good non jhp defense load in 357 magnum - Page 2

Thumper · May 25th, 2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackeagle

Cor-Bon loads the all-copper Barnes bullets in their DPX line. They're excellent rounds and my usual carry ammo.

Yeah, that's what I was going to recommend... excellent SD round!

pete00 · May 26th, 2009, 06:51 AM

Thx for the futher infos.

I will visit my local gunstore and check if the corbon dpx rounds are available. @ku4hx Yes, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider an an soft lead bullet loaded at 38 special velocties for sd. I am not a reloader yet, do you if there are some factory loaded 38 special loads with cast bullets?

@Rugergirl I will buy the .4 inch model.

pete00 · June 27th, 2009, 06:35 AM

In the meantime I have baught my Ruger. I have already tried it at the range and it is an great sixgun.

ps: What do you think about the 158 grain remington softpoint load? Will an sp bullet work for sd? I will use the corbon dpx as my primery defense load, but these stuff is not available yet. In august it should be available in austria.

Hamour · June 27th, 2009, 10:17 AM

The Remington 158gr softnose round will work well in the self defense mode. It would be the factory load I would use facing your restrictions.

You could mold up some Keith SWC hollowpoints out of 20 to 1 lead tin mix. This will expand and you can drive it faster than a jacketed bullet.

You can even go to 25 to 1, but leading might become a problem.

Lead hollowpoints work best if cast with out antimony (wheel weights). The pure lead/tin mixes remain ductile and do not shatter when expanding. The lead/tin/antimony mixes are brittle.

This web site has a lot of info on lead bullets. A man name Mihec is making wonderful Cramer Conversion molds for casting hollowpoints. He is in eastern europe.
Cast Boolits - Dedicated To The World Of Cast Bullets!

You are not at a disadvantage because of your laws, the cast bullet can deliver better speed for the same pressure and equal expansion. You just have to develope a load for your particular revolver, and learn how to cast, size, lube and load them.

Good luck.

pete00 · June 27th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Hamour Thx for your tipps and the very intersting link. I think using cast bullets is good idea.

Hamour · June 27th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Pete00, I glad to be of help.
The sad fact is, that since the advent of commonly available, reliably expanding, jacketed bullets. Both hollow point and soft nose. We have lost a lot of info on the qualities of cast bullets. Sites like Castboolits brings that knowlege back to life.

Now to your specific issues, in the .357 magnum, a cast bullet can be driven very fast compared to its jacketed counter point. A 158gr jacketed bullet from a 4" bbl is going to make 1200 to 1275 fps. It's lead counter point can easily make 1300 to 1375 for the same pressure. The lead bullets friction is much less than the copper jacket.

Alliant 2400 is a good medium to maximum .357 mag powder. Regular or mag primers make it work.
H-110 or WW296 use only mag primers and should only be used at max levels.

Goodluck and enjoy the new revolver.

cvhoss · June 27th, 2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete00

In the meantime I have baught my Ruger. I have already tried it at the range and it is an great sixgun.

ps: What do you think about the 158 grain remington softpoint load? Will an sp bullet work for sd? I will use the corbon dpx as my primery defense load, but these stuff is not available yet. In august it should be available in austria.

The Remington 158 Grain Semi-Jacketed Soft Point is an excellent choice. I have used that same bullet design in my 44 mag. handgun hunting loads and it performs extremely well. Given your limitations, I think this would be your best choice.

Federal also makes ammunition which is the same design, depending on what may be easier to find in your location.

Hoss

pete00 · June 27th, 2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamour

Pete00, I glad to be of help.
The sad fact is, that since the advent of commonly available, reliably expanding, jacketed bullets. Both hollow point and soft nose. We have lost a lot of info on the qualities of cast bullets. Sites like Castboolits brings that knowlege back to life.

Now to your specific issues, in the .357 magnum, a cast bullet can be driven very fast compared to its jacketed counter point. A 158gr jacketed bullet from a 4" bbl is going to make 1200 to 1275 fps. It's lead counter point can easily make 1300 to 1375 for the same pressure. The lead bullets friction is much less than the copper jacket.

Alliant 2400 is a good medium to maximum .357 mag powder. Regular or mag primers make it work.
H-110 or WW296 use only mag primers and should only be used at max levels.

Goodluck and enjoy the new revolver.

