357 mag bullet choices

[spearcrow]

Hey everyone, been a fan of the 357 mag since I got my first handgun. I've had many and still own several K frame 357's, but never had or shot an L frame. Well I might have recently ...fell...into a 6" 586 and I am really looking forward to it.

I have heard the argument for years that the K frames forcing cones were an issue, etc...etc...I have always shot 38spl's in mine just because I didn't want to wear them out, although I usually keep some kind of .357 125gr hp in them when I am carrying them.

So, now that I am sort of upgrading to this 6" L frame, I want to get the most out of it's size and increased strength. So, as a reloader what should I be looking for.

I will be using it for lots of purposes, but it will range from plinking to farm carry. Might need to kill a coyote, dog after the cows, deer, mean looking steel plate, whatever the case may be. I am definitely thinking about getting a heavier grain bullet than the 125gr I have been running. I like the Win Silvertip HP's in my 44spl, haven't shot any in 357/38 as of yet. I had thought about using a heavy, hard cast bullet with a good dollap of unique, rather than a hp. What do you guys think?

 

[kenjen]

the 158gr. hornaday xtp with a load 14 or so grs. of 2400 work for me.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I've long liked 158 grain bullets, both cast lead and jacketed. Even heavier bullets sound appealing but I've not played with them.

I leave the 110-125 grain bullet weights to wimpy 9mms and such. The .357 Magnum is very capable with bullets with a bit of weight to them.

 

[38-44HD45]

For social business, especially in strong, heavy guns like your L-frame, I am a great believer in full-house 125gr. loads. If you go to a Gold Dot bullet, this weight will work for deer, too, although I like the Remington screamers for self-defense loads. If you want to go up in weight, not much beats 158gr. Gold Dots. There's nothing wrong with heavy cast bullets, but I hate to clean guns, and I've already spent my lifetime quota of time removing lead from .357 barrels, and if you drive them fast, even the best bullets will lead to some degree. I think you'll like your 586. I own J, K, L and N-frame Smiths in .357, and I'd rather shoot the Ls than any of the others.

 

[rug357]

I like 158gr case SWC bullet loaded to 1,000 fps using Unique powder.
It will do most things very well and is accurate too.
The other load that I like is 148gr full wadcutter (DEWC) loaded to 900 fps but I find that accuracy is not that good with some revolver out past 25-30 yards.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Most of my loading for the 357 is done with hard cast 158gr SWC's and for jacketed the Hornady 158gr XTP.

 

[new cal shooter]

158 SWC is the king for .38 or .357

 

[flashbang]

357 bullet choices

In an L or N frame gun I like the 125 grain factory loads from 4 inch barrels for social work.
In a K frame the 125 grain loads from Federal and Remington perform well and I carried them as an LEO, but you pay for the high velocity with muzzle blast and recoil, (slower to the second shot).
I also carried 110+P+ and 147 +P+ .38 special loads for work in magnum K frames. The 110 is a bit light but worked well in close fights where the subject was not behind cover, like car doors. The 110+P+ will perforate windshields and still have enough to disable the occupants. The 110+P+ from a 4 inch gun does not have severe recoil or muzzle flash that the 125 Magnum will have. The 147+P+ Hydra Shoks worked well in all situations fired from 4 inch guns, but it recoils, however without the muzzle flash in a K frame gun. In an L frame it is mild. As a .38 Special factory load it is an excellent choice.
That being said I really enjoy 158 SWC and 173 SWC Keith type Hard cast lead with gas checks at anywhere from 900 1200 fps for hunting. The full charge loads with heavy Keith Hard cast bullets have worked very well on wild hogs. Most I have taken were 100 lb plus range but there was one over 350 that took 3 shots. Recovered two bullets, penetration and damage was extensive. As defensive loads a 158 SWC at 1000 fps + should work well.

 

[bigt5150]

My personal favorite load in my 686 with 6 in. barrel is the Hornay 140 gr. XTP over 19 grains of H 110 with Win. SPM primers. The load is very accurate and does a great job on small game up to hogs.

 

[Kaumheimer]

I'm loading 158 SWC Roze bullets with 231. The Speer book says that the max you can push them with 5.4 gns of 231 is 989. I plan to shoot them with my M19 and M27. Was wondering if anybody out there had trouble with leading? Mahalo

 

[Kirmdog]

Lyman 358429 @ 1200 fps is my go to all around load for all of my 357's. This bullet shoots great in all my guns and has the power to get the job done whether target or animal.

Kirmdog

 

[cavnamvet]

Winchester 145 gr silvertips are a very good load if you can handle
full house .357, both you and your revolver.

 

[mitchshrader]

XTP makes a 180 grainer and Beartooth makes a hard cast gas checked 185. Either one loaded to 900fps in a 4 inch barrel is better to be shooting than shot at with..

heavy bullets for caliber tend to be more accurate than light ones, and penetrate better. The cost is somewhat less energy, but I'm the sort of guy who likes the results enough to accept the trade off.