T/C 357max/RCBS 35/200FN-GC ?

[BigboreShooter]

I just acquired a 10" 357max. barrel from MGM. I was looking at the RCBS 35-200gr-FN as a cast hunting bullet.
With my limited data so far, I should be able to get 1600+fps.Just wondering if anybody has any hunting experience with this bullet.
I'm also open to any suggestions for a cast hunting bullet.

BigboreShooter

[cbrick]

The RCBS 35 200 is an outstanding boolit & accurate in everything I've tried it in, even revolver.

Rick

[runfiverun]

i think you'll be good with that combination.
many use a 158 at about that velocity in a levergun and seem to do allright.

[Wayne S]

There were two articles in HANDLOADERmagazine, back in 1986 [March / April & Nov./ Dec.] when the Max first came out.
One thing the author did was to seat his J bullets very shallow in the case for more powder capacity, the article doesn't say if he used that "trick" with the cast bullets he used in his test. He did list 1500 fps with a Lyman 215 SWC & 1605 fps with a Lyman 255 gn. # 358627 out of a 10" bbl.
Another mold to consider is the Saeco 356, same design as the RCBS just a little shorter and the nose is more bore riding Dia.
OR
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=314

[cbrick]

Here is another good read on the Max.

The 357 Maximum By: Glen E. Fryxell (http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_357Max.pdf)

Rick

[quilbilly]

I will be curious to hear how it shoots for you since it should be such a good hunting boolit. I have a T/C Contender carbine in 357 max and the rifle is so light that with the heavy boolits, the overall vibration (not recoil) makes it very unpleasant to shoot. I have stuck with the 158 gr swc-gc at 1800 fps for hunting smaller bear (I use muzzleloaders for deer and elk) and use the Lee 150 gr-rnpb at 1250 fps for smaller game and plinking. It may be that the 200 gr boolits will actually be better in the pistol.

[runfiverun]

i shoot 250's in my revolver right now, i have some 180's to try just hain't got ther just yet.
the 250's are not bad at all in the revolver i just use the slowest powder i can.

[nighthunter]

I use the RCBS 35-200 in 35 Remington in both a Marlin lever action and a 14" T/C Contender barrel. This bullet does everything I have asked of it. It has accounted for a few deer over the years without doing unacceptable meat damage. Your barrel might be better than a T/C. T/C is known for long throats so seating long is often desirable and my T/C cartridges don't function in the Marlin because of OAL. You won't have this problem with just the one firearm so why did I even go there?

Nighthunter

[Lefty SRH]

May want to consider getting in on this GB once it officially becomes a group buy. This is one hard hitting joker!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?178753-360-230-gr-Thor

[Beerd]

Darn you Lefty, I've managed to stay away from the "Group Buy" forum since before Christmas, and now you tempt me with this!

The Thor bullet looks like it will be skookum stuff in a .356 Winchester.
I think the 357 Maximum does best with something lighter, like the Ranch dog bullet or a 180 gr WFP.
..

[Pilgrim]

I use the 35-200 in both a 35 Rem and a .358 Win. In the 35 Rem velocity is ~2000 fps (instrument velocity ~10 ' from the muzzle). In the .358 velocity is 2430 fps (same setup for the chrono). I've not used the 35 Rem on game. The .358 has accounted for both elk (cow) and moose (bull). Bull was hit from a downward angle (1st shot) high in the right shoulder and exited roughly 1/2 way down ribcage on the left side taking out 3 ribs and leaving a 3" hole. The bull dropped right there. After staying down for a minute or two he got up and started running. The 2nd shot hit behind the left ribcage, passed thru the spine and stopped under the hide on the right shoulder. Range was ~100 yds. Boolit recovered was a classic "even" mushroom weighing ~180 gr. The as loaded boolit weighed 213 gr., BHN 15, WW + 2% 95-5 solder lubed w/ LBT Blue, Hornady GC. The rifle is a rebarreled BLR (pre-81 version). The factory barrel was a tent peg masquerating as a rifle barrel. The boolit is a 1st class game boolit. FWIW Pilgrim

[Lefty SRH]

Darn you Lefty, I've managed to stay away from the "Group Buy" forum since before Christmas, and now you tempt me with this!

The Thor bullet looks like it will be skookum stuff in a .356 Winchester.
I think the 357 Maximum does best with something lighter, like the Ranch dog bullet or a 180 gr WFP.
..

I'm just trying to help! :)

[Goatwhiskers]

I will say that my 24" barreled Martini is scary accurate with the RD359190 either GC or PP. The RD359170 is almost as good. I tried 4227 and 2400, settled on A1680, some fairly stiff loads according to some people. If you want to talk about loads PM me and we can talk. GW

[BigboreShooter]

Guy's
My main concern, does the RCBS 35-200-FN have a large enough meplat for hunting. At the 1600-1700fps possible.

BigBoreShooter

[cbrick]

I think so at that velocity, it has a meplat of 56% of bullet diameter.

Rick

[runfiverun]

it's a lot bigger than the saeco 250's I use is.
balance the velocity and the alloy and you got it made.
too hard and you lose internal damage.
too soft and you lose penetration.
too soft and too fast and you lose the shoulder.