Thx for the the great advices. As I am a newbie am very greatfull for every tipp I can get concering reloading.

@cvhoss Thx for the links. I think it would be no problem to get the ferderal load too. But the remington load would be a bit cheaper.

BikerRN · June 27th, 2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackeagle

Cor-Bon loads the all-copper Barnes bullets in their DPX line. They're excellent rounds and my usual carry ammo.

+1 I agree.

Also, if it's JHP's that are illegal, what about using a semi-jacketed hollow-point?

Granted, we may be splitting hairs here, and it may not be worth the potential trouble. I do like the Barnes bullets, for what it's worth. That's what Corbon is using, as already noted, in their DPX line of bullets. If I could get a decent supply of them, and they came in 50 Round boxes, I'd order a case per caliber for every defensive gun I own.

Biker

pete00 · June 27th, 2009, 03:33 PM

@Biker I must admit I haven't checked out if sjhp would be prohibited or not. But that's not necessary. I will buy some 158 grain jsp loads for sd, and then in august if I can get the dpx line I will buy them.

ps: Would be an 357 mag sjhp load in an sd situation more effectiv than an jsp round?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 26th, 2009, 06:51 AM	#12
pete00 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austria Posts: 39	Thx for the futher infos. I will visit my local gunstore and check if the corbon dpx rounds are available. @ku4hx Yes, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider an an soft lead bullet loaded at 38 special velocties for sd. I am not a reloader yet, do you if there are some factory loaded 38 special loads with cast bullets? @Rugergirl I will buy the .4 inch model.

June 27th, 2009, 06:35 AM	#13
pete00 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austria Posts: 39	In the meantime I have baught my Ruger. I have already tried it at the range and it is an great sixgun. ps: What do you think about the 158 grain remington softpoint load? Will an sp bullet work for sd? I will use the corbon dpx as my primery defense load, but these stuff is not available yet. In august it should be available in austria.

June 27th, 2009, 10:17 AM	#14
Hamour Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas / Saudi Posts: 55	The Remington 158gr softnose round will work well in the self defense mode. It would be the factory load I would use facing your restrictions. You could mold up some Keith SWC hollowpoints out of 20 to 1 lead tin mix. This will expand and you can drive it faster than a jacketed bullet. You can even go to 25 to 1, but leading might become a problem. Lead hollowpoints work best if cast with out antimony (wheel weights). The pure lead/tin mixes remain ductile and do not shatter when expanding. The lead/tin/antimony mixes are brittle. This web site has a lot of info on lead bullets. A man name Mihec is making wonderful Cramer Conversion molds for casting hollowpoints. He is in eastern europe. Cast Boolits - Dedicated To The World Of Cast Bullets! You are not at a disadvantage because of your laws, the cast bullet can deliver better speed for the same pressure and equal expansion. You just have to develope a load for your particular revolver, and learn how to cast, size, lube and load them. Good luck.

June 27th, 2009, 12:53 PM	#15
pete00 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austria Posts: 39	Hamour Thx for your tipps and the very intersting link. I think using cast bullets is good idea.

June 27th, 2009, 01:51 PM	#16
Hamour Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas / Saudi Posts: 55	Pete00, I glad to be of help. The sad fact is, that since the advent of commonly available, reliably expanding, jacketed bullets. Both hollow point and soft nose. We have lost a lot of info on the qualities of cast bullets. Sites like Castboolits brings that knowlege back to life. Now to your specific issues, in the .357 magnum, a cast bullet can be driven very fast compared to its jacketed counter point. A 158gr jacketed bullet from a 4" bbl is going to make 1200 to 1275 fps. It's lead counter point can easily make 1300 to 1375 for the same pressure. The lead bullets friction is much less than the copper jacket. Alliant 2400 is a good medium to maximum .357 mag powder. Regular or mag primers make it work. H-110 or WW296 use only mag primers and should only be used at max levels. Goodluck and enjoy the new revolver.

June 27th, 2009, 03:33 PM	#20
pete00 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austria Posts: 39	@Biker I must admit I haven't checked out if sjhp would be prohibited or not. But that's not necessary. I will buy some 158 grain jsp loads for sd, and then in august if I can get the dpx line I will buy them. ps: Would be an 357 mag sjhp load in an sd situation more effectiv than an jsp round?