Best Bullet for hunting with the .357 max.

[AllOutdoors.22]

MT, I did find a mold from NOE that I was interested in but I am worried about lube choices. I seem to always come back to worrying about leading my barrel. And I don't want to ruin this barrel as it shoots so well...

[Hamish]

I like the idea of using a tumble lube bullet. Like you said less equipment to buy. But do you think that it will hold up at the velocities the .357 max. can deliver?

I have run Alox/JPW to a little over 1600fps in the .357 with excellent results.

[BigboreShooter]

Leading will not ruin the barrel!!! Just clean it out and keep tinkering with different load/bullet combinations.

BigboreShooter

[quilbilly]

My favorite small game (up to 50# at under 80 yards) is the Lee 150 gr round nose plain base over 8 gr. of Unique which give it a muzzle velocity of about 1200 fps. and consistently groups under 2" with iron sights at 100 yds. My rifle is a 21" barrel Contender carbine. No leading at all and I do size to .358 though I probably don't have to except for consistency. For smaller bears at under 80 yards I use the Lee 158 gr SWC -GC which consistently come from the mold at 163 gr. over 2400 which give an MV of 1900 fps (sorry I forget the charge weight) and I would use this load for deer if I wasn't muzzleloading. The 357 max is a wonderful cartage and that 150 gr load is great fun to shoot.

[AllOutdoors.22]

I see a .360-180gr. fn in a group buy that I am pretty interested in getting. Question for you guys though...where would I find a sizing die that size? I like the idea of the Lee push through style as it doesn't require extra equipment but I believe they only have .358? Any help out there would be appreciated!

[AllOutdoors.22]

Plz disregard the second half of my last post as I found Lee does custom sizes for not much more than there .358. But anyway, do you guys think that would be a good bullet for the Max. I do not have a lubrisizer so I would probably dip lube in carnauba red. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Jupiter7]

Plz disregard the second half of my last post as I found Lee does custom sizes for not much more than there .358. But anyway, do you guys think that would be a good bullet for the Max. I do not have a lubrisizer so I would probably dip lube in carnauba red. Thoughts? Thanks!

AO22,

Contact member "buckshot" here and he can make you a push thru sizer. Much better than the Lee and no playing the lottery about what you'll get. Dipping in carnuba red should work fine.

[AllOutdoors.22]

I will definitely do that. That bullet looks like it should do well in the Max!

[Beerd]

If you are looking at the mould offered by A.C.E. Co. it appears to be a copy of the original Glen Larson design and will be a dandy in your Maximum.

[AllOutdoors.22]

That is the one...I sent out a PM to find out how the group process works. Hope I can still get one...

[johnestmon]

I like the 180 grain Hornady XTP. They get excellent penetration and are heavy enough to get a "Whack" for bone breaking and depth. I get them from RAM Precision, 50 rd box for $30. Can't beat it.

[onceabull]

I'm surprised that no one yet seems to favor my own long term choice. Lyman 358627..Granted it is long discontinued,but I think still available from some custom moldmakers,and for a tryout, Western Bullet in Missoula sold me my first,10-12 years ago ,then I went loking for a mould of my own..Shooting it in Dan Wesson Supermag, TC super 14s in both 357 Max. and 35 Remmie...Onceabull

[Blammer]

alloutdoor, pan lubing will be your ticket, cheap and easy

check out this place for all your NOE mould needs.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/

he may even have a "LEE Tumble lube" of the bullet you are looking for.

of course, the conventional lube bullets will tumble lube quite well too.

[tward]

Jerry at Carolina cast bullets is a sponsor here and sells the Ranch Dog 175 gr and 190 gr Boolits if you want to try before you invest in a mold. Jerry is a great guy to deal with and makes a quality product! Tim

[quilbilly]

I have been tumble lubing in Alox the Lyman 173 gr Keith style SWC plain base and didn't start having leading residue in my Contender 357 max until I passed 1450 fps if this info helps. I size to 358.

[FredMcIntire]

I have several .357 Maximums. I use a 185 grain, flat nose, gas check bullet from Beartooth Bullets, sized .359. I load them over 20.0 - 21.0 grains of H110.

I speak from experience when I say they are a deer hammer !

[rockrat]

ACE 360-235 Thor. Out of my Ruger #1 100yds

[Beerd]

rockrat,
good shooting!
(as I was once told, "Too bad you missed the bullseye")
That 1680 brings out the max in the Maximum. Have you shot that across a chrony yet?
..

[Greg]

nawh,

the 360-235 Thor over H-110

(ahem)

The 360-235 Thor over 2400,,,,,,,

[taco650]

ACE 360-235 Thor. Out of my Ruger #1 100yds

That's great accuracy but what blows me away is a Ruger #1 in 357Max!