MidSouth Shooters SupplyLoad DataReloading EverythingTitan Reloading
Inline FabricationWidenersRotoMetals2Repackbox
Lee Precision
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Yet another 357 hunting boolit question

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    N/E Oklahoma
    Posts
    297

    Yet another 357 hunting boolit question

    I've got a 180 gr rf that I got off a group buy here many moons ago. It works great in my Henry Lever action. I run into problems with this boolit in my GP100. When seated to the crimp groove its hard to chamber in the Gp100. The boolit hits the throat of the cylinder. I know that I could seat the boolit past the crimp groove or slightly shorten the case but I was thinking of going another way. I also have the Lyman Keith style 173 gr hollow point mold. I am currently using 11 gr 2400 and it works well. I haven't chrono'd it yet but I think its moving about 1000-1100 fps out of the 6 inch barrel. Two things, do you think that this is fast enough and will the HP boolit penetrate our Oklahoma deer (not big) on broad side shots. I prefer two holes. I don't know how fast I can push this plain based boolit before it starts to lead. Anybody using this?

    Siamese4570

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Quilcene, Washington
    Posts
    3,663
    I use the Keith boolit in my 357 maximum carbine and that 183 gr RF in my Ruger 77/357. Both are fine shooters and outstanding hunting boolits. In both I have pushed those plain base boolits to almost 1400 fps with not a hint of leading. A hollow point isn't necessary and you should get full penetration easily as long as the terminal velocity is above 900 fps. My lube is nothing fancy, just Lee Alox, and I am sizing to 358.

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Posts
    73
    Contact Fermin Garza. He does excellent work opening up the throats so the heavier carbine style bullets will seat in the crimp groove and chamber easily. He's done several for me so I could use the MP carbine bullet in 357 mag and maximum.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    385
    You could also size the nose smaller so it fits the cylinder throat.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy Hi-Speed's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Northern Nevada
    Posts
    354
    My Lyman 358429 (170 grs) loaded with 11.0 grs 2400 in new 38 Special cases get 1,171 fps chronographed from Ruger 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk and very accurate. 11.0 grs 2400 loaded with same 358429 in 357 Magnum cases gets 1,136 fps with 1.553” OAL in same gun. Load them 1.553” (per Lyman manual) in 357 Mag cases, which requires crimping over the front shoulder, and you’ll also see better accuracy. You should be getting about 1,175 to 1,200 fps in your six inch. Probably go through any Whitetail around

    I use 11-12 BNH hardness sized .358 and don’t get any leading. Leading is more a problem when your bullet is undersized to your gun as some rightly noted. Know your gun, know your bullet…

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    There are a lot of factors here, but in my 5" GP100, I can get the NOE version to 1350 fps with very good accuracy. I prefer a lighter Bluedot load which is closer to 1250 fps though. Mine are 1.645" OAL. I've not seen a deer shot with a hollow point version of this bullet yet. Solids worked. I've been most impressed with the shallow HP cup point, and 20:1 alloy. I've seen a ton of variation of hollow points for this bullet. Some are very shallow. Some, like this NOE are giant, and are more suited to 38 special.

  7. #7
    Boolit Man mjac's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Central west coast of Florida
    Posts
    81
    Following the thread with interest as I hope to get my 357 to the woods in a few weeks. My 44's are po'ed.
    Trying not to derail the OP's thread and if not appropriate please chastise me accordingly.

    I am shooting a 170g 15 bhn SWC from a 5" GP100. Velocity is reported to be 1300 fps. Am likely to see any expansion on deer at 25~40 yard ranges? Pigs are also on the menu but methinks my long guns are the better choice for them.

    Again, my apologies.
    "My two most favorite people are Navy Corpsmen and Marine medivac helicopter pilots" - MEJ 1967.

    "Pick up a rifle and you change instantly from a subject to a citizen." Col Jeff Cooper, USMC.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check