.357 mag Handi loads

[kmittleman]

Hi Guys,
 
I'm loading my .357 Handi up for deer and was looking for a decent load for it. The one I currently am working with is a 158gr Speer SP over 2400. I haven't Chronied it yet but it should give me around 1800fps. Is this a good combo for deer or should I try something like an XTP? I have some of those but hear that they top out at around 1500fps.
 
-Kevin

[buck460XVR]

The Speer JSP should work just fine.  In my .357 carbines I use it or the XTP-FP as opposed to the XTP-HP.

[murphdog]

You should be fine with that load.  I have no personal experience myself, but have been contemplating using a 357 next year, and many people with more experience have told me that a 158 gr soft point (not hollow point) at rifle velocity is fine deer medicine. 
Duane

[schuetzen]

The Speer manual gives the following for 18" rifle (Marlin 1894) and 158gr Speer bullets and 2400:


Max load       14.8gr   1628 fps
Starting load  13.8gr   1527 fps


Using a Marlin 1894, I got the following results with Nosler 158gr HP bullets...


14.3gr of 2400 averaged 1669 fps.
13.3gr of 2400  averaged 1535 fps