.357 Magnum revolver hunting load...

[Songdog]

Got a new pistol, and I need a little help with it. I’ve been shooting a rather anemic .357 Mag load (158 at 1100fps) out of my 6” barreled Dan Wesson. But, alas… I’m out of those loads… and have to find a suitable replacement load… of my own making of course. So, I’m looking for some help. I’d like to find one good load suitable for the following: vermin, coyotes (out to 70 yards or so), pronghorn, and maybe an occasional doe whitetail (probably from a tree stand) inside about 40 yards.

I killed a couple of prairie dogs with it at 30-50 yards this year, and clobbered a rabbit with it at 62 yards a couple weeks ago… so I know the pistol and I are up to it… just need a good load that will arrive with enough authority.

I’m thinking the 158 looks like the best all-around bullet weight… but I’d like to get them up around 1300fps. Anyone have any thoughts on loads or bullet selection?

 

[Songdog]

Here's a picture of the pistol by the way... Dan Wesson (model 15) .357 Magnum. Pachmyer Presentations, and the 6" barrel with heavy vent-rib shroud. Great trigger (both double and single-action) and very accurate. Shows some wear... but that's the way I like them. Plus, it was all put there by my grandfather... at times of work, and times of play... truly can't wait to clobber a coyote with it!

 

[Guy Miner]

Good looking revolver! Seems you're shooting it well too. I think you're heading in the right direction with the 158's. Too much lighter and you'll likely see lots of expansion, but maybe not enough penetration, particularly when you shoot deer. Heavier sacrifices velocity, which might be okay, but I tend to think of the 158's as a real good compromise weight for the .357 mag.

Am thinking you should take a hard look at H110/W296 for high-velocity loads. Not a good powder for reduced loads, but it works great at max & near-max levels. Hodgdon's web site shows loads from about 1400 fps to nearly 1600 fps with H110 and 158's. That may be from a sealed-breech gun rather than a revolver though, I don't know.

Guy

 

[HeathSexton]

Both my .357's shot the 158gr XTP-FP over 16.0-16.5grs of H110 very accurate.

 

[JD338]

Nice looking pistol.
H110 or W296 should get you into the 1300+ fps range.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

I'd like to get a longer-barreled .357 mag again someday. For the past twelve years or so I've only had the 2.5" Model 19. Light, handy and too doggone short for hunting.

 

[Songdog]

Thanks for all your answers... seems like the group agrees that H110 (aka W296) is the answer to my needs. I'll let you all know how it works out.

Oh... Magnum Pistol primers I assume?

 

[PJGunner]

You should also take a look at Alliant 2400. I do use W296 in my .44 mag. but for some reason I've stuck with 2400. I think the original 2400 by hercules was a little slower burning as the max load was reduced to 14.0 gr. Personally, all I shoot in my .357 Mag is a 158 gr. gas checked cast bullet of my own make using Lyman's #358156 mold. That's what I use today in an S&W M28. I have killed one Black bear with that bullet using hot loaded .38 Spl. one one decent sized hog using a .357 Mag.
Paul B.

 

[1Shot]

As you know with anything bullet placement is the key. When you move up to deer size game with a 357 mag out of a revolver bullet placement become extremely critical. It has been in my experience that keeping your shots inside 50 yards if very prudent. The hunting load out of the Sierra 4th edition manual of 16.3 grs H-110 and I use a Hornady 158 XTP HP with CCI mag primers has worked pretty well on deer size game when you place the bullet close to the edge of the back of the front shoulder broadside on a deer. I stopped using the 357 mag revolver for deer and moved on to a Contender in different calibers. One caliber is 357 mag. I use 13.5 grs H-110 with the 180 gr Horandy XTP HP and out of the 10" barrel it is doing a touch over 1400 fps which is about what a 357 MAXIMUM will do out of a 7 1/2" revolver. It kills deer out to 107 yards, which is as far as I have shot one with it, very well.

 

[Songdog]

Yeah... I figure if I treat it like a bow... I shouldn't have any issues killing stuff with it. I don't think there's too many things that can handle a .35 caliber hole through both lungs... and just walk it off.

 

[SJB358]

With that point, try some of the Beartooth Hard Cast bullets! They shoot awesome out of my 44 and I would think a big wide meplat would work well over a stiff charge of 296 or H110. I wouldn't worry about a deer wondering what happened if he was smacked by one! Scotty