Mstafford88
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2023
- Messages
- 126
The amount of support and help on this forum is incredible and I thank all of you for itI think you're the third or fourth person to offer. I got there first!
Do a little research on that projectile. It was designed for a levergun and performance in a pistol sux. A good swc will get er done cheaper and not arguably better.... and they have crappy requirements to trim good mag brass short...View attachment 1172853
Dad finally sent me a photo of the beauty. He’s using the 140gr Hornady FTX now so will probably go with those projectiles. I think they will end up being a good Christmas present, not making him get the projectiles and just surprising with a handful of made rounds to test
Those cases are .030 short from my trim length at 1.250Read all the warnings Hornady has about reloading their 140 grain FTX projectiles. They require case trimming shorter than normal. Once trimmed those cases aren’t suitable for other published loads. The case volume reduction leads to higher pressures.
Measure those Hornady factory cases that were factory loaded with the FTX projectiles. They will likely be shorter too and should be reloaded with the same 140 grain FTX bullet using loads specifically for that projectile.
For all those reasons, I’ve chosen not to try the FTX projectiles for 357 Mag. In 30-30, that’s a whole different story.
You need some wooden grips inscribed with “The Dealer” because I bet that thing will cut cards. Beautiful gun.View attachment 1172853
Dad finally sent me a photo of the beauty. He’s using the 140gr Hornady FTX now so will probably go with those projectiles. I think they will end up being a good Christmas present, not making him get the projectiles and just surprising with a handful of made rounds to test
That’s not horrible. Still, I’ll stay away from them and use 140 grain XTP if I need that weight.Those cases are .030 short from my trim length at 1.250
Not tryin' to steal your thunder...............the offer is to anyone..............I think you're the third or fourth person to offer. I got there first!
I hope to find a big pile of it so I can trim to make the perfect fit for the 358429 I currently load in 38 brass... not cutting perfectly good brass down for that and then I'd have to rework the load.That’s not horrible. Still, I’ll stay away from them and use 140 grain XTP if I need that weight.
This is from the Hornady site:Do a little research on that projectile. It was designed for a levergun and performance in a pistol sux. A good swc will get er done cheaper and not arguably better.... and they have crappy requirements to trim good mag brass short...
Was referring to the handguns. Many shooters have a tendency to start loading hotter loads on their lever actions to gain more velocity. I do not increase my loads on my .357 lever rifle. I use the same loads as my 686 and that in it self will increase the velocity of the .357 158gr bullet to a minimum of 400 fps because of the longer barrel. I've loaded some of my brass as much as 8 times without incident........yet!Forever meets lever gun chambers....View attachment 1172800
My dad is pretty stoked now that he has a red dot on his 357 mag and wants to take it deer hunting (he’s got the skills, no worries about a clean shot there)
So I already make him .38spcl for plinking which drill 8” plates at 50 yards just using a turret press and knocking out plinker rounds. But we talked a little about making some 357 mag for him to hunt with. He has a handful of store bought hornady hunting loads that seem to shoot well.
Ok now that the backstory is out of the way here’s my question and some of our conversation/ consideration went:
1: We would have to buy brass, primers and projectiles. (I usually don’t have to buy brass, I got access to everything I need except 357).
2: I would likely treat it like a rifle round. Weigh out each charge by hand, trim, chamfer, debur, etc.
My comment to him was, with the cost and time going in to it and not really knowing if it’ll shoot much better than the store bought stuff, it may not be worth it, since he won’t go thru box after box of it. And frankly, I don’t know the first thing about 357 mag loading. (Is it just as consistent with a turret press, crimp/no crimp etc etc.)
So my question I guess is: for those who load 357mag for hunting only, is it worth all the effort?
There is zero load difference between carbines and pistols. Carbines do take advantage of slower powders but that does not increase the load, it's just more effective .Was referring to the handguns. Many shooters have a tendency to start loading hotter loads on their lever actions to gain more velocity. I do not increase my loads on my .357 lever rifle. I use the same loads as my 686 and that in it self will increase the velocity of the .357 158gr bullet to a minimum of 400 fps because of the longer barrel. I've loaded some of my brass as much as 8 times without incident........yet!
Spend a little time watching people test it. You may be satisfied by the result but I wasn't. Different strokes for different fokes.This is from the Hornady site:
357 Mag 140 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®
Item #92755 | 25/Box
US Patent: 8,413,587 | 7,380,502 | 8,161,885
LEVERevolution® represents a breakthrough in ammo design for lever action rifles and revolvers. The key to its innovation and performance is the patented elastomer Flex Tip® technology of the FTX® and MonoFlex® bullets. Safe to use in tubular magazines, these bullets feature higher ballistic coefficients and deliver dramatically flatter trajectory for increased down range performance.
NOTE: The innovative LEVERevolution® FTX® and MonoFlex® bullet designs may require a newer magazine follower to provide best possible functioning of the last round out of the magazine in certain guns.
Looks like they recommend it for revolvers also...........................
For a revolver, give me a 158gr LSWC and I’ll bring home some meat*.Spend a little time watching people test it. You may be satisfied by the result but I wasn't. Different strokes for different fokes.
How about a lrnfp with a big meplat.For a revolver, give me a 158gr LSWC and I’ll bring home some meat*.
* there’s a Publix on the way home from the indoor range.
If you're already loading 38's you have the die set. So why not buy a box of 125-158 grain hollow point bullets and go for it?My dad is pretty stoked now that he has a red dot on his 357 mag and wants to take it deer hunting (he’s got the skills, no worries about a clean shot there)
So I already make him .38spcl for plinking which drill 8” plates at 50 yards just using a turret press and knocking out plinker rounds. But we talked a little about making some 357 mag for him to hunt with. He has a handful of store bought hornady hunting loads that seem to shoot well.
So my question I guess is: for those who load 357mag for hunting only, is it worth all the effort?
I would recommend a 158 JSP
Do a little research on that projectile. It was designed for a levergun and performance in a pistol sux.
Spend a little time watching people test it. You may be satisfied by the result but I wasn't. Different strokes for different fokes.
Accuracy and terminal performance are different games and I haven't seen or herd of good terminal performance out of a pistol. That takes us down the rabbit hole of ethics which I'll leave completely alone.Exactly....
Just because you say it sux, doesn't mean that @Mstafford88 dad won't get fantastic results with them---as it seems as he is using them currently and shooting lights out....!!
Accuracy and terminal performance are different games and I haven't seen or herd of good terminal performance out of a pistol. That takes us down the rabbit hole of ethics which I'll leave completely alone.
Haha it’s all good I don’t mind opinions. It makes me research more. Which ADHD makes me hyper obsess anyway lol.Would it hurt every once-in-a-while to give a fellow some credit and wish him good luck in his venture.................
Here, I'll show you...........
Hey @Mstafford88 , good luck with finding a reliable load for you dad's hunting needs----post a pic of the meat haul....!!.....
1: We would have to buy brass, primers and projectiles. (I usually don’t have to buy brass, I got access to everything I need except 357).