357 Loads

[east_tn_gk]

I got me a new S&W model 686 + in .357 and I'm starting to set it up for deer hunting. I've bought a few boxes of factory stuff to see what weight or particular bullet it likes. That being said, I will be loading for it after initial testing.
Anybody have any good loads or bullet/powder suggestions?
1) I will be working loads up from the book starting load
2) this is a dedicated deer round, not a combination self-defense / hunting round.

Thanks

 

[Creek bottoms]

14 grains of Accurate #9 behind a 125 grain Hornady XTP hollow point. You might be able to use 14.5 grains. Watch for pressure signs. Great load.

 

[jlanecr500]

140gr Barnes XPB. Follow their load data.

 

[Remi]

Hornady 158 XTP or XTP/fp
16.5grs h110

 

[vonb]

These with a max load of H110:

https://ravenrocksprecision.com/158gr-357-38-cal-jhp-bullets-updating/

 

[east_tn_gk]

@Creek bottoms @jlanecr500 @Remi @vonb
Thanks for the input, I'm in the process of gathering everything up and setting up the revolver so this is great information to have starting out.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I shoot and load mostly 158 gr. JHP and cast. 2400 with around 15.0 gr.(sometimes a little more)is what most manuals will list. H110 with around 16.0 gr. and sometimes more depending on your gun. Always work up to these warmer loads.

 

[348Winchester]

Don't rule out cast bullets. Lots of game has been taken with lead.

 

[DaveTN]

I don't know about deer, but Federal Hydra Shok (or HST) 158 Grain are proven man stoppers.

HST is pretty much the same as Hydra Shok, just reimagined for the "kids" that think something that has been at the top of the heap for 35 years needs some "new technology".

 

[ROVERBOY]

I've seen loads with H110 and 158 gr bullets as high as 17.6 gr. I've never worked up that far but, have loaded to 17.0 gr. I need to shoot some over my chronograph.

 

[WestTN2288]

I keep reading 16-16.5 of h110/296 with a 158. Does anyone have chronograph data to go with loads?

 

[Remi]

I keep reading 16-16.5 of h110/296 with a 158. Does anyone have chronograph data to go with loads?

I never chrono'd the h110/158 combo. 16.5grs shot great in every 4" and 6" 357 I shot it in. I've not shot or reloaded a 357 in probably 15yrs after going to the 44 but if I ever went back to a 357 I'd start with 16.5grs h110 and a 158.

 

[east_tn_gk]

I found some H110 on the shelf (imagine that) and ordered some of the Hornady 158 XTP's. It seems like that weight bullet and particular powder are very popular with most here. Nothing against cast bullets, just no experience with them and have always had good results with "the big red H". I may look into those from Raven Rock above, seems like an excellent deal for a variety of applications.
I should have everything this week, so hoping to start testing soon.
Thanks for all the input and I'll share how it works out.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Nothing to offer but interested in your results, both accuracy and bullet velocity.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I 've not chronoed any H110 loads yet but, have tested some 2400 loads in a 6" barreled gun. Most manuals list about 15.0 gr. as max with 158 gr. But, some go a little higher. I worked up to 15.5 gr. with a CCI 550 and Rem. 158 gr. JHP. I got an average of 1290 fps. Also I never saw any pressure signs. Primers looked good and cases ejected easy.

 

[Jeff43]

14 grains of Accurate #9 behind a 125 grain Hornady XTP hollow point. You might be able to use 14.5 grains. Watch for pressure signs. Great load.

Have you tried any #9 with 158 grain bullets

 

[Creek bottoms]

Have you tried any #9 with 158 grain bullets

I have not. I step up to a 44 or 45 LC if I go heavier.

 

[270 Joe]

The 158 gr. Hornady XTPs are great on deer . It put a hole equal to what my 30-30 dose, at about a 40 yard shot .

 

[ROVERBOY]

I finished a buck off last season with a Remington 158 gr. JHP and 15.5 gr. H110 and CCI 550. I shot him first with rifle and broke him down. The angle was a little weird and must have got the lower shoulders and missed heart and lungs. Anyway he was raising his head up and trying to kick with his back legs over the hill. I popped him behind the shoulder and he was dead pretty quick.

 

[shrimphead]

my black hawk 6 1/2 357 loves 140gr. h 110 or 2400

 

[ROVERBOY]

I know this is an older thread but, I have since loaded and shot 17.0 gr. H110 and CCI 550 with Rem. 158 gr. jhp. In a Taurus 66 with 6" barrel, it did 1265 fps average at 10'. In a Gforce Huckleberry 20" barrel, it did average 1800 fps at 10'.

 

[ROVERBOY]

Update, 17.5 gr. H110 and Remington 158 JHP did 1850 fps, from 20" Gforce Huckleberry. Didn't chrono from revolver but, 18.0 gr. H110 with same bullet and primer did 1430 fps from 6" Taurus 66, and 1925 fps from Huckleberry. These are warm loads. Work up to them.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I never chrono'd the h110/158 combo. 16.5grs shot great in every 4" and 6" 357 I shot it in. I've not shot or reloaded a 357 in probably 15yrs after going to the 44 but if I ever went back to a 357 I'd start with 16.5grs h110 and a 158.

Win. 296 and H110 are high volume powders. I have seen in manuals and read online about some heavy loads. They burn slow and a lot of powder can be loaded.

 

[Iglow]

Don't rule out cast bullets. Lots of game has been taken with lead.

I loaded some WW .45 Colt for both revolver and rifle to SAA pressures and it shot completely through both deer I shot with it out of the rifle, neither went out of sight before dropping.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I've loaded and shot some hot .357 loads in a few different guns. But, original loads were pretty warm compared to average factory loads now. I call most of today's loads, castrated. I don't shoot many of these but, for hunting loads, rock and roll. Original loads ran about 1500 fps with 158 cast in a 8 3/4" barrel.

 

[Seabee]

140 grain XTP and H110.

 

[ROVERBOY]

140 grain XTP and H110.

Does the 140 gr. penetrate good? I've loaded and shot them. But, never hunted with them.