Good bullet to load for hot .357 out of a 20" rifle barrel.

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

Looking to load for my Ruger 77/357.
I would like to approximate the Buffalo Bore 19A/20 as that shoots very well out of this gun.
Having a hard time finding bullets that are rated for the velocity I want. We're talking 1700-1800fps.

I might like to use it to hunt whitetail someday so there is that to consider.

Any suggestions??

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

Oh and also I am so currently using Bullzeye powder since that's what I load in my .38spls. Would a faster burning powder be more desirable?

iH8DemLibz · Jan 8, 2017

A quality hard cast bullet should get you there.

Hunters Supply. Meister. Oregon Trail. Etc. Check Midway USA.

Most claim no leading up to 1,600fps.

Keep lack of expansion in mind when using hard cast to whack Bambi.

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

iH8DemLibz said:
A quality hard cast bullet should get you there.

Hunters. Meister. Oregon Trail. Etc. Check Midway USA.

Most claim no leading up to 1,600fps.

Keep lack of expansion in mind when using hard cast to whack Bambi.

Yeah I saw some on midway but the ratings weren't great. I wonder if I can somehow obtain the projectiles Buffalo bore uses. Their 180grn Hardcast is perfect.

EKing · Jan 8, 2017

Their 180 hard cast also has a gas check, I believe. I'm not sure if anybody sells bullets with gas checks already installed. Maybe look for the Swift A-Frame for your heavy hunting 357 load.
As for powder, you'll need some W296, H110 or 300MP to get the velocities you want.

iH8DemLibz · Jan 8, 2017

I've loaded thousands of Meister bullets ranging from mild to screaming in 45 LC. Never a problem.

Used a fair share of Hunters Supply too.

A lot of people expect way too much from a cast lead bullet. Hence some of the poor ratings.

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

EKing said:
Their 180 hard cast also has a gas check, I believe. I'm not sure if anybody sells bullets with gas checks already installed. Maybe look for the Swift A-Frame for your heavy hunting 357 load.
As for powder, you'll need some W296, H110 or 300MP to get the velocities you want.

Helpful. Thanks!

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

iH8DemLibz said:
I've loaded thousands of Meister bullets ranging from mild to screaming in 45 LC. Never a problem.

Used a fair share of Hunters Supply too.

A lot of people expect way too much from a cast lead bullet. Hence some of the poor ratings.

Rgr that. I'll probably try a variety of what's available.

Cheesehead · Jan 8, 2017

I looked into this very thing a while back for my Marlin 1894c, but never got anywhere with it. The Buffalo Bore numbers are impressive, and I never found a way to duplicate them on anyone's website or manual.

Bullseye is a fast powder. To take advantage of the longer rifle barrel you'll need something slower, like H110, W296, Lil' Gun or 2400, but like I said, the books don't show these powders approaching Buffalo Bore's numbers.

I did find an internet post that referenced LBT molds and Veral Smith's book "Jacketed Performance With Cast Bullets". He claims his bullets and lube give about 1900fps with a 187gr bullet. However he references using 17 grs of H110, which is 3.5 grs over the max on Hodgdon's website, so proceed at your own risk. Heres a link to what I found
http://www.scoutrifle.org/index.php?topic=2201.0

iH8DemLibz · Jan 8, 2017

Lyman's is a good source for cast bullet information and load data as well.

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

Cheesehead said:
I looked into this very thing a while back for my Marlin 1894c, but never got anywhere with it. The Buffalo Bore numbers are impressive, and I never found a way to duplicate them on anyone's website or manual.

Bullseye is a fast powder. To take advantage of the longer rifle barrel you'll need something slower, like H110, W296, Lil' Gun or 2400, but like I said, the books don't show these powders approaching Buffalo Bore's numbers.

