Deer load in .357 Handi?

[schoolmaster]

I just purchased a new .357 handi and am considering using 158 Gold Dot bullets for deer hunting. I plan to reload and have Lil'gun and 2400 powders, 100 new Starline cases, small pistol mag and small rifle primers. With top loads of either 2400 or Lil'gun what kind of velocity can I expect out of the 22" barrel and with a properly placed bullet what is the effective killing range of the 158 GD?

[Graybeard]

If that's a JHP as I think it is that's not the wisest choice. Jerry Lester our resident .357 Magnum deer hunting expert uses the Remington 158 JSP in both handguns and rifles on deer and says it has performed better than any other bullet for him in the 50+ or so deer he's taken with the .357 Magnum.

[schoolmaster]

Yes the Speer Gold Dot is a jacketed hollow point that has the jacket bonded to the core. However who am I to argue with the experience of 50+ deer taken with the Remington 158 jacketed soft point? How far has he killed them and what reloads does he use if any?

[quickdtoo]

Here's a previous thread with some velocities.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,150053.0.html

[Badnews Bob]

I would stay away from hollow points, The 158 rem sp that GB mentioned work very well but I prefer 180gr LBT style bullets, The big 180s just truck right on thru whitetails. I remember velocities right off but the same bullet out of my .357 Max cruises @ 2000FPS and its big medicine for deer inside of 125 yards or so.

[cwlongshot]

I also prefer the 158gr in the MAG for deer. I feel the 180's just eat up too much powder cap.
 I have had excellent results with Hornady's little used 158XTP FP bullet. Good expansion and thru and thru penetration on the 3-4 white tails I have shot with it. I LOVE the 180's for the MAXI, but that's a different thread.

Hornady includes a nice little vel chart in every box. If you read it you will notice the HP's work at much lower velocities then this FP. Making the FP TAYLOR made to the velocities attainable in a carbine/rifle chambered for the 347Mag.

I also like the GD line of bullets, but haven't shot any game with the 158GD. I agree with others here and would not choose a HP for use on deer with the 357, be it mag or maxi.

[E Rex B]

Don't shoot rifle, however I find no need for magnum primers to set off 2400 powder.  If the hammer strike is good and hard, the standard rifle primers would be just fine.  For the son-in-law's 28 Smith I loaded 158 grain Hornady xtp HP bullets witn 14 grain 2400 and standard primers.
Rex

[cwlongshot]

Don't shoot rifle, however I find no need for magnum primers to set off 2400 powder.  If the hammer strike is good and hard, the standard rifle primers would be just fine.  For the son-in-law's 28 Smith I loaded 158 grain Hornady xtp HP bullets with 14 grain 2400 and standard primers.
Rex

 Unless you just miss typed, you shouldn't be using small rifle primers in the 357mag.
  Small PISTOL magum primers do not have to be used with 2400, With older lots I preferred them as I got a lot of unburned powder without them. But the newer lots burn cleaner and I find I don't require mag primers.

CW