.357 plinking bullet

[andrewjdewitt]

I got a 357 Henry big boy a few weeks ago, and was looking for a cheap bullet to load with. I bought a box of hornady xtp 158g but they are not budget friendly for plinking. Let me know, thanks.

[Unclenick]

Welcome to the forum.

If you want jacketed bullets, you may have to buy in bulk to get what you consider a good price. This is one source. For plinking accuracy, they should be fine. To get less expensive, you will likely have to move into cast bullets. They are a great economy, but to shoot their best, the bore of the gun has to be smooth and you may need to use firelapping or some other procedure to get there. It just depends on how your barrel was made.

[Hammerhead]

Coated cast is the way to go for plinkers in .357 if you ask me. These days that's about all I shoot in my .357 carbine & revolver. No leading and the price is right.
For a levergun you might want to try something like this coated bullet from SNS over 5 grains of Bullseye.
http://www.snscasting.com/38-357-125...-coated-500ct/

[MJFlores]

How about plated?

[skinnedknuckles]

I've had good luck with plated bullets from Berry's and Xtreme and coated bullets from Missouri Bullets in my Rossi Model 92 lever gun across a wide range of velocities.

[Bayou]

Plated should work just fine at the lower velocities you are suggesting.....


Bayou

[AL45]

Shoot lead or plated.

[mattL46]

Plated at lower velocities!!

[shootniron]

Go to Gunbroker and buy powder coated...cheapest way to shoot and you can push them pretty hard if you want and not have to worry about leading.

I cast my own bullets, started powder coating them a long time back and after many years of conventional lubing, I am completely sold on powder coating.

[stubbicatt]

For a relatively small initial outlay of treasure, you can cast your own. I find it a rewarding part of this hobby, and have found nothing to detract from it. I shoot a 160 grain Lyman RNFP bullet with the fat grease groove. I am satisfied with the performance I get from this combination in either my 357 revolver or rifle.

[Average Joe]

I use xtreme plated in my Rossi 92.

[rclark]

I settled on 158g SWCs (cheap like $33 per 500) between 1000 - 1100fps in my six-guns. No need for ear-splitting loads for plinking or even varminting. All my .357s shoot to same POA as I don't change bullets. Sights once set are set. Works for me.

[rodfac]

I settled on 158g SWCs (cheap like $33 per 500) between 1000 - 1100fps in my six-guns.

Well said rclark....we could be twin brothers with a different mother, [shootin' wise that is]. I do cast my own...really like Lyman's 358156 gc or the Mihec copy of it...size 'em to 0.359 or 0.360" for use in my .357's and a vintage Marlin 1894C [which prefers the larger dia.] Skeeter's old load [13.5 gr of 2400] will give me 1100 fps or a bit better; and sub-2" gps at 25 yds from the short guns or the same at 75 yds with a 2.5x scope on the Marlin.

Casting, if you discount the cost of the tools reduces these LSWC's to less than a 1/2 cent a piece. Add a gas check at 3 cents and a penny or two for the powder and you have an authoritative load for most any purpose that's cheaper then any .22 lr nowadays.

Without the gas check, and a target velocity dose of Bullseye or Unique and you're down to a cpl cents a shot! Those two bullets will shoot as accurately as full wadcutters and hold their accuracy far beyond. I can walk them onto an old 20# propane tank at 100+ yards with semi-monotonous regularity. They're also a good deer load out to 75 yds or so.

Rod

[Real Gun]

rclark- No need for ear-splitting loads for plinking or even varminting.

I think most of the load taming is because typical 357 guns are a bit light for caliber. The originals were Smith N-frames with long barrels.

[rclark]

I think most of the load taming is because typical 357 guns are a bit light for caliber

Well, for me, it because I have no need for those hot loads. Shooting 'hot' in my SA Rugers is no problem to handle as there is plenty of weight there to dampen the recoil.... But what's the point of more blast and noise, and quite a bit harder on the gun to boot? I couldn't find an answer to that question so I don't. Accuracy is what I am looking for and I can get that at lower velocities. At the range, the target shows a round hole whether 1000fps or 1500fps.... A reactive target hit with 158g SWC goes down, Steel goes clang, varmints stay dead... Need more smack I go up in caliber and still keep sub-sonic Why I carry .44Spec Bulldog with 240g bullets for CC and carry my .45 Colt with 255g bullets in the woods leaving the .357 home.

[bluetopper]

You can't beat jacketed 38 caliber Armscor bullets for price.

[Real Gun]

You can't beat jacketed 38 caliber Armscor bullets for price.

Except that you also need to buy a taper crimp die.

[Real Gun]

Well, for me, it because I have no need for those hot loads.

Do what you like, but the perception of "hot" is proportional to the gun's weight, barrel length, and accommodation of the grip. Reduction of noise is an indication of having selected the wrong gun. No, the truth is that many 357 Magnum guns are unfit for standard ammunition, even forcing that standard to be changed to milder loading. Fortunately, reloaders can tune their ammo to suit the gun.

[LE-28]

Boy, isn't that the truth. Factory range loads for .357mags are a shadow of what they used to be.

[rclark]

reloaders can tune their ammo to suit the gun.

And suit the shooter's desires/needs .

[Real Gun]

And suit the shooter's desires/needs .

No, it is science; not art, not personal expression, but those things are not mutually exclusive.