hunting bullets for the 357max and some more questions?

[jeff223]

i have some load data for the 357max and they list 1998 fps useing ACCUR 1680 and a 158gr bullet.with a 170gr bullet they show 1962 fps and nothing for a 180gr bullet.for the 180gr bullet they show a load useing H110 and the fps is just under 1700.my plan is to use a 180gr bullet of some kind for deer hunting and im sure that is a good choice but there are many more bullets out there in 158gr.

i dont know how long of barrel they used for this data,mine is a 12 barrel and here are my questions

1.what kind of speed can i expect out of a 12 inch 357max with a max load?

2.what bullet do some of you guys use for hunting with the 357max?

3.what grain bullets do you prefer for hunting 158,170 or 180?other?

and if you would like to share some of your pet loads please do so.

i do know i must work up a load for this gun and i sure hope the gun will handle a max load

please and thankyou,
jeff

[Majbg]

confusing isn't it. Took me a while to figure it out too.   I use the 180 Hornady SSPB.  The TC reloading book has several loads for different wt bullets.  I'm sure someone can help you out with this.  Also, go to sixgunner.com and read Paco's back issues if you haven't already.  he has a article on the 357 max and, although his loads are stout, they work wonders in my 12" hunter.  That should answer ~95% of your questions.  I think he even address the lighter bullet issue.  I personally don't like bullets lighter than 180 becuase you don't gain as much as you lose.  There is a 150 gn bullet (Rem?) that was made for the 35 rem that would be a good choice for deer.  Suppose to hold up very well at the higher velocities, but i've never tried them.  180's do fine out of my pistol at 1800+, a good 150 yd+ round and real easy to shoot and hit.  I'm using a 2x7 TC scope.  Do a search in this forum for "357 Max" and you'll find alot of other useful information.  Remember to take the advice of others at face value, work up you loads and have fun.  Pacos work for me and I shoot my Max a fair amount, but don't want to reccommmend specific loads for safety reasons.  Its a great round, probably my all time favorite, most useful for me.  Just came back from a TX deer hunt with it.  Saw nothing I wanted to shoot (full moon) but did get a chance to shoot it some more.  Good Luck   bg

[Reed1911]

I've had great sucess with the 200 and 220g PSP bullets. You can use FP or RNSP bullets just fine. But you might as well take advantage if the BC from the Spire pointed type bullets.

The T/C book lists the following (I'm assuming you are using H110 there are many other suitable powders):
180g Nosler HP - H110 Max 20.5 1730FPS 10.5" BBL
180g Sierra FP  - H110 Max 21.5 1800FPS 14"BBL
200g Sierra RN - H110 Max 21.9 1700FPS 14" BBL

[jeff223]

thanks for the replies

i think the H110 is the way to go and i like the idea of getting away from the standard pistol bullets.round nosed or spitzer bullets would be great

[Gregory]

jeff

I'm loading the Hornady 180 XTP over 20 gr of W296 (same as H110).
Out of my 10" barrel TC, I get 1620 fps over my chronograph.  I've taken two small deer with this load.

[MF]

Hornady 180 grain SSPB in front of 20.5 grains of IMR 4227 is my hunting load. The H-110 had more me and vel but 4227 was more accurate. My .02. Mike

[Catfish]

I`ve yet to take a deer with my .357 max., but I can tell you not to use Serria bullets in it. I love Serria bullets and use more of them than anyother brand, but their .357 bullets are just to soft for the .357 max. unless you hunting groundhogs. I hit a big doe in the shoulder joint thinking that I would take out both shoulders and her heart. The bullet failed and I took out 1 shoulder joint. Her leg was laying over her back when she wheeled to run. I jumped her again with a .44 mag. in hand, but she was 150 yrds. out befor I could get a shot off and 3 legged deer can run as fast as 4 legged deer. I spent the rest of the day chaceing her and never got her. I now have some .158 XTP bullets loaded for it but haven`t shot at a deer with them yet. I load for .357 mag., .357 max., .44 mag., .45 LC, .454 and .500 S&W. as well as a large number of rifle rounds. For that resaon I have settled on 2 powders for handgun loads, Bullseye for reduced loads and Win. 296 for hot loads. Both of these powders have shot well in the many guns my reloads have been fired in over the years. The main reason I settled on the Win. 296 is it gives you higher velosities with lower presures.

[EdK]

I`ve yet to take a deer with my .357 max., but I can tell you not to use Serria bullets in it. I love Serria bullets and use more of them than anyother brand, but their .357 bullets are just to soft for the .357 max. unless you hunting groundhogs. ... I now have some .158 XTP bullets loaded for it but haven`t shot at a deer with them yet.

The 158 XTP hollowpoints should be equally good for varmints - not deer. I shot two hefty porcupines with those this summer: turned them inside out - yuck. If you're talking flat points they may do better but I'd test them on something less critical than deer first.

I like both the Rem 150 SP (designed for the 35 Rem) and the Hornady 180 SSPB.

[raynor]

Hey Jeff,

Take a look at the 180 grain Nosler Partition.

http://www.nosler.com/partitionhg.html

[Catfish]

EDK
   Took a deer to day with the .158 grn. XTP`S. Your right, they aren`t any better than the Serria at the .357 max. velosities, but through the ri, liver and lungs it really made a mess inside. The deer didn`t go 40 yrads. I think I`m going to pass on all shoulder shot, if I can`t put them in the chest I won`t shoot. Big hole going out too.

[Jim S]

I use the Remington SP 150's over 22.5/H4227/ sr mag primer. I have good accuracy out of my 10" with this load but I have not shot an animal with it yet . This bullet out of my 10" 357 Herrett at 2200 was plenty deadly on hogs and deer in south Texas. I know I am looking at
250-300 FPS less velocity but I am also lookingat 100 Yards max shooting in most of the places I hunt here in SC. Hope to find out soon --so many calibers --so few deer to test them on !

[kirkwhitaker]

midway has the 180gr rem bulk bullets...my 357 mag tc loves them...and h110....i plan to have the barrel redone into a max...and will probably continue the same bullet and powder combo...gets 1350 as a mag...hope to get 1650 as a max...
kw