Cast 357 magnum hunting loads

[Daman]

Guys I am trying to get a load up with Red River 158 grain SWC out of a 4" revolver for deer and small hogs. I am thinking either IMR 4227 or Titegroup. What do you guys use? I will be shooting both deer and hogs less than 25 yards or else it will be with my rifle so I don't really need a 100 yard package.

[3030guy]

I use Titegroup for target loads and Blue Dot for hunting loads in 357.

[Ken ONeill]

I've used 2400 or 296 in all my .357's for many years.

[Scibaer]

my hunting load is 6.2 grains of titegroup, pushing a 158 grain swc ( dardas cast lead, blue lube ) with CCI mag primers.
this load is for my ruger vaquero with a 4 5/8 inch barrel
i have worked up loads with IMR 4227 and H 4227 and really dont care for them.
i really like how titegroup works and how it handles, as i do hp-38 and unique , although hp-38 is a bit dirty

[454Puma]

For me 15 gr W296/H110 under 158gr SWC! Not a top load but moves along at a good clip!  Very accurate out of either my BH or Marlin '94!

[OLDHandgunner]

As much as I like H110/W296 powder. My best overall load for cast 158's is 2400.

[Daman]

I put together 150 38spl practice loads yesterday. Red River 158 SWC (.358) over 3.8 grains TrailBoss in a Winchester Case using Winchester Small Pistol Primers.

I shot a couple out of my 4" Rossi 357 and they look promising. The 2 I shot hit within about 1" of each other at 25 steps (~20 - 23 yards). This load should be running in the ~740 fps range.

I am going to run 50 or so later this week to get groups at different yardages, but this may be my squirrel/coon load if accuracy stays the same as the first two I shot. I really would consider shooting a deer at under 25 yards broadside perfect shot with this load. I don't think a shoulder shot would be wise, but behind the shoulder should be fine. I will be sitting these bullets in 357 mag cases over 2400 and WSPM primers for my deer loads. I am also going to try the Hornady FTX for a deer load also.

Daman

[nova71]

I agree with OLDHandgunner, that's one of my favorite loads also. I use 12gr 2400 over 158gr hardcast lead in the Keith type bullets. I use it with three different guns and all three like it.

[wls]

I've not shot a deer or hog with a .357, but I've done several good size deer with a .45colt and .44mag using 255g and 245g lswc bullets respectively.  You might want to consider pushing that 158g pill closer to 900fps.  Just my humble opinion

[S.B.]

I prefer both 2400 and H110 or 296.
Steve

[Daman]

I've not shot a deer or hog with a .357, but I've done several good size deer with a .45colt and .44mag using 255g and 245g lswc bullets respectively.  You might want to consider pushing that 158g pill closer to 900fps.  Just my humble opinion

I will in my hunting load. These are not eve +p 38 loads. I am going to try for 1,000 fps with a 357 mag case to hunt with.

[Hank08]

2400 or AA#9-12 grs. in .38 spl. case or 13.5 in .357 case with 158 gr. cast or jacketed.
H08

[Daman]

Thanks Hank08

[RMc]

If you are going to stay with 158 grain bullets, you might want to check out the Beartooth Bullets 160 wfn.
The .28 meplat is the same size as the meplate on the original .44 Keith SWC. The flat of the bullet is the tissue destruction agent. Most .357 SWC have <.20 meplats.

[Ak.Hiker]

If you are going to stay with 158 grain bullets, you might want to check out the Beartooth Bullets 160 wfn.
The .28 meplat is the same size as the meplate on the original .44 Keith SWC. The flat of the bullet is the tissue destruction agent. Most .357 SWC have <.20 meplats.

For hunting the wfn is a very good choice. My Python always runs great with a full charge of 296 with the 160.

[kynardsj]

The Hogdgon website has that 158 over 4.5 gr of Titegroup for 1028 fps and a max load of 5.0 gr for 1108 fps. Didn't see any IMR 4227 data. That 158 gr pill would scoot over a load of Lilgun or H110.

[Mikey]

If you are going to stay with the 158 gn cast, 10 gns of Unique, 15 gns of 2400, 14.5 gns of WW296 or 6.7 of WW231.  Velocities range from 1250 - 1450 depending on barrel length. 

I prefer the 200 gn cast Keith style swc over 12.4 gns of WW296; around 1300'/sec.

[Daman]

I have settled in on a load with 158 grain SJHP running aroudn 1150 fps. I am getting a realistic 3" group at 25 yards with 6 shots. This will be my deer and hog load. Mostly finisher shots and back up for my new CVA Optima 209 Magnum 50 caliber.

Thanks for all the input guys.

Daman

[Tom H.]

.02$ on the old post.

Ever since I found an article in the early 90s on the lyman 358156 I have been shooting those.  165 with the gas check, it has been around since at least the 50s as the Thompson gas check bullet.
As RMc stated earlier, the flat nose is what acts as the "destructive agent". Although the flat is only .25, the bullet acts completely out of proportion to its size.  A grain below max with 2400, and the bullet clocked at 1350 out of my 6" blackhawk.
I have had good luck using it on deer, but I have only shot it out to 50 yds.   The slugs don't stay inside the deer either.  Super accurate and it definately doesn't leave you undergunned.
I think that cast performance has a similar bullet in the same weight range if you don't cast.

Cheers and happy New Year.

Tom

[Daman]

I actually sold the 357 mag pistol that I was loading this for (guy wanted a lot worse than I did) and am now strictly loading 38 +p in my S&W and Colt Diamondback. I am running XTP's and Gold Dots and Hard Cast WFN all b/t 140 and 160 grains up around 925 fps. I will not list loads and these velocities may not be safe in your gun.

Fortunately these two 38's are used very little other than with light target loads. I carry the Colt as a back up when hunting if I am not toting my Ruger 22.

These loads are very accurate from both guns and I truly appreciate all the advice I have found and received here on loads.

Safe Shooting,
Daman