200g hardcast in 357 mag

[ccoker]

anyone used a 200g hardcast out of a 357 mag for hogs?
I am looking to carry my 686 as a backup while hog hunting (primarily)

I think the Double Tap load does 1300fps out of a 6" barrel
that should definitely take care of a hog

anyone use the load on game?

[Ak.Hiker]

I have never hunted with the 200 grain load but I can tell you they will give a good 44 Magnum load a run when it comes to penetration. If I take my 6 inch Colt Python with me on hikes the CorBon 200 grain cast is my number one pick. A custom ammo loader once told me his wife carries his 200 grain cast load for bear protection. 

[Mikey]

Fellas:  I have used the 200 gn hard cast semi-wadcutter from both the 38 Spl and the 357 for as long as they have been around, and I wouldn't use anything else.  I get my slugs from either Colorado Cast Bullets or Mt. Baldy Bullets - both cast the exact same slug. 

My powder charge for that slug is the old Winchester factory loading of 12.4 gns of WW296 for 1335'/sec at 35K CUP pressure (please note many Winchester factory loads run to 42.5K CUP pressures). 

My preferred loading for the same slug in 38 Spl is another Winchester loading using 3.8 gns of WW231 powder for 770'/sec at 15.5K CUP pressure (note that some factory loadings in standard pressures run to 16K CUP and +P loadings run to 19K CUP).  Mikey.

[ccoker]

thanks
I don't have dies for 357 but probably will get some and roll my own

[HappyHunter]

What Mikey said.

I carry a 38 revolver with this load (Mikey has touted it for a long time). 

I also use a 357 hunting load similar to his.  I have only used it for white tail however.

That said I plan to hunt boar next year and will use a 41 magnum with a 255 grain hard cast lead bullet in a revolver.  Also use a 250 grain hardcast bullet in a 41 mag lever gun.

Love hot hard lead out of that Marlin.

Merry Christmas everybody.

Fred

[kiddekop]

I purchased  Cast Performance  hard cast bullets for my 41mag , 45lc ruger black hawks & tc encore 15" 454casull pistol using H 110 & W 296 accuracy was excellent.

[ccoker]

thanks
I have a Ruger  Bisley Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag that I load with 265g BTB WFN over 17.5g of 2400 as a dedicated hunting revolver, just looking to be able to have a little bit lighter/compact setup for backup when hunting, I also have a 1911 and if I could find a good 230g hardcast I would be very interested in carrying it as well.  

[Mikey]

ccoker:  I have yet to find a well designed cast swc for the 45 acp in 230 gn weight.  The closest in cast is the old Keith sytle 238 gn swc, Lyman # 452423, designed for the 45 Auto Rim.

There is a alternative however, in 230 gn and a full swc configuration.  Mag-Tech makes this bullet.  It is not a target bullet but a fmj-swc design that leaves a very nice square hole in the target and penetrates as well as the 452423.  My general purpose load is with 6.5-6.7 of Unique for around 875'/sec but I think I will try some WW231 to see if it shoots any cleaner.  The Mag-Tech bullet does not deform even when shot into hardwood logs.  I also found it penetrates straight on, which is what I would want from a swc whether cast or jacketed.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Hook686]

Where are you folks finding a .357 magnum loading for a 200 grain bullet ? I find nothing on Alliant, or Winchester, nor in Lyman, Hornady, or Speer.

[ccoker]

thanks for the info Mikey

[buckeye509]

Thanks for the tip about the cast bullets. I'll check them out.

[Mikey]

Hook - this info comes from old Winchester Factory load data that may not be available any longer as Winchester no longer loads the 200 gn bullet in either the 38 Spl or the 357.  However, all you need do is substitute the 200 gn cast swc slug for the rn slug and
you are in business.

However, for as long as Winchester manufactured these loads these were the charges they used and the results posted::

38 Spl:  200 gn lead rn. 3.8 gn 231 powder, 770'/sec, 15.5K CUP.  7.2 gn 630 powder, 780'/sec, 15.5K CUP.

357 Mag:  200 gn lead rn.  5.5 gn 231 powder, 1060'/sec, 42.5K CUP.  10.8 gn 630 powder, 1270'/sec, 40K CUP.  12.4 gn 296 powder, 1335'/sec, 35K CUP.

HTH.  Mikey.

[S.S.]

I have had no luck with anything much over 158 grains in any of my 357's.
the heavier I go the worse accuracy gets. This is with a Dan Wesson, A model 1892
lever action and a Ruger GP100.

[S.B.]

Wild Hill Preserve told me, while up there on a Russian Boar hunt, that they didn't experience much luck with their hunters using even the mighty .44 magnum with Russians. Russians tend to go crazy after being hit(if not killed instantly) and usually charge anything or anyone close. Don't know what breed of hog your going to be hunting but, make sure you have enough gun?
Steve

[Tom W.]

