Lee 358-158-RF in a Rossie 92 for Deer hunting.

[wvmedic]

Anyone using a Lee 358-158-RF in there lever for Deer hunting? I have been shooting some Hornady 158 gr. HP XTP's and have got my best groups with a lower velocity load that Hornady list at 1500 FPS. I have no chrono at this time, and a few have said that the HP XTP isn't a good choice for Deer.

I have the 358-158-RF and need to get a sizing die for it, I was wondering if this would be good with AC WW's to 75 yds. or less. Most likely shots less than 50 yds.

I have Hodgdon H110 and Unique on hand, I have about 50 CCI550 SP Mag. primers on hand and 1000 CCI500 SP primers on hand.

Also I have three reloading manuals, a Lee 2nd addition, a Hornady and a Lyman pistol and revolver. So I have access to some different data for the 358-158 RF, but would like some help with a suitable load with the above powders. I am new to reloading if it wasn’t obviously clear, and I’m not sure what velocity would be suitable for this boolit in a hunting situation.
If money wasn’t an object now, I would go with an RD mould, sizing die with the GC. But money is tight at the moment.


Any suggestions as to a load for the 358-158-RF with the above, or should I just order some other bullets? Or go with a factory round like Federal 158 gr. soft point?



Jeff

[wvmedic]

Mods if this is in an inappropriate place please move it.

Jeff

[excess650]

I think the H110 with 158XTPs will be fine, but you could try the heavier 180XTPs. I suspect you'll have a leading issue with top end Unique loads and no GC. H110 may not be the go to powder for cast 158RF. My opinion is that it needs to be used at near max charges, and that would necessitate a GC or jacketed. I DO use H110, but with 185gr GC. I would suggest 4227 or 2400 for plainbase cast in the 357.

[wvmedic]

Thanks excess650, I do have some 180 gr HP XTP's. I might load some and see how they do, I need to get some more CCI 550's though. Reloading supplies are hard to find locally, I can only locate the Hornady bullets locally and a limited powder supply. Once I get more familure with loading and what works for me I can order powder and primers on line in enough quantity to offset the haz-mat fee.
I only know one other person who reloads and he buys what he can local.

Jeff

[excess650]

You can use small rifle primers in place of CCI 550s in the Rossi. H110 will need a hotter primer than non ball powders like 4227 or 2400. Unique is a flake powder and pretty easy to ignite.

My Marlins seem to like the heavier 170-180gr jacketed better than lighter ones. These days I shoot cast almost exclusively.

Where in WV?

[Blammer]

The 158 xtp's will do JUST fine! I think the 180's will be a bit tougher and may not work as well, that's my opinoin.
158gr xtp shot into water jugs
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Targets/DSCN5296.jpg

I did shoot a deer with a speer 170gr flat point in my 357 mag levergun and it completely penetrated and did a wonderful job. The lighter bullets will probably go faster and do a fine job. XTP's will hold together.

I also shot a deer with a cast 180gr flat point the 360180RF design and it worked great too.

I would have NO qualms or worries using the 158 358 cast boolit at 1200fps or so.

Penetration is going to be the least of your worries.

The two deer I shot with my 357mag lever gun were about 40-60 yds away, both were complete through and through's. The cast boolit penetrated pleanty of bone and still didn't stop.

w296 or bluedot would be my choice of powder for cast

[excess650]

I haven't taken a whitetail with any of mine, but did get a turkey. IIRC, 14.5gr H2400 with a 158gr JHP did some damage. The groundhog at 150 yards didn't like it much either.

[wvmedic]

excess650, St. Albans.

Thanks for the info folks.
I think I’m still going to load some of the 180 gr just to see how they do. The 158 gr grouped best with 13.2 gr of the H110. I could cover three shot groups @ 50 yds. with a quarter.

Jeff

[Bret4207]

Man, I'd take a 158 cast of ACWW at 12-1400 (should be easy with a rifle) over the jacketed HP stuff any day of the week. With a 357 rifle you're good out to your 75 yards or a bit more with no issues whatsoever given good shot placement. I've put a number of deer down with factory 158SP and cast 358156 out of a 4" Smith and any difference was in favor of the cast boolit. I'm sure a rifle and a few more foots to the second will work just fine.

[mroliver77]

A gas check is not necessary for max loads of h110 in the .357. I shoot the 358477 and the 358429 both with case fulls of H110 and max loads of WC820 slow lot in my Blackhawk and NEF Handi Rifle with good accuracy and lots of knock down power.

[btroj]

I have a Mohec 359640 that is screaming to go deer hunting in my Marlin. It is certainly in the running. It is far and away the best shooting bullet in My Marlin that o have tried.

I see no reason a 357 with a nice 158 swc wouldn't be great on deer.

[leadman]

I shot that same boolit (Lee 158gr RFN) to 1,600 or so in my Marlin lever gun with no leading. I was using 2400. Unique may not do it without leading, 110 might be good.
If you want to use that boolit and it is leading set an inverted gas check in the case neck then push it in when the boolit is seated. I have done this frequently and it works well. Picked this up from Dave Scovill in Handloader magazine.

[wvmedic]

Folks I really want to say thanks for the info.

I have did some wheeling and dealing to put a Marlin 336 30-30 on layaway, it is a 1973 and in good shape. I will finish paying for it in two weeks, I got it for $300.00. I will have more confidence with it this year. It will also give me time to work up a good lead load for the .357, so if I chose to take it hunting I will have confidence in it. The wife and I love shooting it especially with the 38's, it is just a little more punch than a .22. I will load some up with lead in .38 as well, and enjoy it plinking.

The 336 has a scope, so I like it a little better for now. I didn't want to scope the 92, a scope just doesn't look right to me on a 92 clone. The 336, I believe looks good with optics. That and I can see better hunting with a scope.

Thanks again for taking time to share you're info.

Jeff

[wgg]

No flies on a 336 in 30-30, good for cast as well

[MtGun44]

+1 on mroliver77. I use the Lee 358-158-RF, Lyman 358477 or 358429 in pistols with near
max loads of H110 (book says over 1500 fps, I don't believe it from my 6" revolvers) without
GCs with no leading at all, excellent accy.

I don't have a long gun in .357 Mag, so no experience in the longer bbls.

Bill