Author Topic: .357 Barrel...recommended hunting loads? Contender (Read 1130 times)

vonfatman · « **on:** October 18, 2005, 06:39:45 AM »

I just bought a .357 barrel for my Contender and would like to hunt deer with the gun in November.

Would anyone care to suggest a load or two I might try. It's an open sight barrel so I'll be hunting w/in 50 yards.

Thanks!!

Bob

spinafish · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2005, 02:46:20 PM »

15 Grains of Lil'Gun under the 180 grain XTP ignited by Federal mag small pistol primers..my 586 really likes this load..

vonfatman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2005, 06:01:14 PM »

spinafish,
Thanks. I've not tried that powder yet. I've read good things about it!

Bob

coopershooter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2005, 01:57:49 PM »

I USE A 185GR. WFN FROM BEARTOOTH BULLETS. WITH 16GR. OF H-110 OR W- 296. MAG PRIMERS.
I SHOOT IT A 686 S/W WITH 4 IN BARREL, AND A ROSSI PUMA, LEVER ACTION. I USED TO HAVE A 21IN. CONTENDER CARBINE BARREL THAT SHOT THEM WELL, TOO! WISH I STILL HAD THAT ONE.
I LIKE THE TERMINAL AFFECT THESE BULLETS HAVE ON DEER AND HOGS. NOT LIKE A HOLLOW POINT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT EXPAND. THESE ALWAYS PENETRATE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, AND ALWAYS! BANG THE TAR, OUT OF WHAT I SHOOT WITH THEM! I NEVER SHOT ANY ANIMALS OVER ABOUT 90 YARDS, BUT I WOULD BE OK OUT TO AT LEAST 150!
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO HUNT? AND, WHAT KIND OF SHOTS DO YOU EXPECT? I HUNT IN SWAMPY THICKETS, AND CANT SEE FARTHER THAN 50 YARDS OR SO, LET ALONE GET A FARTHER SHOT. IN THESE CONDITIONS,THE .357 IS A GOOD CHOICE!

vonfatman · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2005, 05:52:13 AM »

coppershooter,
Thanks. I'm hunting whitetail deer...I will be within 50 yards for a good clean kill.

I'll check out those bullets! I have both H-110 and 296 on the shelf.

Bob

Sixgun · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2005, 12:08:08 PM »

I have been using this load in my model 92 rossi carbine and I think it should shoot very good in a 10 inch 357mag barrel.

I use an RCBS 180-357-sil, which with my alloy weighs 190 gr before lube and gas check. Powder is 16 gr of Lil'Gun with a CCI Std Small Pistol Primer. Brass is R-P but I get good results with my 357s with mixed brass also. velocity is 1830fps from my 20 inch barrel.

The reason that I stopped at 16 gr of Lil'Gun is because I have to crimp this bullet over the driving band to get it to cycle through my lever action rifle. I have tried 16.5 gr and got no signs of pressure, but it was hard to keep the bullet in the case until I could crimp it, because of the compressed powder. I think that in a contender chamber you may be able to go with more powder. It may be worth a try. Be cautious and work up to those higher loads.

I used this load, the first of this month to win a Cowboy Rifle Silhouette Match. I shot a 32 out of 40 with a 20 mph crosswind gusting to 40mph. I had a very good day. It shot very flat out to the 200 meter rams of which I hit 8 out of 10.

I don't have a 357 mag barrel for my contender. I do have a 357 max barrel and have loaded this bullet in it but don't remember the load and have not had time to chrono it yet.

Let us know what you end up with.

Sixgun

vonfatman · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:33:16 PM »

Thanks Sixgun,
I'll be working loads up this week and will report what the range results look like.

Bob