blpenn66502
I am looking for the 357 Mag/Max bullets not the rifle (should have clarified that) bullets. I have a supply of the 170 gr Gold Dot Soft Points and am looking for some 180 gr bullets now, I know Remington made them at one time. Thanks.
Steve E........
Steve,
I too have been down this road before.
If your looking for a hunting bullet, and your NOT using a revolver. I have been shooting game with these calibers, from Contenders and rifles, for some time. Before choosing it as a hunting bullet, I have shot hundreds into water jugs and wet phone books testing them.
I find that all hollow points over expand at rifle velocities. (Sans the 180 XTP HP. I wish they offered a FP version for the maxi!) In my book, there are but two bullets that are top choices for a hunting bullet, depending on caliber. If your punching paper, well this is kinda moot as any bullet weight is likely fine. But if optimal bullet performance is needed, IE velocity and energy, these two are my choice.
357 MAGNUM:
Hornady 158Gr XTP
FP bullet. Forget about the 180, and 170 its getting too heavy and reduces powder cap too much for the smaller Mag casing. The 158 FP bullet is pure poison on smaller/med sized big game from a longer, non vented barrel. Load it to top velocity and accuracy from your firearm and it will treat you very well. It will expand like a classic big game bullet. It will smash bones and penetrate deeply. (For a powder, I like 296/H110 )
Believe me, If your hunting with a longer and or non vented barrel, in 357 MAGNUM, NO OTHER BULLET is needed.
If your hunting with a Rev I like the 140 Speer and newer XTP bullets. I also see Hornady has a 140 FTX bullet. I have not yet used it. But the 140 HP's have taken a few Whitetails for me and have performed perfectly. The med weight HPs penetrate will form my 8" Colt Whitetailer barrel.
In the 357 MAXIMUM:
Again a Hornady bullet, this time a rifle .358 dia 180 Gr Single Shot Pistol Bullet. The maxi has more powder cap and CAN handle the 180's nicely. (I have also recently tried the Hornady FTX200's built for the 35Rem with some success, but not tested nearly as much) I do like the 180 XTP as well, but find accuracy and performance edge going to the SSP. Same story with this bullet. I have harvested a number of game with it with numerous DRT harvests. I have fired it into water jugs and wet phone books as well as shoulders ribs and lungs. At close range, say muzzle to 35/40 yards I do find it a bit fragile at top velocities if major bones are hit. But I have never lost a head of game and I have never had minimal penetration. I simply have seen most of the bullet disintegrate AFTER pulverising the bone it struck. I load line to top velocity from my barrels and have had 100% recoveries over many animals and many years. (My powder of choice, AA 1680)
If your in a Rev with the maxy, I would try that 170GD or even the same 158 FP for the maggie. The vel loss will be somewhat recovered by going lighter bullet to keep energy numbers up. I do not have a revolver in this caliber but I do have a 10" Contender barrel. So my experience with this barrel length, on game is limited.
I hope this helps more than it confuses. Again, If paper targets are your aim, about any bullet that shoots well will suffice.
I do not know of any .357 or .358 180 Gr SP bullet in "pistol" profile. I did buy a bunch of Rem 180 scalloped HP bullets bulk packed from Midway years ago... maybe call them. Cabelas also carried REM bullets, I am sure the 180 HP is still offered, maybe they can find them for you.
Good luck,
CW
