Still another dumb question

Status
Not open for further replies.
Officers'Wife

Officers'Wife

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
3,659
Location
A long way from heaven and too close to Chicago
I've been offered three pounds of Ramshot Silhouette powder for $25 per and 100 flat nose bullets (125 grain ) thrown in.

The load data shows a 1000+ start velocity that gives me pause but not beyond my risk tolerance.

Question: is this type of powder good for my situation? (38 special out of a rifle) and no more than I know what I'm doing?

Would the lighter bullet be appropriate for whitetail deer?
 
That is a good deal on a good powder, buy it, regardless.

According to the Western Powders 5.0 PDF you should be able to push a 125 Gr plated or jacketed bullet to around 1175 to 1225 FPS with .38 Spl +P data from a pistol and would gain a little from a rifle barrel.

Is that good for deer? Dunno. With great placement it could work. Wouldn't be my first choice.

I thought we determined there weren't any dumb questions? :)
 
Ramshot Silhouette is a versatile powder that is not easy to find. It is suitable for handgun calibers ranging from .380acp up to 10mm. You should buy it regardless. The deal offered is very fair especially considering how difficult pistol powders have been to find as of late.

Download that Western Powders guide here:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/
 
The only dumb question is the one NOT asked which ends up injuring or killing you or another person.

One of the things I'm most proud of is, this group does not chastise posters.
We all were in your shoes once.

I too, would probably look for other choices for deer hunting, but at $25 a pound that deal woulda been done seconds after it was offered. :D

Congrats on a good powder find!
 
There's a lot of different factors that go into selecting a deer hunting load. Factors to be considered include the expected range of shots to be taken, the size of the animal, hunting regulations, knowledge of anatomy and shot placement, the design and weight of the hunting bullet, velocity, cartridge selection (.38 vs. .357 mag), accuracy of rifle/load combo, shooter skill, etc.

I don't want to make recommendations in the dark or sound like a know it all, because I don't. But others here know tons about deer hunting and would be willing to share their knowledge given specific questions. Maybe the hunting section is a better place for such a discussion. The mods would know best.
 
Silhouette is a good find at that good price! :)

If you have older reloading manuals, it may be listed as WAP (Winchester Auto Pistol).
 
A friend of mine that is retired game and fish officer told me that the most commonly used cartridge deer poachers use is a 22 LR. It's quiet, and very effective when shots are reasonably close, and to the head.

That said, with the right shot placement a 125 gr. 38 spcl. would no doubt kill deer, whether that's a practical choice or not, IMO, I would doubt it.

GS
 
Would the lighter bullet be appropriate for whitetail deer?
Click to expand...
The 125gr bullet can have a flatter trajectory over a heavier bullet, but the heavier bullet will have more energy at distance and better penetration.
If the rifle is chambered for 357 magnum you can load a 357 mag. case to 38 spl velocities with the proper powder.
I load a Xtreme plated 158gr FP with 12.8gr of 2400 in a 357 mag. case for a Rossi mod.92 it moves at just under 1500 FPS. I can load the same bullet with 8.2gr of Accurate #5 in a 357 mag. case for around 1250 FPS.
 
Last edited:
Since Silhouette is the powder in question and 357 has been brought up, neither Western Powders or Winchester (WAP) have ever published loads for this caliber, that I have found.

Otherwise, it is a good all around pistol powder. And you could barter with it for a more suitable powder to ones liking. :)
 
kcofohio said:
Since Silhouette is the powder in question and 357 has been brought up, neither Western Powders or Winchester (WAP) have ever published loads for this caliber, that I have found.

Otherwise, it is a good all around pistol powder. And you could barter with it for a more suitable powder to ones liking. :)
Click to expand...
The book my brother gave me does have it referenced, then when you mentioned it I looked it up as well...

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_7-2-13.pdf

38 Special starts at the bottom left of page 8.
 
Last edited:
Hondo 60 said:
The only dumb question is the one NOT asked which ends up injuring or killing you or another person.

One of the things I'm most proud of is, this group does not chastise posters.
We all were in your shoes once.

I too, would probably look for other choices for deer hunting, but at $25 a pound that deal woulda been done seconds after it was offered. :D

Congrats on a good powder find!
Click to expand...

Since the bullets are "boot" to the deal I'm just trying to decide on a use for them. The price I quoted should have been "$25 and other valuable considerations." While the way to a man's heart is through his ribcage, the way to his powder supply is through his sweet tooth.

A certain unnamed idiot that shall remain my brother is telling me I should have held out for 2400 and he would have shown me loads for .44 Magnum. Guess which one of us has the .44 Magnum rifle/handgun combo...
 
