hot .357 mag loading tips?

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I have sp mag primers and 158gr Hornady sjhp slugs.
I'm new at the .357 mag but years of loading for semi-autos.
I have Power Pistol and a buddy (also sort of new at .357) has AA9 and 110 and Blue Dot.
any tips on which I would do best with?
loading for black bear and feral/wild hog back-up carry pistols. Ruger GP and S&W 28.

 

[rcmodel]

AA #9 or H-110 will give you the highest velocity with maximum loads.

Power Pistol & Blue Dot, not so much.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Ditto

 

[buck460XVR]

I agree with the powder recommendations, but suggest dumping the SJHPs if bear and hogs are the quarry. Runnin' at max velocities against these animals, penetration will be handicapped. If you're gonna use jacketed bullets, stick with JSPs or Hornady's XTP FP.

 

[rcmodel]

When did Hornady ever make any .357" SJHP (Short Jacket Hollow-Point)?

I know Speer used too, but Hornady?

rc

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

no idea how old these are - the # is 3575. semi-jacket hp's. exposed lead h-p tip.
it's all I have on hand so that's what I'll use, I do have some 158gr wheel-weight quenched-from- cast swc's and some 125gr GS Rems though. but think the 158gr semi-jacket's will likely be better. these won't be used for primary hunting guns, back-up to rifles/shotty only.
I think I've got an AA load manual around somewhere, maybe Hodgon too and I know a Lee loading data manual.
thanks for advice.

 

[rcmodel]

Ah!
I remember now!

That was the Hornady bullet before the XTP came along.

I was thinking half-jacket like the Speers, and yours are more like 3/4 jacket with lead exposed, right.

rc

 

[buck460XVR]

it's all I have on hand so that's what I'll use, these won't be used for primary hunting guns, back-up to rifles/shotty only

Back-up, as in self defense, last resort desperation after all other options(rifles and shotties) have failed on a charging bear or hog? Or is it just for takin' along and plinkin' at varmits and tweety birds? Shots at wounded, pissed off charging bears and hogs are generally rushed offhand shots taken at bad angles into parts of anatomy that aren't preferred by most hunters. IMHO, This is where, especially with a .357, where penetration is key and the purchase of the correct bullet is a wise investment. The SJHPs in .357 are excellent plinkers. I'd save 'em for that.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

uummm, I think I'll alternate them with the hard-cast 158's just for 'if'.
I've got them loaded to 1250 fps over Red Dot.
can't go wrong there.
these sure appear to be more sturdily made than 'plinking' slugs however. I'd dern sure hate to get hit w/one traveling beyond the speed of sound waves.
there is a cannelure about 2/3rd ways up that seems to be a re-inforceing band of sorts.
likely if used at all will be more 'dispatching' duty or 'coup' guns than outright primary weapons.
I've taken 2 feral/wild hog with BP .44 revolvers, 3 shots = 2 hog - 1 DRT. nephew backed me up in the blind with his 20ga Mag loaded w/#3 buck.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

We are talking Hogdon H110 here and not Vit N-110 right?

That being the case, somewhere between 16 and 17 grains of it under the 158 would do nicely as a max effort hunting type load.

Work up to it carefully though. It's right at or over published data depending on which book you happen to be reading.

 

[buck460XVR]

these sure appear to be more sturdily made than 'plinking' slugs however. I'd dern sure hate to get hit w/one traveling beyond the speed of sound waves.
there is a cannelure about 2/3rd ways up that seems to be a re-inforceing band o

Humans are a lot softer than bear or hogs, and unless under the influence of drugs react to pain and holes in their guts differently than animals. The cannelure is just the groove for the crimp. I agree tho that the hardcast would be a better option than the SJHP for the use you stated.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, AA#9 and H110/W296 will produce the highest velocities. Lil'Gun will also produce very high velocities as will Ramshot Enforcer.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

thanks for the tips, at any rate if the use of our pistols is required it would likely be 'up close and personal' range.
the bear hunt we have an invite on is going to be with dogs and the bore from a ground blind, long guns being the primary weapon.
likely pistol use will be a 'dispatching piece'.
the AA#9 is likely to be the powder for the load.