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Does Anyone Use the 357 Mag for Hunting???
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 Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 07:44 AM
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Draciron
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Havne't tried hunting with them but the Sierra 180 grains really impressed me at the range. I'm still playing with H110 and Alliant 2400 but both seem good powders for that bullet.

I've been totally unimpressed with the Speer 158 grain bullets. The cheapo Winchester 125gn bulk buy are more consistent and accurate than the Speer rounds. Maybe my gun just doesn't like Speer or I'm using the wrong powders with them. I've had nothing but trouble with the Speer's starting with finding load data for them and moving on. I've tried the 158 gn jhps, the 158 gn UHCPs, 158 gn FMJ and the 125 gn Gold dots.

I can put more powder behind the Hornady XTPs, get more accuracy, no signs of pressure and to be honest the research I've done shows the XTP to penetrate deeper and be a more lethal bullet but actually costs less per bullet than the Speer. I want to try more Sierras as well. The 180s impressed me and my gun really likes them. The Winchester cheapos outperform the Speers in my gun. I only use them for plinking loads though, that and cast bullets.

I'm still new to reloading so there might be some mistake I'm making loading the Speers. I'd feel confident with the Sierra 180s though on anything smaller than a bear. I wouldn't feel confident hitting a rabid bunny with the Speers.


 Posted: Sat Oct 3rd, 2009 02:30 AM
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Harvey57
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Joined: Tue Sep 22nd, 2009
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Hello All,

I was big on reading Ross Seyfried.  He was a heavy cast bullet fan.  I bought some heavy weight 35 cal. bullet molds for my 357s.  My accuracy tests show the 170 to 200 grain bullets give me better groups.  I have a 200gr and 155gr of the same design.  The 200 grain bullet is more accurate and travels farther at the same muzzle velocity.  A hollow point on the 200 gr bullet would make it more devastating.

Last edited on Sat Oct 3rd, 2009 02:34 AM by Harvey57



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