Ok, I have a roommate with a .357 Mag. He is quite proficient target shooting with it but has never hunted deer with it and would like to hunt with me this fall. He's using a Ruger New Blackhawk with open sights. Is there anyway to scope this set up if he would like to? I will be introducing him to reloading under my supervision with this gun. What do you recommend for bullet selection for plinking and hunting? I assume the 158 gr. for plinking, 180 gr. XTP for hunting, correct? I have a .454 Casull in my Encore which I have loaded extensively for, but have no experience with the .357 mag. I see that for light loads I can use many of my shotgun powders, such as HS-6, Unique, and 700-X. I'm assuming H110 is still THE choice for stout hunting loads in this caliber, just as it is in my .454. I have confidence in his ability to place bullets, I just need to know what to put in the case for deer hunting. We are hunting Iowa whitetails at short (<50 yds.) ranges. Do I need a Lee Factory Crimp die for loading this round or does the crimp die in the standard 3-die set work ok? I've had great success with my Lee Factory Crimp in the .454, but we're trying to keep initial cost down, but the die is only $20 or less if I remember right. Ok, I think those are all my questions, if you have any answers or further suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks!
Selmer
PS Lloyd, if this post is not in line with the purpose of this forum, just delete, I've got it posted in the handgun hunting and reloading forums as well. Thanks
