357 revolver for deer

[358156 hp]

Technology today is vastly different and Elmer would be overwhelmed by the changes. Hell, just the changes in bullet lube alone would be frustrating. I've never seen anything yet that Elmer said would work that didn't work, at least in the context of his time. But we've had a lot of positive changes, and some that aren't all that positive.

 

[johnnyjr]

358429 is the bullet I may choose to use . But everyone in the article I have read claim better results with the 358156 which is a gas check bullet..

 

[Bret4207]

Just because one bullet shoots good for a bunch of people, much less one person, isn't proof it's the BEST!!! In your case, shooting 38/44 type loads, there's no reason assume a GC will make things better than a PB. I started out in 38 cal with a 358156 because it was the only 38 mould on the shelf, not because I needed a GC. I also started out altogether with a 311316 GC mould and Lee 405 gr FP plain base. I was shooting all three at about 12-1300 fps and all three worked. GC's make things easier as far as handling pressure goes, but there are plenty of PB bullets that work well at the same velocities.

You should also consider a lot of "experty" type experts on line may have never put a single PB 358429 down the pipe!!! It's old fashioned and not cool! It's one of that cowboys designs from back in the 30's!!! Never for a second think that there isn't lots of bias revolving around St Elmer!!! And that's not even adding in that his designs have been monkeyed with drastically and still called "Keith designs". It all adds up to the bias you see today. His designs aren't perfect, but I have yet to see one that doesn't work pretty good if you get the fit right.

 

[Brad]

So true Bret.
I keep trying to get my Marlin 357 to read up on how well the 358156 shoots in it but no dice. The rifle just isn’t buying it. After getting 6-8” groups at 50 yards with about any load I almost gave up.

 

[fiver]

if you got the mold,,, just buy some gas checks.
they are like what? 40 bucks a thousand.
by the time you need a second order you'll have figured the gun out, and you'll increase your range by 30-40 yds. in the meantime.

don't overthink this, it's just shooting,, go do more of it and you'll have pretty much all the answers you need.

 

[johnnyjr]

All very good advice from the good guys on the web.. very much appreciated I'm sure.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

IMHO,

Since powder coating, Gas checks are a moot point on pistol or revolver bullet fried from a pistol or a revolver.

As you may use same in a Carbine or rifle you may find favor with a GC.

This is largly based upon velocity and as we well know pressure plays a larger part in the equation. So for me, most rifle will benifit but one may find perfectly acceptable results with only powder coat.

One caviot for my self, I always find better accuracy from or with the use if a GC on a GC designed bullet.

CW

 

[JustJim]

I prefer the 358156 over 358429 for the simple reason that loads worked in my old Blackhawk will work in any 38 or 357, without leading, and usually giving decent (4" at 50 yards) accuracy. Maybe not the best load for one individual revolver or another, but solid usin' loads that tend to hit near point of aim in fixed-sight handguns. I've never gotten the same results with a plainbased bullet (even though with a couple of loads in a couple of particular guns, I've had loads with 358429 that were as good or better as the results I got with 358156).

My usual 38 load is basically a ballistic duplicate of the +P FBI load, and goes about 950 fps from my 4 5/8" Blackhawk. I've been using recovered range lead for bullets, but have recently gone to using 30:1 alloy and have been dabbling with pure lead and lead w/2%. Zero leading problems so far (something that can't be said for the factory FBI loads in most guns). I haven't been able to put together a similar general-purpose-in-multiple-guns load using a plain-based bullet. I've got a 38/44 load using the same powder and bullet, but don't keep it around as it is pretty hard on J and K frames. My usual .357 load uses the same bullets, at about 1,300 fps from the same B'hawk.

The gas-checked bullet also seems to require less work-up for a new load when I have to switch powders.

 

[358156 hp]

Gas check bullets have always seemed to be less fussy about small details to me than plain base. My first .357 mag cast successes were with gas checks. My skills have since improved, and I'm not dependent on them now for success but I'm not ready to discard them by any means. It's the sum of the total package that makes casting bullets successful anyway. Not all features have benefits.