Hey Guys, I read this thread from Mike G. on hard cast bullets. I have no real experience to compare what hard cast bullets can do vs. high velocity modern rounds since I have just started using hard cast bullets. I bought a 357 mag Marlin 1894 in 357.

What are the capabilities of a 357 with hard cast bullets in comparison to a 30-30, 308 or 30-06 using jacket modern bullets at ranges under 150 yards.

Please note, I know everybody has their own feelings on this subject. My purpose is to have an unemotional conversation with people who have hunted and seen the results in the field. Please do not use this thread to start any wars over comments here. Here is the thread:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/55

Thanks,

Geoff

I would think that a good hunting bullet for a .357 rifle would be a 180grn ww cast FN gas check bullet that would cycle through your rifle. That would make it less brittle and more likely to expand a little.

In my opinion, the real difference in cast vs jkt comes with the 44 or 45 FN caliber bullets were you don't need expansion and want penetration.

In the rifle calibers you mention, same as the .357. A heavy for caliber softer lead gc FN bullet that's accurate for your gun. It may be easier in the 30/30 to find a heavy bullet that doesn't push the gas check below the case neck because of that long neck.

Bill

Geoff,

At one time I did extensive agricultural depredation work in the orchards of Southern Oregon, taking out blacktail deer. Granted in that locality, blactail deer probably average about 120 lbs, so they aren't large quarry, but none-the-less, my favorite tool for the task at hand was none other than a .357 carbine, loaded with our .358-185gFNGC bullet, loaded over 16.0 grains of H110, and a Winchester primer.

The combination is much more effective and lethal than the paper ballistics would lead one to beleive. Of the scores of deer harvested with the above load, only two took a second shot, one due to a hit too far back in the liver, and I knew I'd pulled the shot and gave a quick follow-up for a humane kill, the other was just me being somewhat over-cautious and gave a second round just as the deer was collapsing. With heart/lung shot deer using this combination, seldom did a deer travel more than thirty yards, with most taking only three or four wobbly steps before piling up.

Out to 125 yards I have complete confidence in the load from about any responsible angle one would shoot a deer, and out to 150 yards with optimal heart/lung shots, no problems.

However, comparing this to a .308 or .30-06 simply isn't a proper comparison, as the .357 isn't in the same league in regard to velocity or trajectory. If you desire a load that will harvest game cleanly, humanely and with a minimum of muzzle report and recoil, the .357 carbine with the above listed load will certainly do the job nicely within some range constraints.

I hope this helps!

God bless,

Hey Marshall, thanks for the reply. My post was not stated clearly. What I meant to say, for shots under 150 yards, it looks like the 357 with hard casts is enough gun. With open sites, I think I would limit my range to under 150yards on deer. Hence my question. Why go for more power when you do not need it. Especially out west here where a big black tail is 180 pounds. Looks like a great SHTF rifle. I have not taken game with hard cast bullets, so I was just looking for practical field experience results.

God Bless,

Geoff