Power and Accuracy in 357 and 44 (Deer and Boar hunting)

[Palladan44]

Im interested to see what the thoughts are on power vs Accuracy in magnum revolver handloading. When working up a load to accomplish deer and boar hunting.

With 357 Magnum i find the best Accuracy and Power I need using Winchester 296 and 158grain Speer Deepcurl bullets. Near the upper end of published limits, call it a little better than half way up the scale (Ive found that accuracy tapers off just under or at MAX with little to no advantage in velocity) VERY important to find this threshold and call it quits at the "Sweet spot" It ends up being right around 1375 fps. to 1400fps in my 8-3/8" Model 27.

With 44 magnum, I dont find much benefit to use WIN 296 and 240grain Jacketed bullets, as I find them a little excessive for what i need. Although accurate enough, i can shoot better with more of a "medium" magnum round, which offers target-like accuracy with more than enough power for Deer, Boar or even Black Bear. The 44 magnum offers me, the handloader, the option to "scale it down a bit" to balance power and accuracy. Were looking at 1,225-1,250 fps with a 240 grain cast LSWC. Powders like 2400 loaded in the medium area of the spectrum, or a low published load of Longshot (which i just discovered) to be the ideal balance of power and accuracy.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Your results very nearly match mine.
I’ve used a good bit of Hodgdons Lil’Gun in the .357mag. Many avoid it claiming throat erosion but I’ve not seen any. It gives excellent velocities and acceptable accuracy. The gun does get hot quickly though.

 

[Mike L.]

My best loads in .357 with 158 gr Gold Dots are a few tenths shy of max. I see no need to push the envelope (or break it). My revolver cost a lot of money (for me), and I don't want to wear it out. I'm burning 2400 powder with good results.

 

[joneb]

Im interested to see what the thoughts are on power vs Accuracy in magnum revolver handloading.

Kinda like horse power and gas milage in my pickup?

 

[Demi-human]

Kinda like horse power and gas milage in my pickup?

Except I can always go get a more efficient (bigger) cartridge.
I am stuck with a Toyota Tundra. It has neither.

 

[Obturation]

I always prefer bigger cartridges , bigger cases, heavier bullets , you can do more with less pressure. A maxed out 357 can't even nip at the heels of a 44 magnum on the very mild end, that's why 45 colt is still popular. Even at black powder velocities big bullets just plow right through without beating up guns and shooters. I load a 325 grain wfn at 850 fps for plinking in 454 casull and it feels pretty light but there's not much on earth that it won't flatten.
Bigger is better

 

[horsey300]

Except I can always go get a more efficient (bigger) cartridge.
I am stuck with a Toyota Tundra. It has neither.

Well if you're stuck with the tundra, you can always ai it or rebarrel it !

 

[Demi-human]

It needs a re-barrel.
To a Ram barreled BigHorn Magnum! The 454 Casull of trucks.

But I’m afraid the Action won’t take it. I’ll need a new rifle, uh, I mean truck.(I mean rifle!)


Regardless of the payload, I prefer it to be accurately delivered, by a truck of appropriate size.

 

[horsey300]

It needs a re-barrel.
To a Ram barreled BigHorn Magnum! The 454 Casull of trucks.

But I’m afraid the Action won’t take it. I’ll need a new rifle, uh, I mean truck.(I mean rifle!)


Regardless of the payload, I prefer it to be accurately delivered, by a truck of appropriate size.

There's always the Nissan 6.5 cummins!
I don't need a diesel every day, but when I do, it's a serious situation ! The other perk of the .454 is being able to run .45lc

 

[Bfh_auto]

Im interested to see what the thoughts are on power vs Accuracy in magnum revolver handloading. When working up a load to accomplish deer and boar hunting.

With 357 Magnum i find the best Accuracy and Power I need using Winchester 296 and 158grain Speer Deepcurl bullets. Near the upper end of published limits, call it a little better than half way up the scale (Ive found that accuracy tapers off just under or at MAX with little to no advantage in velocity) VERY important to find this threshold and call it quits at the "Sweet spot" It ends up being right around 1375 fps. to 1400fps in my 8-3/8" Model 27.

With 44 magnum, I dont find much benefit to use WIN 296 and 240grain Jacketed bullets, as I find them a little excessive for what i need. Although accurate enough, i can shoot better with more of a "medium" magnum round, which offers target-like accuracy with more than enough power for Deer, Boar or even Black Bear. The 44 magnum offers me, the handloader, the option to "scale it down a bit" to balance power and accuracy. Were looking at 1,225-1,250 fps with a 240 grain cast LSWC. Powders like 2400 loaded in the medium area of the spectrum, or a low published load of Longshot (which i just discovered) to be the ideal balance of power and accuracy.

Comparison between a 357 and a 44 mag is like a 243 vs 300 WM.
With that out of the way. I prefer a 180 WFN with a slightly compressed load of h110 or lil gun.
It gives enough power in a lighter revolver that is easy to carry and shoot.
I learned not to push the limits with 125 gr 357 bullets. They go to pieces even using autocomp, CFE-P, etc. The magnum powders are even worse.

 

[Palladan44]

Comparison between a 357 and a 44 mag is like a 243 vs 300 WM.

Sorry, im not trying to make this a comparison. Now that would be silly! I do use both cartridges, and they both can do the jobs to take deer and boar.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Sorry, im not trying to make this a comparison. Now that would be silly! I do use both cartridges, and they both can do the jobs to take deer and boar.

No offense taken. I was just pointing out the huge power factor gap.
I do tend to load for the max of what a cartridge can do. If I don't give up accuracy.
But I have started to change my ways.