357 Mag 125gr bullet for target practice

[rhodesengr]

I have a 686 Competitor that I build various loads for.
One of my loads uses Enforcer with a Hornady 125gr XTP bullet. I guess this would be considered a "full powder" 357 Mag type load.

I am looking for a similar, less expensive bullet that will handle "full Power" 357 magnum velocities (1400-1600fps).

I was looking at some of the Berry bullets but they are plated vs jacketed and Berry says to stay away from "magnum" velocities so I guess those are out.

In a similar manner, I am using Hornady HAP bullets in my 9mm CZ 75. But Hornady does not appear to have an HAP version in the 357 size.

Any ideas?

 

[rosewood]

You might have to slow it down a bit, but Berry does offer a "thick plate" plated bullet that you can push to 1500 fps.

Rosewood

 

[Nick B]

I use the Zero brand 125 hp and the sp bullet .
Rozedist.com .

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use the Zero brand 125 hp and the sp bullet .
Rozedist.com .

Zero bullets work very well. They are selling 125gr JSP bullets, 500 count for just under $79. You can get 2,000 for under $320...

 

[robertrwalsh]

Of course you could always just cool it a bit with the Rhino Rollers. When you are my age your hands will thank you.

 

[BC38]

Another option would be powder coated. I've read of people shooting hardcast powdercoated bullets at rifle velocities with no leading issues.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Another option would be powder coated. I've read of people shooting hard cast powder coated bullets at rifle velocities with no leading issues.

I have shot 158gr powder coated bullets from Missouri Bullets in the .357 without a problem. They even work well in my Marlin levergun too.

 

[colt_saa]

Missouri Bullets does not offer a 125 grain 357 Magnum projectile

Bad Man Bullets has coated 125s that I have pushed to just over 2000 FPS in the lever guns, They go for about $105 per 1000 with the shipping included

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Missouri Bullets does not offer a 125 grain 357 Magnum projectile

Bad Man Bullets has coated 125s that I have pushed to just over 2000 FPS in the lever guns, They go for about $105 per 1000 with the shipping included

I'm fairly sure they used to but I just looked and you are correct. The 140gr bullets are not bad either and @$46/500 he will save a ton of cash.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

You might have to slow it down a bit, but Berry does offer a "thick plate" plated bullet that you can push to 1500 fps.

Rosewood

They are also 158gr with a can, and Midway has 'em... $160/1K.

Cheers!

 

[venomballistics]

Another option would be powder coated. I've read of people shooting hardcast powdercoated bullets at rifle velocities with no leading issues.

This is correct.
Having tested PC in a 30-06 with full power loads, you'll encounter other new and interesting problems before you get leading.

 

[Forrest r]

Another option would be powder coated. I've read of people shooting hardcast powdercoated bullets at rifle velocities with no leading issues.

Home cast 14bhn bullets, they are the lee 160gr tl bullet that are traditionally lubed and coated.

What a 30" 308w bbl looked like after 30 shots with the traditionally lubed bullets. Antimonial wash

At 2700fps with the coated bullets I started to see scorch marks.

No big deal bore-tech eliminator took it out with a couple passes with a nylon brush. After seeing that I give the coated bullets a tumble lube coating when pushing them 2700fps+. I've ran them 2900fps+ without issues.

You'll be hard pressed to push the coated bullets fast enough to have any issues in firearms chambered in 357mag.

 

[CorvZ061]

I've been shooting some 125gr jacketed flat points from Everglades as of recent. They seem to be very consistent, and have no trouble with running at power power. I'm loading them with H110 and have had good consistency

 

[rhodesengr]

thanks for the ideas. I will look into them.

The load data on Hodgdon lists an MEI bullet running at up to 1500fps. I think it is this bullet
38 CAL. 125GR. RNFP

They don't specify the hardness that I can see and its just lead; no jacket or plating.

Seems harder to find full-speed 357 magnum bullets than I would have thought.

 

[rhodesengr]

How about this bullet
TSH .38/.357 mag 125 gr. TC per 300

It is spec'd at 22 BHN. I did some searching on BHN vs max speed but didn't find anything definitive.

I don't have a listed load for a non-jacketed bullet at 1500fps but I assume it would take a bit less powder than the XTP.

 

[Nick B]

I've been shooting some 125gr jacketed flat points from Everglades as of recent. They seem to be very consistent, and have no trouble with running at power power. I'm loading them with H110 and have had good consistency

Everglades marks up and sells Zero Bullets .

 

[Nevada Ed]

I am just courious why your .357 Magnum 125 gr "Target loads"
have to start at

1400fps ?

 

[CorvZ061]

Everglades marks up and sells Zero Bullets .

Interesting.. I didn’t know that

 

[GypsmJim]

You said "target practice". Why use 125 gr.?

You said 1400 fps. Why so fast for the target?

Just wondering. If I were to need 1400 I would use a jacketed bullet. If I were target practicing I would use a 158 lead boolit. But that's just me.

 

[Nick B]

Interesting.. I didn’t know that

I live 10 minutes away from them and at one time they had a really nice walk in store packed with reloading supplies .