have you seen any rifle data for Alliant 300 MP?
That powder is great in my revolver for the 158 grain.

Thanks again.
 
I'm wondering what data you are looking at to get 1800 fps from 2400 for a 158 gr. bullet.
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The data I used is "old data" today, and people will tell you not to use it, because so much has "changed". But, I'm and old guy, got an old rifle, and have been using the "old" loads since they were "new". And most of my components are "old" as well.

1800fps with a 158 using 2400 may not be possible in your rifle, its a max level load, and your rifle may show pressure signs before you get there. Each rifle is different in that regard. 1700fps certainly ought to be possible.

Exact velocities will differ in different guns, sometimes as much as 100fps between different guns with the same barrel lengths.

Your Ruger bolt gun should handle loads beyond sane levels, without risk, but I cannot and will not advise it.

you can find a load doing over 1800fps with a 158gr bullet using 2400 powder, fired from a Marlin Carbine in the Speer #11 manual. If you want to try it, WORK UP TO IT, CAREFULLY!!!
 
To: 44 AMP

Thanks for the help; I'll look into the Speer #11.

The reason I bought the Ruger was so that IF I needed "hot" loads, that Mauser action would be able to take it without incident. I, also, as a reloader would not advise people to load "hot" loads, but I will work on the load for 2400, and work it up. I love 2400; it may be the best powder for the 357 magnum.

BTW, I discovered that the Speer 170 GDSP bullets have been discontinued, so I am probably going to have to stay with the 158's.I do have some of the Speer UCSP 158's. They should work fine for deer in the wooded areas at 50-100 yards.

Thanks again for your help.
 
The reason I bought the Ruger was so that IF I needed "hot" loads, that Mauser action would be able to take it without incident.
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You do not to "need" to run hot loads in a .357 carbine for deer sized game out to 100 yards. I'd be more concerned with the load that was the most accurate out to 100 yards and I'd bet that will not be a "hot" load. Bullet choice and terminal performance would also be my concern. Hornady's 158gr XTP-FP(as mentioned before), along with Speer's 158gr/170gr Deep Curls(formerly Gold-Dot) have worked well for me. I believe I would have faith in Sierra's 158 gr JSP also, they claim it gives deep penetration and is suited for medium game with heavy loads.
 
I used the Remington 158 grain soft point in the 357 max and I think it was a little overstressed. I think they would work fine in the 357 mag. I got them through Midway and I think they were a few dollars cheaper than what you can get the Hornady 158 grain hollow point
 
To: buck460XVR

Thanks for the info.; accuracy will be a primary concern. I'll run tests to get the best load. Where do you think I can get the 170 gr. Speer Deep Curl? I have not seen them advertised at the major retailers online or in the store.
Thanks.
 
Good catch on that SIE 170; that was a "gaff" on my part, what I was actually thinking of was the SPR 170 GDSP.
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Shame you didn't find some N.O.S. Sie 170 gr. JHP. They were great hunting bullets. If I find any I'll buy them if the price is decent.
 
The maximum pressure for 357 magnum with 6 rounds getting finger tip extraction and chamber walls at 0.060" thick is what created the current max average registered pressure with SAMMI at 35000 psi.

If a rifle with thicker chamber wall, single extraction, and a stronger extraction force, it can be used with much higher pressures.

The 357 mag case head is not wimpy, like a 270 Winchester case head:)

i have experimented to find the limit in strong rifles with 357 magnum 158 gr and if you pm me I will tell you about it.
 
To:Clark

Thanks for the info. I am new to the forum and so I do not know how to send a "pm". How can I get this information about "pm"? Thanks.
 
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