Silvertip .357 145gr on Deer???

[mos]

Shot some of these out of my scoped 1894C at the range last weekend and they printed average 5-shot, 100yd groups measuring 1.6875". That’s almost twice as accurate as the 3” groups I get from the load it’s sighted in with now, which is Remington HTP 180gr.

My question is, will the ST hold together on deer out to 125yds or so? I estimate that they’ve got a MV of about 1,865fps based on other’s chrono data, so 3” MPBR is about 165yds with retained velocity of 1,245fps and energy of 499fpe at that range. I don’t really have longer shots than 100-125yds on my property, though.

Still getting my reloading setup going, so using commercial for now.

Anyone have direct experience hunting with this load, even out of a revolver?


mos

[Coalsmoke]

I would think Silver tips would be fine for deer. I fully intend to try them soon. I just came into a Blackhawk and several boxes of them.

[JimT]

I was with my friend Mike when he shot a nice size Whitetail buck with his .357 Marlin. He used 140 gr. factory .. I think Winchester but it's been long enough I am not sure. Whatever it was, it worked just fine, giving more than enough penetration. The deer was down rapidly. Deer are not hard to shoot through. Even their bones are soft comparatively speaking.

[jmiller]

I’m absolutely sure they’ll work fine at those velocities. I’ve shot over fifty deer with .357mag handguns and another dozen or so with a couple of different rifles in .357mag and .357max. The ONLY bullets I ever had a problem with were Hornady 158g XTP’s driven beyond 2300 fps. At almost 2400 fps they started coming apart at about 30% before even reaching a paper target. That was with the .357max, not the .357mag. Yes, there is a speed limit on pistol bullets, but well beyond what you’re shooting. FWIW, I’ve never lost a deer hit with the .357mag out of a handgun. My only loss was a deer hit with a 240g Hornady XTP shot from a 44mag. A bad hit is a bad hit and no matter the caliber, you can lose deer. I have shot deer with the Silvertips in my .357mag revolvers, but I found that the Hornady 158g shot as well and were a lot easier to find.
Note: your gun may like the fact that the lighter bullet shoots better simply because of twist rate. If your gun is 1:20 twist (common in rifles) it may be too slow for the 180g bullets.

[mos]

Thanks for the confirmation, gents!

On the twist rate, I think it’s 1:16 so should be okay for heavier bullets.

I need case prep gear, scale, dispenser, case cleaner and dies, then I’m g2g with my reloading setup. Already have sufficient bullets, brass, primers and powder to get started with .38/.357, 9mm, .45, 8x57, .308, .30-06 and 6.5 CM (been acquiring for literally years), and I have a Redding T-7 still boxed.

Definitely will try different bullet weights for the scoped 1894C, as well as its sibling which wears a steel Lyman 66 instead. Family pictures attached below.

I’m just glad that the carbine has proven accuracy potential. TBH, I’m actually thrilled about the groups I got with the Silvertips. I’ll take 1.625” in a sweet little carbine any day!


mos

[Scott Tschirhart]

That was the issue load for the Texas Highway Patrol Troopers for a while and it was my issue load when I was a Deputy. I know what it will do from a four inch revolver and it is impressive.

Instant death on a monkey at 40 yards.

[AJMD429]

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Not only a good load, but a good GUN, and a good SHOOTER...!

[mos]

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Not only a good load, but a good GUN, and a good SHOOTER...!

Thanks, man! Appreciate that!

mos

[mos]

That was the issue load for the Texas Highway Patrol Troopers for a while and it was my issue load when I was a Deputy. I know what it will do from a four inch revolver and it is impressive.

Instant death on a monkey at 40 yards.

If that equates to instant death on a deer at 100 from an 18.5” carbine (and I think it does)… I’ll take it!

mos

[wvfarrier]

I know for a fact that the 135 grain Gold Dot is an absolute deer slayer out of a Marlin 1894, so I would think that a 145-ish would be as well

[mickbr]

Wvfarrier thats interesting to know. Thats the 38 special designed bullet, expands down to 850fps or so. Never tried it at carbine speeds as I thought it would be frangible.

[mos]

I know for a fact that the 135 grain Gold Dot is an absolute deer slayer out of a Marlin 1894, so I would think that a 145-ish would be as well

I guess my concern was really about bullet construction and whether or not the Silvertip 145 would hold together well in the 1,750 - 1,850fps velocity range (MV and down a bit, basically a 0-50yd deer scenario).

So I don’t think it’s really about bullet weight, is it? More about jacket bonding, etc.

When you shot the GD 135 out of the 1894, did you chronograph it?


mos

[Griff]

Just like in real estate, effectiveness is all about Location, Location, Location.

[Scott Tschirhart]

That's a pretty good revolver round and I never shot it through a carbine. However, I would not worry about it holding together. I don't think it will make 1750 in a Marlin barrel. It only does about 1250 in a 4 inch revolver.

[wvfarrier]

Wvfarrier thats interesting to know. Thats the 38 special designed bullet, expands down to 850fps or so. Never tried it at carbine speeds as I thought it would be frangible.

I load it to 357 mag "light". About half way between 38+p and full magnum, creates a very accurate load with almost no recoil. My wife and kids love it

[mickbr]

Good to know that, wvfarrier. Im with your family on that power level too, does better work than most would think.

[CowboyTutt]

Personally, I have contacted the bullet manufacturer about what terminal velocities the bullet was meant for rather than experiment. The people who built the bullet know what it was designed for better than anybody. This information is often already public now but in some unusual circumstances of velocity, calling the company is the best bet IMHO. -Tutt

[mos]

Personally, I have contacted the bullet manufacturer about what terminal velocities the bullet was meant for rather than experiment. The people who built the bullet know what it was designed for better than anybody. This information is often already public now but in some unusual circumstances of velocity, calling the company is the best bet IMHO. -Tutt

That’s sound advice. A call to Winchester may be in order.

mos

[CowboyTutt]

Go to the source my friend! Go to the source. -Tutt

[horsesoldier03]

IMO, I would feel more comfortable with a Soft Point. However, the reality of all reloading components available right now, you go with what you can find.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I have often said that I could comfortably live the rest of my life with one factory load for the .357. The 158 gr red box Federal American Eagle soft point. It isn't loaded terribly hot but it does the job in rifle and revolver.