Your experience(s) with 158 grain JHP winchester slugs in 357 magnum?

Ben Shepherd · December 22, 2006, 12:59 PM

I was given A BUNCH

of 158 grain winchester notched jacketed hollowpoints for Christmas. The thing is I've only ran XTPs or gold dots for jacketed slug use for this application.

So my questions are:

Have you found them to be as accurate as the hornady or speer slugs?

How fast can they go before they turn into a varmit bullet?

I've had bad results with thier rifle slugs, so I've never pursued them in pistol before.

Scorch · December 22, 2006, 01:50 PM

I've reloaded Winchester bullets for a long time in both pistols and rifles. You can push the 158 gr JFP to the limits of your pistol without them blowing up. The 158 JHP is OK, but not as tough, so don't use it on critical big game applications.

I have no problems with Winchester rifle bullets. Perhaps not as paper accurate as the Hornadys I also load, but a lot cheaper, and the varmints can't tell the difference between them. You get what you pay for. I don't expect a 5 cent bullet to perform as well as a 13 cent bullet.

Ben Shepherd · December 22, 2006, 02:07 PM

Scorch, how fast are you talking? I've ran XTPs and gold dots clear to 1600.

I'm thinking these will start coming apart around 1400ish.

Are they capable of 2" at 25 yards in a good gun?

amamnn · December 22, 2006, 04:30 PM

I've used Winchester bullets in my .357 mags, but found them to be almost as inconsistent in weight as Speer, so I no longer use them. Certainly the price was right for the bullets you have and I'm sure they are fine for practice/plinking.

.357 mag varmint bullet? You're talking about urban varmints?

Ben Shepherd · December 22, 2006, 04:56 PM

Varmits:
Jackrabbits, coyotes, etc.

Varmit bullet status:
How fast can they go before they just start to explode on impact rather than mushroom? I'm thinking around 1400, given thier conventional construction.

HSMITH · December 22, 2006, 11:00 PM

They are good accurate bullets, but they aren't XTP's. In my experience XTP's are incredibly accurate. They also aren't as tough as an XTP, but I haven't done any scientific testing in that regard. Use them to practice and load XTP's for hunting.

pumpkinheaver · December 23, 2006, 12:04 AM

I shoot a bunch of them every year when I practice with my .357 blackhawk and model '94 winchester. I use XTP's on game but these I use for practice, they are pretty accurate at least out of my guns.

Ben Shepherd · December 23, 2006, 09:57 AM

Thanks guys. What you're telling me is exactly what I expected. Perfect.

About 14 grains of 2400, I'm thinking for an all purpose, all gun 357 load then. Easy math too: 500 rounds per pound of powder.

This should put me around 1250-1300 in say, a 5.5" blackhawk, and into varmit bullet territory in a 24" rifle barrel.

As for "serious" work, like you guys I use XTPs or gold dots. In fact I usually use the 180 XTPs for big critters.

629 shooter · December 23, 2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Are they capable of 2" at 25 yards in a good gun?

The Win 158 JHPs have been able to exceed that rather easily in my experience. I have tested many 158 grain 357 loads for accuracy with a scoped revolver and a TC single shot too.

See the right hand target which is 12 shots at 25 yards using an older lot of Win 158 JHP. At the time the revolver wore a 4X Redfield and was fired from a solid rest.

Ben Shepherd · December 23, 2006, 12:25 PM

629-Thank you, sir.

Now I'm off to the loading press.

629 shooter · December 23, 2006, 12:55 PM

No problem , I need to order some more Winchester 158s myself. Good luck!

pumpkinheaver · December 25, 2006, 12:50 AM

629 you ever use them on game? Just curious.

Scorch · December 25, 2006, 03:55 AM

Ben-
My loads push the 158 gr at right around 1500 fps. Accuracy is fine, no problems with in-flight disintegration. Like I said, don't use the JHPs on big game, they won't penetrate very well, but the 158 JFP penetrate just fine. The Winchesters are actually a pretty good bullet.

ziggy222 · December 26, 2006, 12:14 AM

i did'nt have as good of luck as others with that bullet but i used it in the slower 38special.i found it very unaccurate.

Toolman · December 27, 2006, 06:41 AM

They must be a popular bullet. I ordered some from Midway and they were backordered. I got my order filled on the third re-stocking.

Ben Shepherd · December 27, 2006, 09:12 AM

Scorch, I'm not worried about "in-flight" disintegration. I was more concerned about "blow up" on impact.

From what folks have said on this thread it sounds like what I thought though:
Keep impact velocity under 1400 if I expect any penetration. I was more concerned with the accuracy issue.

But if my rugers and winchesters will shoot this slug as accurately as 629 shooters guns do, I'll be plenty happy with them.

snuffy · December 27, 2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

No problem , I need to order some more Winchester 158s myself. Good luck!

