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357 Loads

east_tn_gk

east_tn_gk

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Joined
Aug 29, 2014
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198
Location
East Tennessee
I got me a new S&W model 686 + in .357 and I'm starting to set it up for deer hunting. I've bought a few boxes of factory stuff to see what weight or particular bullet it likes. That being said, I will be loading for it after initial testing.
Anybody have any good loads or bullet/powder suggestions?
1) I will be working loads up from the book starting load
2) this is a dedicated deer round, not a combination self-defense / hunting round.

Thanks
 
I shoot and load mostly 158 gr. JHP and cast. 2400 with around 15.0 gr.(sometimes a little more)is what most manuals will list. H110 with around 16.0 gr. and sometimes more depending on your gun. Always work up to these warmer loads.
 
I don't know about deer, but Federal Hydra Shok (or HST) 158 Grain are proven man stoppers.

HST is pretty much the same as Hydra Shok, just reimagined for the "kids" that think something that has been at the top of the heap for 35 years needs some "new technology". 🤣
 
I've seen loads with H110 and 158 gr bullets as high as 17.6 gr. I've never worked up that far but, have loaded to 17.0 gr. I need to shoot some over my chronograph.
 
WestTN2288 said:
I keep reading 16-16.5 of h110/296 with a 158. Does anyone have chronograph data to go with loads?
Click to expand...



I never chrono'd the h110/158 combo. 16.5grs shot great in every 4" and 6" 357 I shot it in. I've not shot or reloaded a 357 in probably 15yrs after going to the 44 but if I ever went back to a 357 I'd start with 16.5grs h110 and a 158.
 
I found some H110 on the shelf (imagine that) and ordered some of the Hornady 158 XTP's. It seems like that weight bullet and particular powder are very popular with most here. Nothing against cast bullets, just no experience with them and have always had good results with "the big red H". I may look into those from Raven Rock above, seems like an excellent deal for a variety of applications.
I should have everything this week, so hoping to start testing soon.
Thanks for all the input and I'll share how it works out.
 
I 've not chronoed any H110 loads yet but, have tested some 2400 loads in a 6" barreled gun. Most manuals list about 15.0 gr. as max with 158 gr. But, some go a little higher. I worked up to 15.5 gr. with a CCI 550 and Rem. 158 gr. JHP. I got an average of 1290 fps. Also I never saw any pressure signs. Primers looked good and cases ejected easy.
 
The 158 gr. Hornady XTPs are great on deer . It put a hole equal to what my 30-30 dose, at about a 40 yard shot .
 
I finished a buck off last season with a Remington 158 gr. JHP and 15.5 gr. H110 and CCI 550. I shot him first with rifle and broke him down. The angle was a little weird and must have got the lower shoulders and missed heart and lungs. Anyway he was raising his head up and trying to kick with his back legs over the hill. I popped him behind the shoulder and he was dead pretty quick.
 

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