I like this bullet weight in certain applications.

I took a javelina with a Speer 140 grain bullet and full load of H-110 years ago. I still have the bullet. Of course javelina can be taken with a .22 LR.

I think it is a good bullet in a .357 that is carried outdoors. It will penetrate and expand. It may not be enough for black bears or large hogs though. Of course if I think I am going to run into anything bigger than that I would carry my .41 or .44 magnum if I was stuck carrying a handgun.

In my M586 4 inch the Speer groups to 2 inches at 25 yards.

In my M28-2 4 inch the Sierra grouped 1 7/8 inch at 25 yards.

My M13 groups the Remington at under 3 inches at 25 yards.

Anybody else use them? Or taken any game with them?

I use a 140 grain SWC cast bullet from Saeco with 4.5 grains of 231 or Bullseye as my standard load.

Jim

Several sources have indicated the 140 grain bullet as the most accurate in the 357 Magnum. I have some I am going to test, either Speer or Sierras.

I'm a fan of the 140s. I've loaded Speer, Sierra, and Remington brands with good results for all. Though I've taken no large game with them, they've proven the most accurate weight in most of the 38 and 357 revolvers in which I've tried them. I use a manual max load of 296 or H110 for 357, and a manual max load of AL-7 for the 38 special. In the last 15 years, I've loaded many many more cast bullets than jacketed in 38. Problem is, there is no more AL-7, so when I go to reload 140s in 38s again, I'll have to play powders again.

I bought 2000 Remington 140gr SJHPs a couple of years ago, when they were still reasonably priced AND on sale! They have been a very impressive bullet for accuracy. With a healthy dose of 2400, I'm getting about under 2" inch groups at 50 yards with my 8 3/8" Model 27-2. I don't know if they are constructed heavily enough for big game use, but they are seriously accurate in the Marlin 1894C as well and can be driven to impressive velocities out of its longer barrel. You could easily make head shots on squirrels at 100 yds (but NOT something I'd recommend doing out of safety concerns, however). They also work well for heavy .38 Special loads, but I prefer lead in 38SP for most of my range applications. I have become a big fan of the 140gr jacketed bullet in .357 Magnum loads though.

VAdoublegunner, great accuracy indeed.

Good info folks. I have to say my most accurate .357 yet was the Sierra 158 grain JSP in my first M28-2 4 inch back in 1975. It would consistently shoot into 1 1/2 inches at 25 yards.

But I have always thought the 140 grain JHP has some use as I mentioned above.

I load the 140 grainer on top of 18 grains of H-110 in a Starline case with a CCi 550 primer for my S&W 4" 19-5 and it is a real winner with the Hornady XTP h.p. or the Speer 140 jhp,either bullet groups extremely well out to 50 yards and to me for this load I'm getting near the velocity of the 125s with the penetration of the 158s,this is the only round I load for this model 19.I have taken whitetail up to a 100lbs on the hoof with this load out to 60 long paces with broadside shots and get complete penetration,it's a KILLER combination.
Equalizer

140gr hard cast lead truncated cone over 6.2gr Universal Clays. Averages about 1,200fps in my Ruger GP-100 with 6" barrel. Accurate with no leading.

My favorite load in any of my .357's is a Hornady 140gr. XTP on top of 19 grains of Hodgdon 110, using a starline case and Winchester Small Pistol Magnum primer. I haven't had a chance to chronograph it but It sure screams out of a six inch barrel. I also have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy II lever action with 24 inch barrel and i've been able to drop 300 pound hogs from about 100 yds. with ease.
I love this load.

quote:

Originally posted by Parson Colt:
I'm a fan of the 140s. I've loaded Speer, Sierra, and Remington brands with good results for all. Though I've taken no large game with them, they've proven the most accurate weight in most of the 38 and 357 revolvers in which I've tried them. I use a manual max load of 296 or H110 for 357, and a manual max load of AL-7 for the 38 special. In the last 15 years, I've loaded many many more cast bullets than jacketed in 38. Problem is, there is no more AL-7, so when I go to reload 140s in 38s again, I'll have to play powders again.

SR-4756, Gary. If you need starting loads from which to work up, I have a first edition Speer #8...

When I used to load lots of .38 Specials, my favorite load for serious use was a 140gr. Speer JHP over a maximum load of 2400, but that was years before I discovered 4756. Great bullets, those, over most any appropriate powder.

I really like this weight bullet for the .357 also. Many years ago I loaded the old Speer 146 gr. half jacket semi-wadcutter. That was a favorite for a long time. The factory Winchester 145 gr. Silvertip has been a favorite load also. The 140 gr. Remington SJHP bulk packs seem to be a bargain and one I am exploiting to the fullest extent of my wallet. One of the Remington 140 SJHP's reaching about 1,250 - 1,300 fps from a 6" barrel is a reasonable load to control and one that would handle a lot of chores the .357 is suitable for.

just settling in for a run of new 357 HP's pretty close to this description

I loaded Hornady 140gr JHPs year ago for a 4" Taurus 66. It was scary accurate with 14.0 grs of 2400. Now I'm loading the same round with 11.0 or 12.0 grs of Accurate # 7. The 11 grs gives the same recoil "feel" as the 135gr Speer GDSBs that I carry in my Ruger SP101 snubby. The 12.0 grs also gives outstanding accuracy.

Been loading Sierra 140 Gr. Power Jacket JHP's over 18.5 Gr. 296 for 15+ years. Great accuracy, gives you 1390 fps and very controllable recoil. I also load them in +P .38 loads.

I've loaded the 140gr XTPs and Sierras in my Para 1911 .38Super, great accuracy with no feeding problems. I'll need to check my reloading log to see how they did in my 686+/6".

The most pleasant surprise has been the old style Remington 140 gr SJHP through a 1/10" hard steel barrier and five water bottles. Consistant .70" to .8125" expansion with more penetration than full boogy 10mm 180gr Golden Saber from a 6" barrel, 1380fps chrono.

I like AA #9 powder, a lot, for .357mag/.44mag; however this workup load was 16.4/N110/WSR (max loading 17.1grs) for old style Remington 140gr SJHP chronoed at 1510fps, minimal felt recoil.

Javelinas can be tough, as in not going down with 9mm. A friend of mine stopped a charging javelina running toward his wife with a single .357mag shot that blew out the javelina's entire spinal column stern to stem...

Bob