180 gr bullet...lots of ?'s

[jameslovesjammie]

I'm new into casting boolits. I have a S&W 686 .357 with a 8 3/8" barrel. The only game I have shot was 4 whitetail does at ~100 yards with Sierra 158 gr. soft points and gophers with 125 grain hp's.

I shoot alot of .38's...mostly cast 148 gr HBWC, 125 gr FN, and 158 gr SWC...all cast. In .357, I shoot the 158 gr SWC, 158 gr soft pointss, and have more recently been shooting 180 gr Hornady XTP's.

I've found that the gun likes heavier for caliber bullets...it really like the 180 gr XTP's. I was looking at the Saeco 353 or 354 bullet. I know .357 is considered on the small side for hunting, and I would like something with a LFN or WFN design.

I have a Saeco 148 gr WC mould...397 but haven't done any casting yet as I am still gathering all the parts. I would prefer Saeco, or something that would use the same handles. I am going to be on a really strict budget.

Would the Saeco 353 or 354 be good hunting bullets? I am only going by the drawing on the Redding website. Does anyone have a picture of this bullet cast?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm still learning! [smilie=s:

[jtaylor1960]

I looked at the two Saeco molds you mentioned and providing they shoot well in your gun either should be a good hunting bullet. The gas checked version might be better if the pressures are higher to prevent leading.There are a bunch of good designs out there but I don't think you would go wrong with either of these. Good luck,Jeff Taylor.

[MT Gianni]

What you need is the group buy copy of the LBT 185FN, aka 180 gr checked RNFP that is in it's 4th incarnation in Lee's waiting room. This is one of the best shooting heavy's ever made. Gianni

[Cayoot]

The only game I have shot was 4 whitetail does at ~100 yards with Sierra 158 gr. soft points [smilie=s:

Could you provide some info on how the soft point performed? I have heard some experienced folks sing the praises of the 158 JHP for the .357 with the sacred white tail.

I'd really like to hear your thoughts....especially since at 100 yards, you were probably able to recover the bullet....could you proved a comparison of unfired/and dug out of deer bullet?

Thanks

[Onlymenotu]

@ jameslovesjammie....... Did you get my pm?

[Cracker]

tag for reference as I just aquired a saeco 353 but haven't started casting yet

[imashooter2]

I love the SAECO 353 on paper and steel in an 1894C. Never shot anything that bleeds with it. The meplat is a little small.

[Cracker]

I love the SAECO 353 on paper and steel in an 1894C. Never shot anything that bleeds with it. The meplat is a little small.

I have never tried it but there aws an article a while back in handloader about pouring the nose with pure/almost pure lead and the base(part in contact with bore) with something harder to make a home brew expanding bullit.

I was thinking of tring something like this for game

[bobthenailer]

i have the saeco # 354 , accuracy is excellent . but i also have the lee gb 180 gr fn gc , and thats the one i would use for hunting as the meplat is larger (lbt style) , accuracy is equal to the saeco and it shoots excellent without the gas check installed to at least 1100 fps. bob

[Jon K]

I have the Saeco #354, and I push it 1653 fps, 9 fps sd and still doesn't show pressure in my Browning 92/ 20" barrel.

This is just my "rule of thumb" 1500 fps and over gets a GC.

Jon