Favorite 357 Mag Rifle Loads

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:17 pm

Question for all those who reload their own. What weight/style of bullet do you like for use in your 357 rifle's for maximum impact?
I have a marlin 1894 with 20 inch barrel.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:40 pm

I don't know what you mean by "maximum impact", but a Remington 158gr JSP over 18gr of Lil' Gun has proven excellent medicine on several hogs out of my Win94 Trapper. I have no doubt it'll do just fine on deer too.

I've got a 1000 or so Remington 180gr JHP I was going to load up over 15gr of Lil' Gun, but seeing as how the 158gr do so well, hadn't felt a need to.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:08 pm

I used to have a Marlin 1894CS. My favorite load for exploding things was 17.5grs of 2400 under a Remington 125gr SJHP. Vicious load. Accurate too.

Joe

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:52 pm

180 gr. cast wfn bullet over 16.0 gr. of LilGun.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:03 pm

If your not a reloader like me, this is the meat & potato
round I use.

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=151

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:28 pm

17.1grs W296 and a 158gr Rem JSP. Kills deer like lightening

2x22

Idiot · Post by **Idiot** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:35 pm

Starline brass (of late), Winchester small pistol magnum primer, 10.4 grains of Blue Dot powder, and 158 grain JHP Winchester bullet. I've used this load for well over twenty years. It will take care of whatever needs taking care of - in other words, it's my general purpose load.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:42 pm

Again, the 158 gr. Hornady XTP-FP over 18 gr. Lil'Gun or the 180 gr. Remington SJHP over 15 gr. Lil'Gun (current load of choice). The 158 gr. bulleted load will do an honest 2000 fps the 180 gr. 1675 fps.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:30 pm

J Miller wrote:I used to have a Marlin 1894CS. My favorite load for exploding things was 17.5grs of 2400 under a Remington 125gr SJHP. Vicious load. Accurate too.

Joe

Vicious on which end?

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:04 am

meanc,

Instead of saying maximum impact, I should have said the most effective for self defence purposes if the need ever arises, since I've decided to take the plunge and reload my own.

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:09 am

Hobie,

Do you think that FMJ HP's are the way to go? I've read that cast bullets should not be used in magnum calibers because they'll disintegrate and besides cause unnecessary leading of the bore?

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:49 am

UncleBuck wrote:Hobie,

Do you think that FMJ HP's are the way to go? I've read that cast bullets should not be used in magnum calibers because they'll disintegrate and besides cause unnecessary leading of the bore?

HeeHeee. Someone told you that so they could get all the deer.
Maybe they were talking the super duper magnums. Cast bullets in the 357 can be run well over 2000fps with no leading if they fit the bore.
Some 30 cal boys can run em upwards of 3000fps.
On my 357s I worked my load up to get best accuracy with an LBT style bullet and never got leading. Cast bullets, when run right, will season a bore like a cast iron skillet and never need cleaning. No BS.

A hard-cast 357 LBT-style bullet will punch a 3/4" hole that looks like a sharp needle was run through. You can eat right up to the hole.

This pic is the inside of a rear quarter after passing through about 3' of deer.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:37 am

Tycer speaks the truth. A good cast bullet of proper alloy and fit is hard to beat. There are a lot of horror stories about shooting cast bullets, mostly because people don't know what they need in order for them to perform as well as jacketed bullets.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:00 am

UncleBuck wrote:Hobie,

Do you think that FMJ HP's are the way to go? I've read that cast bullets should not be used in magnum calibers because they'll disintegrate and besides cause unnecessary leading of the bore?

Tycer's right, cast bullets are just fine at 1600-1800 fps. They don't disintergrate. Just use a gas check design. I just prefer these bullets. I'm not a fanatical devotee of the cast boolit...

(but I do shoot a lot of them!)

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:52 am

Okey Dokey... I really should have this post archived and readily accessible given the number of times I've posted it...

180gr Hard Cast WFN of choice over 15.5-16gr of LilGun (work your own safe load up please...)

Accuracy (Rossi 20", 50yds, Offhand)

110 yds:

Deer:

Damage (hit the shoulder ball-joint... lots of frag damage):

Close Range <50yds?:

Soft Tissue (lung) Damage - yes, you can eat right up to the hole. Almost no bloodshot meat:

The 70% meplat 180gr Hard Cast Gas Checked bullet at 1800fps MV is realy hard to argue with.

Though I think I may try Joe's load for Coyotes...

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:18 am

Tycer,

very impressive picture

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:21 am

Old Ironsides,

even more impressive pictures

Thanks to all for their replies & advice

Blessings, UncleBuck

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:42 pm

OI, you have me convinced. do you use wheel weights or 30:1 or 20:1 lead. Impressive. I have stopped my reloading press till I can get me some of those!!!!

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:13 pm

Air Cooled Wheel Weights.

At least 2 of us have these moulds - SteveB & I, and I also have a slightly modified design that "fixes" a COAL problem with the C358-180 crimp groove.(see Junior's page for explanation)

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:32 pm

I'm using the same mold. Air cooled wheel weights have been working fine for me too. Slight lengthing of the rim openings in the feed rails solved the feeding issue in my Rossi.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:38 pm

rjohns94 wrote:OI, you have me convinced. do you use wheel weights or 30:1 or 20:1 lead. Impressive. I have stopped my reloading press till I can get me some of those!!!!

I traded OI a couple PB pistols for some of his SUPER BULLETS.
He keeps teasing me with casting updates.

My Dillon's all set up for pounding out a bunch of his deer slayers!

jb

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:41 pm

2ndovc wrote: ...I traded OI a couple PB pistols for some of his SUPER BULLETS.
He keeps teasing me with casting updates.
My Dillon's all set up for pounding out a bunch of his deer slayers!

jb

I don't tease... just give production updates since it takes me so long...

FWIW, I'm sending a few of the C358-180RFs along with the big pile of "OI Mods" so you can compare.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:44 pm

Just jokin'

They get here when they get here. I aint goin noplace

jb

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:17 pm

I have to get one of those molds. That bullet looks like it would really fill the upper nitch I was hoping for my .357 rifle. I could really become a one caliber shooter with the versatility of the 190 grain thumper you are showing there, down to mild wadcutters for small game and plinking. I am really excited about these and I can't believe I have not seen those bullets in a post here before. What is a good source for one of those molds??

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:10 am

rjohns94 wrote:I have to get one of those molds. That bullet looks like it would really fill the upper nitch I was hoping for my .357 rifle. I could really become a one caliber shooter with the versatility of the 190 grain thumper you are showing there, down to mild wadcutters for small game and plinking. I am really excited about these and I can't believe I have not seen those bullets in a post here before. What is a good source for one of those molds??

Hey Mike,
Seems you and I are thinking the same thoughts where the 38 /357
is concerned. If you do get set up and cranking these out, I would be
more than interested in purchasing a box or two every now and then
to feed my B-92.

Mike

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:12 am

Here's what that bullet does hard-cast.
It's hard to see in the photo, but the mark is a divot, 1/8" deep with a corresponding bulge on the opposite side. That's the only shot with hard-cast and it's at 100 yds. There have been a couple hundred other shots on that steel swinger in 357, 38, 45 jacketet and cast at 25 yds.

Fairshake · Post by **Fairshake** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:35 am

The person who told that big lie about cast bullets probably cast his own and was trying to hog the lead supply. If you want to know about cast, join the Cast BOOLITS forum of which I'm a member. Go by Cajun Shooter There. They could stop making the copper jacket bullet today and it would not bother me in the least. What bothers me is the Do Gooders trying to outlaw lead weel weights for the environment. When last did you see a squirrel chewing on a WW?

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:25 am

OK Mike (& Mike) ... here's the Skinny...

We seem to do a group order from Lee for a C358-180RF mould about once a year over on CastBoolits... BUT... it's for a giagmantic 6 cavity mould and from start of "I want one" ordering to delivery can be 6 months or more.

OTOH, if you are a 1-2 cavity caster (like I prefer) it makes more sense to take the data from Junior's site: http://castbullet.com/shooting/rossi-s3.htm and plug it into the online form at Dave's site http://www.mountainmolds.com/ send about $80-$90 and have him cut you a 1-2 cavity mould to spec.

You can get a mould from Mountain Molds in about 6 weeks (if he's busy) or sooner if he's not.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:28 am

I'd be willing to loan my 6-cavity out. I need to cast a bunch next weekend, then it'll be free for a bit.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:45 pm

Tycer wrote:I'd be willing to loan my 6-cavity out. I need to cast a bunch next weekend, then it'll be free for a bit.

If things are slow you could get into the custom cast bullet business.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:11 pm

Hobie wrote:
Tycer wrote:I'd be willing to loan my 6-cavity out. I need to cast a bunch next weekend, then it'll be free for a bit.
If things are slow you could get into the custom cast bullet business.

