Handload for .357 mag------

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silverking

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S.E. Michigan
-----vs. whitetail.
Looking for a proven recipe for .357 mag for Michigan whitetail.
Will be using a S&W mod 19.5 w/ 6" bbl and a Ruger GP100 w/ 4" bbl. (two hunters). Need suggestions for ideal bullet weight and powder to use. I have Unique, Blue Dot, Universal, and W231. I will be loading new brass and using CCI 550 mag primers. Loading on a Lee Classic Turret w/ Lee dies. Thanks for any info.
 
6.8gr tightgroup and a 140gr Sierra JHC
4.8gr tightgroup and a 158gr lswc
 
-----vs. whitetail.
Looking for a proven recipe for .357 mag for Michigan whitetail.
Will be using a S&W mod 19.5 w/ 6" bbl and a Ruger GP100 w/ 4" bbl. (two hunters). Need suggestions for ideal bullet weight and powder to use. I have Unique, Blue Dot, Universal, and W231. I will be loading new brass and using CCI 550 mag primers. Loading on a Lee Classic Turret w/ Lee dies. Thanks for any info.
If you want any bullet you use to have enough energy to stop a Deer you better use a slower powder than the ones you listed. None of those powders will give you adequate performance without exceeding SAAMI pressures. I highly suggest using a "magnum powder" like IMR-4227, 2400, AA#9, W296/H110, Lil'Gun, 300-MP, Enforcer or any other powders in that burn rate range.

With a short barrel like that you will probably be better off with a 140gr bullet so that the velocity will be higher than with a 170gr bullet which I like in a Carbine. A Hornady XTP bullet is tough enough for hunting as are Sierra JHC bullets.
 
13.5g 2400 and a cast Keith 173g (Lyman 358429), standard SP primer. Will leave 2 holes at pistol distances.
 
If you want any bullet you use to have enough energy to stop a Deer you better use a slower powder than the ones you listed.

Very true.

I use VV N110 (14.2gr max) and a small rifle primer with 180grn XTP's out of my Marlin and my 6.5 Blackhawk.

Very good accuracy and plenty of power.
 
  1. You want to use 2400, 296, or Enforcer powder. (there are a few others in this league) Blue Dot will almost get you there, but you don't want almost.
  2. 158 grain (or slightly heavier) JSP's or hard lead SWC's.
  3. Good luck.
 
I like 11.8 grains of AA#9 under a 140 grain Barnes XPB with a mag primer.

I used up 50 bullets in load development and a further 25 at my load for sighting in/verification in my GP100 4". (When you look at the price you'll see why these numbers are significant!)
 
14.0gr 2400 gets me 1391fps from my 6" GP100 with a 158gr LSWC, that's good for 679ft-lbs. Not sure how much you loose using a 4".
 
My Son dropped a large mule deer in it's tracks, litterally, using a 125 gr., it was either a Gold Dot or an XTP-HP, can't remember which. I loaded them with 20.0 grs. H110 and they were chronographing around 1600 fps. from the Taurus 608.

All I can say is it was an absolutly devestating combination of bullet, powder, , fire arm, and shooter all coming together in near perfection, cause that deer never even took a step. There was so much energy that it just slammed to the groud like it had been hit by a truck. The bullet entered in the back of the shoulder and exited out the rib cage just behind the shoulder blade, and it left a very large hole. The deer hit the ground so hard that it flipped on it's back and the feet went straight up in the air. It was actually kind of comical, but a totally awsome display of raw energy all at the same time. And if that wasn't enough display, my Son shot it at around 100 yds. off hand.

So my vote is for a 125 gr., or I'm sure even a 158 gr., either a Gold Dot or an XTP will get the job done with a charge of H110 or 296 to deliver deadly velovity.
 
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