I would check local availability before doing anything. The recommendations to jump on this deal, I assume are from people who live in areas that still have trouble finding this stuff. I'm in NE Ohio and about any powder is on the shelves at the local guns stores, with a price of $23-23 lb. and you can get what you want. Anything will kill a deer if you get close enough, and put it in the right place, but I would highly suggest at least a 158gr., especially if you are considering loading down to .38spl levels. I've never used Ramshot, so don't have an opinion, as I've never known of anyone to load down to .38spl for deer hunting. I guess a warm +P load could probably get you to .357 revolver velocites from a carbine. Is this a .38 spl only rifle or is it a fear of .357 recoil? .357 recoil from a carbine is very mild, and a popular choice for youth here.
 
dumb question

I have never heard a dumb question I was a prison guard for 12 years keep asking and some day you will be able to help someone that is just starting out. Deputy Bruce
 
TimSr said:
I would check local availability before doing anything. The recommendations to jump on this deal, I assume are from people who live in areas that still have trouble finding this stuff. I'm in NE Ohio and about any powder is on the shelves at the local guns stores, with a price of $23-23 lb. and you can get what you want. Anything will kill a deer if you get close enough, and put it in the right place, but I would highly suggest at least a 158gr., especially if you are considering loading down to .38spl levels. I've never used Ramshot, so don't have an opinion, as I've never known of anyone to load down to .38spl for deer hunting. I guess a warm +P load could probably get you to .357 revolver velocites from a carbine. Is this a .38 spl only rifle or is it a fear of .357 recoil? .357 recoil from a carbine is very mild, and a popular choice for youth here.
Click to expand...

The rifle will take 357 mag but I'm not comfortable loading that flavor right at this moment. I'm hoping through a little research and as many dumb questions as I can get you guys to answer to build up my experience level enough to trust my loading the more powerful cartridges.
 
Holy Moly! Another dumb question! (JK, really, JK) :rolleyes:

Personally, I'd suggest you go with .357 Mag. starting loads and a 158 gr. bullet. Tried and true loads. Your gun is strong enough and not a lot of recoil in a rifle. Just pay attention, visually check every powder charge before you seat a bullet and you'll be OK.

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...:D
 
mdi said:
Holy Moly! Another dumb question! (JK, really, JK) :rolleyes:

Personally, I'd suggest you go with .357 Mag. starting loads and a 158 gr. bullet. Tried and true loads. Your gun is strong enough and not a lot of recoil in a rifle. Just pay attention, visually check every powder charge before you seat a bullet and you'll be OK.

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...:D
Click to expand...

Maybe later, for now just slow 38 special loads will suffice. At the moment my goal is to produce quality ammunition. Velocity can come later.

As Edward Young was so often quoted by my home school lit teacher... "Be wise with speed, a fool at forty is a fool indeed." Somehow I would think that would apply to over 1000 fps as much. It just doesn't rhyme as well.
 
Last edited:
Officers'Wife said:
Would the lighter bullet be appropriate for whitetail deer?
Click to expand...


What kind of flat nosed bullets are they? Cast, plated, FMJ? If FMJ they may not be legal for deer in your state.

I hunt deer with .357 outta both revolvers and carbines. If you are going to stay at .38 special velocities, I'd go with a 158 gr JSP, XTP or cast bullet for penetration.
 
"...appropriate for whitetail deer?..." No. The .38 Special is not suitable for deer with any bullet. Varmints on the other hand...
The 1,000 fps start load was likely tested out of a revolver. A rifle will be faster. Pressure is what matters anyway.
Ramshot Silhouette runs $22.49 per pound at Midway. Four pounds runs $76.99. Listed as 'Temporarily Unavailable' though. So $25/lb. is no bargain.
 
Hazmat plus shipping adds considerable cost to all the mail order powder orders. Compared to retail prices at Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc, it is a fair deal.
 
I understand caution, but your gun was designed for .357 and this cartridge is among the easiest, most forgiving cartridges to reload. Caution is good, fear sucks...

Later; Not meant to criticize your reloading "ethics". I'm not "cavalier" about reloading, meaning I have my methods/routines/safety measures that I strictly adhere to. I just wanted to encourage you to try, with appropriate care of course, using something else. Fear can be paralyzing!
 
Last edited:
357 out of a 8 3/8" barrel will /has worked just fine for me may not be ethical to some hunters but if you are a enthusiast and do you home work w/ the rest its a sport. Please don't stone me!
 
Last edited:
Officers'Wife,
My post #8 was to open the possibility of a load that could be between 38 spl and 357 magnum. I shoot a lot of plated bullets for plinking and plated bullets have a speed limit recommended by the manufacturer, I found that if I have a powder that has data for both 38spl and 357 magnum I can start at the max. charge for 38spl and work my load up to the min. start charge for 357 mag. to stay with in this speed limit. This could be of interest to you down the road.
 
I understand caution, but your gun was designed for .357 and this cartridge is among the easiest, most forgiving cartridges to reload. Caution is good, fear sucks...
Click to expand...


I have to agree, and go one step further, and say that mistakes are less likely to occur with magnum powders, and deviations in charge have less impact. Most powdeers for .38 can be tripled or quadrupled without filling the case. I agree with your brother on the 2400 being a better choice for the whole range of .357 loads. Unique would probably be even better. Start at .38 level, and keep upping it to .357 full Magnum velocities.

Nothing wrong with doing 38s to learn to learn reloading, and plink with, but If you are not confident enough by deer season to load some moderate .357 Magnums, I would highly suggest buying some rather than hunt with .38s.
 
Check and see if the powder container seal is broken. If it is, don't buy it. Mixing different powders is not good and the intact seal is the only way to tell that the only powder in the jug is what is labelled on the jug.

murf
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top