I just did, they should be in my hands tomorrow! 36.99/500 bullets, from midway! My blackhawk needs some work done to it, a new barrel and some other stuff, so it may not like them. Must be time for a new DA revolver!?

629 shooter · January 1, 2007, 03:40 AM

Quote:

629 you ever use them on game? Just curious.

Never used them on any game.

Quote:

My blackhawk needs some work done to it, a new barrel and some other stuff, so it may not like them. Must be time for a new DA revolver!?

It's always a good time for a new revolver!

I want to try out some of the Win. 158s in my Blackhawk too. The BH does great with the 140/158 XTPs , hope it likes the Winchesters like my 686 does.

December 22, 2006, 12:59 PM	#1
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Your experience(s) with 158 grain JHP winchester slugs in 357 magnum? I was given A BUNCH of 158 grain winchester notched jacketed hollowpoints for Christmas. The thing is I've only ran XTPs or gold dots for jacketed slug use for this application. So my questions are: Have you found them to be as accurate as the hornady or speer slugs? How fast can they go before they turn into a varmit bullet? I've had bad results with thier rifle slugs, so I've never pursued them in pistol before. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 22, 2006, 01:50 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I've reloaded Winchester bullets for a long time in both pistols and rifles. You can push the 158 gr JFP to the limits of your pistol without them blowing up. The 158 JHP is OK, but not as tough, so don't use it on critical big game applications. I have no problems with Winchester rifle bullets. Perhaps not as paper accurate as the Hornadys I also load, but a lot cheaper, and the varmints can't tell the difference between them. You get what you pay for. I don't expect a 5 cent bullet to perform as well as a 13 cent bullet. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 22, 2006, 02:07 PM	#3
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Scorch, how fast are you talking? I've ran XTPs and gold dots clear to 1600. I'm thinking these will start coming apart around 1400ish. Are they capable of 2" at 25 yards in a good gun? __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 22, 2006, 04:30 PM	#4
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I've used Winchester bullets in my .357 mags, but found them to be almost as inconsistent in weight as Speer, so I no longer use them. Certainly the price was right for the bullets you have and I'm sure they are fine for practice/plinking. .357 mag varmint bullet? You're talking about urban varmints? __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

December 22, 2006, 04:56 PM	#5
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Varmits: Jackrabbits, coyotes, etc. Varmit bullet status: How fast can they go before they just start to explode on impact rather than mushroom? I'm thinking around 1400, given thier conventional construction. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 22, 2006, 11:00 PM	#6
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	They are good accurate bullets, but they aren't XTP's. In my experience XTP's are incredibly accurate. They also aren't as tough as an XTP, but I haven't done any scientific testing in that regard. Use them to practice and load XTP's for hunting.

December 23, 2006, 12:04 AM	#7
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	I shoot a bunch of them every year when I practice with my .357 blackhawk and model '94 winchester. I use XTP's on game but these I use for practice, they are pretty accurate at least out of my guns. __________________ Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya.

December 23, 2006, 09:57 AM	#8
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Thanks guys. What you're telling me is exactly what I expected. Perfect. About 14 grains of 2400, I'm thinking for an all purpose, all gun 357 load then. Easy math too: 500 rounds per pound of powder. This should put me around 1250-1300 in say, a 5.5" blackhawk, and into varmit bullet territory in a 24" rifle barrel. As for "serious" work, like you guys I use XTPs or gold dots. In fact I usually use the 180 XTPs for big critters. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 23, 2006, 12:25 PM	#10
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	629-Thank you, sir. Now I'm off to the loading press. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 23, 2006, 12:55 PM	#11
629 shooter Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2002 Location: IN , USA Posts: 967	No problem , I need to order some more Winchester 158s myself. Good luck! __________________ "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

December 25, 2006, 12:50 AM	#12
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	629 you ever use them on game? Just curious. __________________ Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya.

December 25, 2006, 03:55 AM	#13
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Ben- My loads push the 158 gr at right around 1500 fps. Accuracy is fine, no problems with in-flight disintegration. Like I said, don't use the JHPs on big game, they won't penetrate very well, but the 158 JFP penetrate just fine. The Winchesters are actually a pretty good bullet. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 26, 2006, 12:14 AM	#14
ziggy222 Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 184	i did'nt have as good of luck as others with that bullet but i used it in the slower 38special.i found it very unaccurate.

December 27, 2006, 06:41 AM	#15
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	They must be a popular bullet. I ordered some from Midway and they were backordered. I got my order filled on the third re-stocking. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

December 27, 2006, 09:12 AM	#16
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Scorch, I'm not worried about "in-flight" disintegration. I was more concerned about "blow up" on impact. From what folks have said on this thread it sounds like what I thought though: Keep impact velocity under 1400 if I expect any penetration. I was more concerned with the accuracy issue. But if my rugers and winchesters will shoot this slug as accurately as 629 shooters guns do, I'll be plenty happy with them. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor