Speer .357 Deep Curl bullets

[David LaPell]

Since I have time until hunting season next year to hopefully work on some .357 and .38-44 loads I decided to order some new bullets. I got a really good deal on some 158 grain .357 Speer Deep Curl hollowpoints. I have some load data for some .38-44 loads with the Outdoorsman of 13.0 grains of 2400 which should give me a muzzle velocity of 1,100 fps, I will dig up some .357 loads for my Model 27 later. Has anyone used these bullets and actually hunted with them in either a handgun or a rifle. Eventually when I recuperate some more I will load them up and get out and do some penetration/expansion tests.

 

[jdr308]

Haven't yet in my 357 but just used them to take a deer this year in my 45 colt winchester rifle. No tracking involved, bang/dropped in her tracks. The doe was facing me at an angle and I shot right in between the center of the chest and the left shoulder. The bullet was lodged on the opposite side by the shoulder,under the hide. It broke ribs and did a lot of meat damage,but I have to blame myself for that because of where I shot it. The bullet weighed 140's after hitting the deer and was originally a 250gr bullet to start. Last year I used the same bullet to finish off a deer that was shot by another hunter. The buck was standing at about 60-70yd and I shot just behind the shoulder,"text book shot". Another bang/flop. Bullet passed clear through,with entrails hanging out the exit hole. It seems to be a great hunting bullet for my colt and I bet it would be in the 357 also.

 

[sailorb]

I have used the deep curl, fomerly known as the Gold Dot soft point, in my .44 Mag for a number of years. They work great, usually a one shot bang and drop. I would expect no less from the .357. I would say that with the .357, shot placement would be a bit more critical due to the lighter bullet and less energy. I have done some testing on the Speer 135 gr Gold Dot short barrels and found that they retain 130gr plus weight when recovered. I have never recovered a deep curl, but have recovered all deer shot with them.