A friend over on the cast boolit forum sent me some 180 grain cast bullets that look like miniature versions of my .480 bullets. He casts them from a Lee six banger that he bought through a group buy...I like them a lot, and they're very accurate from my 4" security Six. The only drawback is that the bullet is a bit larger than the bullet seater, and it leaves a slight ring on the top of the loaded round. Doesn't hurt anything, though.

[Badnews Bob]

I was in on that group buy and I use that bullet in all of my .357s, It shoots about 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards from my NEF max, Brutal hits on white tails. I use 20grains of IMR 4227 for about 2000FPS. awsume load.

[S.B.]

I was in on that group buy and I use that bullet in all of my .357s, It shoots about 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards from my NEF max, Brutal hits on white tails. I use 20grains of IMR 4227 for about 2000FPS. awsume load.

Your load sounds a bit over done at that velocity? Especially with a four inch barrel. Wonder what pressure range that is, 45,000 psi?
Steve

[Tom W.]

I'm using 9 grains of BlueDot with that 4" Security Six....

[Badnews Bob]

That is a 22" barrel and it is a book load for the .357 maximum not the magnum. I pick up 4 to 500 fps over  the same load out of a pistol.

I should have stated that I forgot I was on the handgun forum. I don't shoot anything like that out of my revolvers.

[Handgun Hunter]

ccoker,

     I beleive Buffalo Bore or Double Tap may have a factory load useing the 200 gr. WFN design. I handload this bullet for my son and it is a real penatrator when pushed fast in the 357mag. Try these and see.

[Cottonwood]

Where are you folks finding a .357 magnum loading for a 200 grain bullet ? I find nothing on Alliant, or Winchester, nor in Lyman, Hornady, or Speer.

Double Tap Ammo .357 Magnum 200-gr WFNGC

And to answer the original question, yes this will work fine for taking boars.

[ccoker]

thanks
I am familiar with DT Ammo
Mike says the 200g will punch clean through a 5x5 elk end to end

I decided to pick up a Glock 20 for a pure backup handgun loaded with 15 rounds of either 200 or 230g DT hardcast

[docmagnum357]

I had pretty good luck using a 200 grain cast bullet in my 38 special.  i loaded it slighly hot, nothing over plus p, with 2400, and with imr 4227.  the secret is the slow burning powder.  I got 900- 950 feet per second.  The book showed 870, and 890 feert per second with a 15000 lbs loads.  Nothing wild, just a mild plus p.

The best part was that in the 38 special, it didn't take much for the bullet to tumble.  I never used this load on anything alive, but i bet it would have been mighty hard on coyotes, coon, bobcats, and small deer.

By the way, accuracy from my model 15 was less than two inchews at 25 yards.  Pretty good for me.

[S.B.]

I have never hunted with the 200 grain load but I can tell you they will give a good 44 Magnum load a run when it comes to penetration. If I take my 6 inch Colt Python with me on hikes the CorBon 200 grain cast is my number one pick. A custom ammo loader once told me his wife carries his 200 grain cast load for bear protection. 

Maybe, if you load both with 200 grainers but, if you load the .44 with the overweight for .44s(300 grainers) no contest.
Steve

[Ak.Hiker]

The 200 grain 357 magnum cast load at 1200 or so will out penetrate any expanding 44 Magnum load I have ever tested and will give the 240 and 250 cast loads a run. It is a long bullet. It may not go as deep as a 300 or 320 grain cast in 44 Magnum. As far as 200 grain 44 Magnum bullets I have never tested any bullet that light in the 44.

[S.B.]

I think LBT is running a sale on some molds of this size, right now? Good chance to buy a mold, cheap and support one of the business' that sponser GB?
Steve

[S.B.]

Ak.Hiker, wouldn't disagree with what your saying but, clearing for apples to apples.
Steve

[drdougrx]

Hi SB,

Maybe I'll try the 200gr cast on my next hog at WH.  I wouldn't take too much of what they tell you...it's a b it of marketing.  It's where you hit'm as you know.  Maybe another trip next Dec??

[Sverre A.]

Out of my 686, 4" - H110/200 gr. CP - I get 1200 fps.

My problem this year is - that I have to choose between the abovementioned load and:
300 gr./.44 Mag /1000 fps.

If I had to shoot impala, pigs, kudu etc - I`m sure that the 357 would do the things.

But I`m in the mode to shoot a giraf - and then I think my 300 gr. Mimek/1000 fps will be the right thing.

Yes . I have a lot of guns which should be "more right" - but I have to prove for myself that the .44 is what I need to shoot everything.  Except the biggest of B5.  Then I will use my 454.

 

[mpritchard]

I have been bear hunting with the 180 grn Cast Performance bullets with AA#9 and they scoot along at 1400 fps. out the end of a 686 8 3/8. They do a great job...  As long as you do yours.  I recently got the 200 grainers and have them up to 1200 fps. with H110.  I will try them on bear.  They should do you right on the hogs.  Great bullets.