.357 advice

[filmjunkie4ever]

I’ve not done much handloading for my handguns and what I have done has mostly been done with volume being the focus rather than precision.

My question is, what would you handload or buy over the counter for a GP-100 with a 4” barrel in .357 Magnum? This pistol shoots excellent with the Remington 125 gr JHP .38 Special +P loads but I’m wanting something with a bit more muscle behind it. I’ve looked at Buffalo Bore, not sure I need that much extra spit but a good quality bullet in the 158 grain range that could be used for black bear from handshake to out to 50 yards or so if need be.


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[truck driver]

If I were looking to shoot a bear with a hand gun the 357 mag wouldn't be my first choice But if your determined to use it go with the Buffalo bore ammo.

 

[26NosFan]

So for this purpose I would go up to a 180gr. the federal Vital Shock swift A frame BJHP, 1130fps 510 ft lbs fits the bill. If I was using a 158 I would want the extra "spit".

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Bought some 158 grain JSP Federal factory loads. They shot really well. I’m not taking this handgun “Black Bear Hunting.” This is a literal just in case kind of a gun. Thanks for your input.




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[26NosFan]

Those are no slouch coming out at 1240fps. my 6" 686 likes them very much. Accurate consistent and surprisingly clean.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Those are no slouch coming out at 1240fps. my 6" 686 likes them very much. Accurate consistent and surprisingly clean.

My GP-100 also really likes them for the same reasons!

 

[300 H&H]

This is a load I shoot in my Marlin 1894C 357mag and has shot well in a Ruger Blackhawk 357mag too.
Federal cases
Federal GM200M primer
16.0grs of H110 powder
Speer 158gr. SP bullet seated at 1.580" COAL
Heavy crimp with Lee Factory Crimp Die.

 

[Brinky72]

I’ve used Winchester 158 grain on deer at reasonable distance with good results. As in all dead that I shot and about 10-30 yards. Speer made a 170 grain FP gold dot a few years ago that was really good but haven’t been able to find it for awhile. I plan on doing some serious loading for my 357 here soon and plan on getting some hard cast bullets with the widest meplat I can find on top of a full charge of N110. For bear I’d feel better with a 44 Mag. I took a decent sized blackie with a 44 Mag tracker and 240 grain JSP without issue.