.357 180 gr. Hard Cast

Has anyone used one of the 180 gr. hard cast SWC loads, Buffalo Bore and Federal come to mind, on a deer or black bear? Results? I know the .357 is not the ideal round for this, but I'm curious. I have a 6" S&W 586 and I'm considering using it for deer from a ground blind, or tree stand in thick timber next deer season.

I've used the 173 gr. Keith & the 180 gr. LBT style on deer & both worked fine. The 180 gr. slug was fired from my 357 Maximum so the velocity was higher. I think I've taken 3 deer with it. Black bear usually aren't much heavier than a lot of deer but they are more compact, short legs, etc. & so they are built different. So, your 357 magnum will work with those bullets if placed correctly. There are better choices but they will work.

Dick

The Federal 180 gr hard cast are very accurate in my 4" GP 100. I haven't had the chance to use them on any game yet.

my load was 180 grain hard cast gas check slugs from rim rock (they supply buffalo bore) over 13.5 grains of 2400 I got 1290 to 1300 over my chronograph. I shot a big 4- 4.5 year old doe at 60 yards with them this year and was very happy with the results she ran about 50 yards. with the hard cast shoot for the shoulder I did and it just obliterated hers, this was out of a 6.5 inch Blackhawk.

I have loaded some of these for my rifle & they will kill for sure if you can put this bullet in the boiler room.
For hunting within 100 yds or for up close encounters, no problem...

I've taken couple of hogs including a 180 lb. boar with 180gr WFN-GC loaded with enough H110 to get 1,270 fps out of my flattop Blackhawk. If you put the bullet on the right spot, hog will drop.

I use an LBT style I cast myself, WFN type weighs 180-189 with my alloy. 6"GP100 on deer out to about 85 yards, have never recovered a bullet. In the Marlin lever gun it is a sledge hammer.
I run a full tilt over book load by today's data. Excellent accuracy and exceptional speed.
Jeff

One of my favorite bullets is the old Lyman 357446 plainbase. Weighs around 162 grs with my mold/alloy and I push it at a leisurely 1250 fps in an elderly M-19. I haven't shot a deer with it but certainly would with no qualms after doing a few penetration tests in various mediums. A hardcast 180 SWC sounds like just a little more of an already good thing, especially at the range you anticipate... :wink:

Just two centavos...