Good evening men.
I'm looking for some 357 load data for some hot defensive loads. In no particular order, these would be used primarily for black bear, whitetail, and 2 legged varmints.
I have found 3 loads that I am wanting to try and I'm going to write them down to make it easier if you know of one that may be better, please let me know. Also, all of these charges are the max listed charge so actual numbers will probably come in a little lower than advertised.
The first.
The velocity of it is supposed to be through a 10 inch barrel in their data. Which is long for a revolver and short for a carbine and kind of skews the data, but I also use a single shot NEF Pardner with a 16 inch barrel sometimes when I'm hunting. But let's pretend that I'm only going to be using a 6 inch revolver in the meantime because that is mostly what I carry when I'm checking my trail cameras and walking up to the cabin.
I have shot some of these and they have some kick to them. You can really feel the butt of the gun digging into your hand when you fire them.
125 gr Hornady XTP bullet
9.7 gr Longshot ~1647 fps (10 inch barrel)
1.590" COL
42,000 (Cup--I don't know why they didn't just do psi for their chamber pressure, but this is what's listed in their data)
------------------------------------
Load 2 looks the most promising to me in a few different ways. Data is also with a 6 inch barrel and when I'm hunting with the carbine, should add some velocity. How much I don't know because the powder burns pretty quick which makes the pressure peak quick, but at least some increase in velocity should be observed in the longer barrel anyway.
Also, the chamber pressure is lower, which makes me think there will be less recoil and allow little faster follow up shots if I need them and those two reasons are why I am favoring this recipe at the moment.
125 gr Hdy XTP bullet
18.0 gr Enforcer powder (~1667 fps 6 inch barrel
1.580 COL
32,570 chamber pressure
-------------------------------------
Load 3 looks pretty similar to load 2 though has higher pressures and lower velocity.
125 gr Nosler JHP bullet
15.6 gr #9 powder (~1567 fps 6 inch barrel)
1.575" COL
35,178 chamber pressure
-------------------------------------
Now for a @nitesite question. Do you think the powder coated cast 158 gr wadcutters will foul up the barrel from the hotter faster burning powders? Or should I stick with jacketed bullets for those HD and hunting loads.
I know I'll have to use different data drop the charges some because of the heavier weight bullet and I know velocity would drop from the heavier bullets too, but for bears, I prefer a hardcast bullet with the most penetration to get way down into the vitals rather than expanding in their thick fat.
That was just another thing I was thinking of.
So, I come asking for advice and guidance.
I'm looking for some 357 load data for some hot defensive loads. In no particular order, these would be used primarily for black bear, whitetail, and 2 legged varmints.
I have found 3 loads that I am wanting to try and I'm going to write them down to make it easier if you know of one that may be better, please let me know. Also, all of these charges are the max listed charge so actual numbers will probably come in a little lower than advertised.
The first.
The velocity of it is supposed to be through a 10 inch barrel in their data. Which is long for a revolver and short for a carbine and kind of skews the data, but I also use a single shot NEF Pardner with a 16 inch barrel sometimes when I'm hunting. But let's pretend that I'm only going to be using a 6 inch revolver in the meantime because that is mostly what I carry when I'm checking my trail cameras and walking up to the cabin.
I have shot some of these and they have some kick to them. You can really feel the butt of the gun digging into your hand when you fire them.
125 gr Hornady XTP bullet
9.7 gr Longshot ~1647 fps (10 inch barrel)
1.590" COL
42,000 (Cup--I don't know why they didn't just do psi for their chamber pressure, but this is what's listed in their data)
------------------------------------
Load 2 looks the most promising to me in a few different ways. Data is also with a 6 inch barrel and when I'm hunting with the carbine, should add some velocity. How much I don't know because the powder burns pretty quick which makes the pressure peak quick, but at least some increase in velocity should be observed in the longer barrel anyway.
Also, the chamber pressure is lower, which makes me think there will be less recoil and allow little faster follow up shots if I need them and those two reasons are why I am favoring this recipe at the moment.
125 gr Hdy XTP bullet
18.0 gr Enforcer powder (~1667 fps 6 inch barrel
1.580 COL
32,570 chamber pressure
-------------------------------------
Load 3 looks pretty similar to load 2 though has higher pressures and lower velocity.
125 gr Nosler JHP bullet
15.6 gr #9 powder (~1567 fps 6 inch barrel)
1.575" COL
35,178 chamber pressure
-------------------------------------
Now for a @nitesite question. Do you think the powder coated cast 158 gr wadcutters will foul up the barrel from the hotter faster burning powders? Or should I stick with jacketed bullets for those HD and hunting loads.
I know I'll have to use different data drop the charges some because of the heavier weight bullet and I know velocity would drop from the heavier bullets too, but for bears, I prefer a hardcast bullet with the most penetration to get way down into the vitals rather than expanding in their thick fat.
That was just another thing I was thinking of.
So, I come asking for advice and guidance.