Hard cast bullets for .357 Mag revolvers.

[MCMXI]

I have some Ruger .357 Mag revolvers, specifcally a pair of Ruger KLCRs in addition to an SP101 3" and GP100 6". I'd like to work up a hard cast load for critter defense when hiking trails up here in NW Montana. I've been carrying a Ruger SRH Bowen Alaskan (.454 Casull) and RH 4.2" (.45 Colt) on trails but would like the option to carry a .357 Mag with appropriate ammunition.

Looking at Buffalo Bore's website, they offer a 180gr hard cast LFN-GC load for $33.20/box of 20.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

I've ordered bullets from Oregon Trail, Montana Bullet Works and Beartooth Bullets but only the last two companies offer a suitable bullet for my application. Does anyone have any experience with either of the bullets below?

185gr FN-GC from Beartooth Bullets
180gr WFN-GC from Montana Bullet Works

Are there other bullets I should be looking at? I have a Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag so it would be good to use the same bullet/load for that too if possible.

Thanks.

 

[ericuda]

My only thought is will the bullet feed in the 1894. I have had trouble with 158s if I load too long.

 

[MCMXI]

Beartooth Bullets claims the following for the 185gr FN-GC.

"Best balance of weight to velocity in .357 Caliber. Our Flagship Bullet for this caliber. Outstanding accuracy and game harvesting authority! Feeds in all lever action rifles. Ultimate Venison Venom for the .357 Magnum."

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

 

[AJC1]

My only thought is will the bullet feed in the 1894. I have had trouble with 158s if I load too long.

For my lever guns I start at 1.590 and work in on a dummy round. Some of the Underwood rounds have a very square tip and may not feed well.

 

[WrongHanded]

My experience with MBW WFN bullets has been very good. The only issue I have had is that sometimes, because the bullet goes partially into the throat of the chamber, they need a little push to get loaded in my revolvers. No doubt due to the short ogive. But they do always go in with finger pressure.

I tried a WFN in .41 mag, and then tried a LFN. The LFN did not exhibit the same issue with loading into the chambers. But the reduced meplat surface area might be more than you want to give up in a .357.

 

[MCMXI]

My experience with MBW WFN bullets has been very good. The only issue I have had is that sometimes, because the bullet goes partially into the throat of the chamber, they need a little push to get loaded in my revolvers. No doubt due to the short ogive. But they do always go in with finger pressure.

I ordered .45 cal 300gr LBT, WFN-GC and 340gr LBT, WFN-GC bullets from Montana Bullet Works and neither will fit in the chambers of the RH 4.2" .45 Colt and only the 340gr will fit in the chamber of the SRH .454 Casull. Both the Beartooth 345gr WLN-GC and True Shot 360gr WFNP-GC fit in both revolvers. For that reason I'm leaning towards the Beartooth 185gr FN-GC at this stage.

 

[WrongHanded]

I ordered .45 cal 300gr LBT, WFN-GC and 340gr LBT, WFN-GC bullets from Montana Bullet Works and neither will fit in the chambers of the RH 4.2" .45 Colt and only the 340gr will fit in the chamber of the SRH .454 Casull. Both the Beartooth 345gr WLN-GC and True Shot 360gr WFNP-GC fit in both revolvers. For that reason I'm leaning towards the Beartooth 185gr FN-GC at this stage.

I guess it's not just me then. On the website, it does say they recommend sizing bullets for revolvers to the throat diameter. This is likely the reason why.

The first time I ordered WFN for .41 mag, I ordered .411" diameter (thinking plus 1/1000th for lead). I had to send them back to be sized down to .410", which Bruce did for free. He said he always wonders when people order .411" for a .41 mag. But I guess he just assumes people know what they want better than he does.