What components should I use for GP100 357Mag?

[teddy12b]

Last night I hit the jackpot and found a used 6" GP100 just the way I wanted it for an excellent price.  Now I need to get my reloading gear set up for it.

I need:
Dies
Brass
Bullets
Powder

I've got some regular factory ammo, but I'm going to pick up a box or two of factory cast ammo to try out as well.  Any suggestions for ammo or components to use?  I would love to get this gun setup for deer hunting so no "target loads" for me.

[Questor]

You have so many options that it's kind of like asking which woman to marry. If I were in the same situation, I'd look at Hornady XTP bullets greater than 150 grains in weight, Winchester 296 powder, Winchester brass, whatever primers go with the Hornady bullet data, and RCBS dies.

[teddy12b]

I'm leaning towards Hornady XTP's (the heavier the better), I already have H110 and Rem primers.  I'll probably end up getting remington brass too just because.

I was just hoping someone would have some great GP100 load already worked up and could pass it on, or knew of a great deer bullet to use.

[LaOtto222]

If you are hunting deer, then I think the 180 XTP or a Speer 170 grain Gold Dot would be a good choice in a jacketed bullet with the Gold Dot given the nod if accurate in your gun. Have you thought of a good quality hard cast with gas checks? Get one that is heavy (180 grain+) and with a wide flat point. For self defense the 125 grain semi-jacketed Remington is a good choice. For the heavier bullets 2400 is a good choice for a very versatile powder that can get top velocities.

[Larry Gibson]

I've found the 158 gr hornady XTP/FP to be a very good deer killer out of the .357 magnum when launched from 6"+ barrels at true .357 magnum velocity. I use both 2400 and H110 for such loads in my Ruger 6" barreled Security Six. Work up to 15.5 gr of 2400 under that bullet or 17.5 gr H110, again; work up the load for your revolver. You should pull down 1450 or so fps. The Remington primers will work ok with the 2400 but you might want a magnum primer with the H110.   A good 358156 GC bullet cast of 3-5% antimony shot and hollow pointed with the 1/8" Forster hollow pointer to about half the depth of the bullet nose is a real deer killer also when driven at 1400+ fps from a 6" barreled revolver.  Good luck hunting with that GP.

Larry Gibson

[teddy12b]

Larry,
      Reading what you wrote just made my day, because I picked up 300 Hornady 158gr XTP/FP bullets yesterday along with some brass.  I'm pretty excited about this new gun and hopefully I'll be able to get out and hunt with it this year.