Hunting loads for .357 mag

[ArkansasFatboy]

Do any of you have pet loads for hunting rounds for .357 mag ? I have a Taurus with a 6inch barrel that I will carry as a side arm while deer hunting this year just as a back up or if I have a deer walk right under my stand for a close shot. And I was wondering what powder bullet combos worked for some of you.

 

[Chief 101]

I use hefty doses of 2400 and hardcast flatnosed lead in the heavier weights. Under your circumstances I am sure that many replies will come along that that have data that will work just fine. Chief aka Maxx Load

 

[alucard0822]

158gr xtp over 16.5gr h110/win296 win SPM primer, surprisingly easy to shoot out of my 4" 686, and very accurate , but has plenty of power and penetration behind it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My woods load is almost the same as alucard0822 above. I use a 180 gr XTP over 13.5 gr H110/W296. I like the heavy bullet in case I stumble upon a Black Bear. I just want to make sure when I hit the Bear he doesn't laugh at me! LOL I carry a 4" S&W Model 619 (7 rounds)

 

[dakotasin]

a stiff load of 2400 and hardcast 158 flat noses for me.

when properly loaded, my 686 produces more obnoxious recoil than my heavily loaded srh 480 (to be fair the 480 is a much heavier gun).

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hornady 140 grain XTP over 18.5 grains of W-296. 1450 fps from a Ruger Blackhawk 6 1/2" barrel.

 

[Bula]

I'd recommend less than nuclear loads for that Taurus. I had a model 66 Taurus and I liked 13.5 g of 2400 under Win. Bulk 158 gr JHP or JSP.

 

[Shooter973]

Loads for a 357?

Try 7 gr. of Unique under any cast bullet that weighs 150-158grs. Nice all purpose 357 load that is very cheap to load and shoot a lot of. Ya get 1000 rounds out of a pound of Unique. Will sufice for anything a 357 will handle.

 

[CSA 357]

I use a 158 gr jsp over a max charge of 2400, in my mod 66 smith and my mod 27s shot placment is important csa

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

180XTP over H110.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Lyman mold # 358429 for a 170g Keith over 14g of 2400. Schweet!

Does the job!

 

[Hook686]

With a Speer 170 grain GDSPI'm partial to 14.0 grains 2400, with WSPM primer and 1.590" O.A.L. This I find good in my S&W 627 & 686, as well as my Marlin 1894C.