I did find an internet post that referenced LBT molds and Veral Smith's book "Jacketed Performance With Cast Bullets". He claims his bullets and lube give about 1900fps with a 187gr bullet. However he references using 17 grs of H110, which is 3.5 grs over the max on Hodgdon's website, so proceed at your own risk. Heres a link to what I found
http://www.scoutrifle.org/index.php?topic=2201.0

Good post thank you.

BossmanPJ · Jan 8, 2017

No help on the load just wanted to ask how you liked the rifle? Been considering picking one upon the future if I can find one.

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

BossmanPJ said:
No help on the load just wanted to ask how you liked the rifle? Been considering picking one upon the future if I can find one.

I like it very much. Just know that it is really a 100yrd gun, maybe 150 max because of the round. Both accuracy and energy suffer past that range. But the versatile nature of the rifle, along with the fact that I'm already set up to load for it makes it very fun for me.

Just fyi I believe they discontinued the 77/357 this year so like you suspect it might be a tough get.

sxs · Jan 8, 2017

BigT5g said:
Oh and also I am so currently using Bullzeye powder since that's what I load in my .38spls. Would a faster burning powder be more desirable?

There is no faster burning powder. If you have 6 to 8 inch barrel (or longer), use a slower burning powder that will accelerate the bullet down the barrel a bit further and won't reach peak pressure as quickly. Bullseye is designed for light target loads. Oops, missed it is a rifle. Use a relatively slow powder

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

sxs said:
There is no faster burning powder. If you have 6 to 8 inch barrel (or longer), use a slower burning powder that will accelerate the bullet down the barrel a bit further and won't reach peak pressure as quickly. Bullseye is designed for light target loads. Oops, missed it is a rifle. Use a relatively slow powder

I've only loaded for Handgun thus far. Slower powder for rifle makes total sense thanks!!

Biggfoot44 · Jan 8, 2017

Brian Pearce wrote a colum on this for Handloader. If you want jacketed expanding on purpose, the ones that expanded w/o blowing up ( the bullet, not the gun) were 158 XTP, 158 Gold Dot, and the discontinued Speer 146 half jacket HP.

And 1700-1800 fps from 20in is factory loads. Pearce's warm loads were running 1900-2000fps with 158gr . For those vels Lil Gun , 296, and H110 . 2400 and AA9 could edge out factory loads, but not get 1900 .

For what it's worth, B. Pearce he considers a .357 rifle * so loaded * favorably over 150gr .30-30, and reports they do well on Mule Deer.

Pinecone · Jan 8, 2017

BigT5g said:
Oh and also I am so currently using Bullzeye powder since that's what I load in my .38spls. Would a faster burning powder be more desirable?

There is not much faster than Bullseye.

I would say slower for the longer barrel.

Pinecone · Jan 8, 2017

EKing said:
Their 180 hard cast also has a gas check, I believe. I'm not sure if anybody sells bullets with gas checks already installed. Maybe look for the Swift A-Frame for your heavy hunting 357 load.
As for powder, you'll need some W296, H110 or 300MP to get the velocities you want.

I have seen cast rifle bullets with gas checks.

Here is a 180 grain, hard cast, with gas check:

https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product-category/pistol/?filter_caliber=358

redeemed.man · Jan 8, 2017

BigT5g said:
Looking to load for my Ruger 77/357.
I would like to approximate the Buffalo Bore 19A/20 as that shoots very well out of this gun.
Having a hard time finding bullets that are rated for the velocity I want. We're talking 1700-1800fps.

I might like to use it to hunt whitetail someday so there is that to consider.

Any suggestions??

I want this same rifle, how do you like it?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

BigT5g · Jan 8, 2017

Pinecone said:
I have seen cast rifle bullets with gas checks.

Here is a 180 grain, hard cast, with gas check:

https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product-category/pistol/?filter_caliber=358

Exactly what I was looking for! Ordered 100 to try.
Anything different about loading bllullets with a gas check?

Good bullet to load for hot .357 out of a 20" rifle barrel.

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