I may have to sacrifice some of my precious WWs to do just that...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:19 pm

awp101 wrote:
J Miller wrote:I used to have a Marlin 1894CS. My favorite load for exploding things was 17.5grs of 2400 under a Remington 125gr SJHP. Vicious load. Accurate too.

Joe
Vicious on which end?

Vicious on the receiving end. There's practically no recoil. Noisy as can be though.
Anything with lots of water in it simply explodes.

Joe

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:25 pm

Hobie wrote:
Tycer wrote:I'd be willing to loan my 6-cavity out. I need to cast a bunch next weekend, then it'll be free for a bit.
If things are slow you could get into the custom cast bullet business.

I'd have to buy a Star Sizer.

There's a guy on Gunbroker selling big bullets for $14 a hundred. It takes me more than an hour to process wheel weights into ingots, remelt the ingots, cast, sort, fit the gas check, lube/size, list, answer emails, package, print postage, and mail. Does not seem worth it.

Yet.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:28 pm

OI,

How do you suppose that Lee 180 flat nosed bullet and your load would work out of a Ruger BH .357?

And if you do try that load I mentioned on coyotes please let me know how it works.
The old Hercules data claimed 1700fps or better with that 17.5grs of 2400 out of their test barrels. I "think" they were 7.25" barrels. So if they are even close to that it should be a screamer out of your Rossi. I never did chronograph any of them.

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:39 pm

I'm not sure how "safe" a 16gr/180gr load would be out of a BH... I've fired a couple out of my SP101... but still...

I'll have to buy some of those 125s...

I've been shooting 358156HPs over lighter loads of 2400, but not the 125s over heavy...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:50 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:I'm not sure how "safe" a 16gr/180gr load would be out of a BH... I've fired a couple out of my SP101... but still...

I'll have to buy some of those 125s...

I've been shooting 358156HPs over lighter loads of 2400, but not the 125s over heavy...

That 17.5grs with 125JHP load went through my old Marlin 1894CS like it was nothing. But it locks up my S&W Mdl 28. I have to pound the extractor rod to get the brass out of the cylinder. When I shoot it from my OM BH the cases just fall out.
I don't think my BH would have a problem with that 180 load as long as it wasn't over 40K PSI. Might be a hand full though.

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:02 pm

No idea what the actual kPsi is... Extracted from the SP101 OK... but that doesn't mean anything.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:36 pm

I will get one of those double molds on order. I have about 60 pounds of 30:1 ingots ready to pour. Mike, when I get a mold, I will be glad to get you some bullets pushed your way. I am so very excited about this. Very Kewl

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:23 pm

rjohns94 wrote:I will get one of those double molds on order. I have about 60 pounds of 30:1 ingots ready to pour. Mike, when I get a mold, I will be glad to get you some bullets pushed your way. I am so very excited about this. Very Kewl

Like Tycer, I'm willing to loan out my 6-banger until you get yourself (mike or mike) set up...

My custom 1 cavity is MINE though...

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:41 am

rjohns94 wrote:I will get one of those double molds on order. I have about 60 pounds of 30:1 ingots ready to pour. Mike, when I get a mold, I will be glad to get you some bullets pushed your way. I am so very excited about this. Very Kewl

Thanks much Mike.
And do take your time; there is no hurry at my end.
I am still eagerly waiting to get my Browning 92 in hand.
John (Shupps Gunsmithing) is still working on installing the
tang and folding sights. Talked to him Thursday, he said
he had to tear the gun down and put it into a gunsmithing jig.
He said something about the tang not lining up to the rest
Of the rifle. He reassured me it will be a real shooter when
He gets done with it.

Firestick · Post by **Firestick** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:16 am

You guys have me itching to start casting my own, now. Where is the best place to learn all the ins and outs?

Ira

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:28 am

Firestick wrote:You guys have me itching to start casting my own, now. Where is the best place to learn all the ins and outs?

Ira

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

Firestick · Post by **Firestick** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:57 am

Thanks for the direction you gave me OI. I learned an awful lot at the castboolit site. Here is my first production. I can't wait to load and shoot.

Old Ironsights wrote:
Firestick wrote:You guys have me itching to start casting my own, now. Where is the best place to learn all the ins and outs?

Ira
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:59 am

So, what mould/boolit is that?

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:48 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:So, what mould/boolit is that?

I second that very question.

J35 · Post by **J35** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:00 pm

Looks like the Lee 158 SWC TL to me.

Firestick · Post by **Firestick** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:41 pm

Yes, it is the TL358-158-SWC.