Best bulk 357 ammo?

[pharmseller]

As I enter the reloading world I'm thinking that I should buy some bulk loaded 357s then reload the brass. Prices on components seem to make this a pretty cost-effective strategy.
My question: Magtech looks like the best buy, unless American Eagle (Federal) goes on sale at the local Sportsman's Warehouse. Would the 158 grain SJSP be the best purchase? I might want to hunt deer with it this year.

Quinn

[ursavus.elemensis]

The Hunting Shack did have good prices on bulk (1,000 rounds) 357 in 125 grain FMJ and JHP, particularly the 125 grain FMJ. Their prices for 158 grain ammo was good, better than most anywhere else, but not as good as the 125 grain ammo listed above. However, they have recently, 03-12-08, taken down their price list and they have a notice that they are updating the price lists. I doubt the 357 ammo will still be such a good deal, but probably not as expensive as most other manufacturers/retailers. That was all for newly made/loaded ammo, by the way.

Georgia Arms has 357 RNFP 158 grain lead ammo at great prices per 1,000 rounds, but my Winchester 357 Trapper did not like it. It flew all over the place at 50 yards, and had groups measured in feet, not inches. Your rifle might handle that round differently. Interestingly, mine did just fine with the 125 grain RNFP lead in .38 special. And, the only difference except the weight of the bullet was that the 38 was quoted at 750 fps, and the 357 was quoted at 800 fps. They also have HP ammo in 357, semi-jacketed HP in 158 grain (they label it as JHP but the jacket does not come all the way up around the tip of the bullet). Quoted speed is 1200 fps. And, they have 125 grain gold dot HP in 357. Quoted speed is 1400 fps. Price per 1,000 rounds for the 158 grain HP's is about 350, and price per 1,000 rounds of the 125 grain gold dot HP's is about 390. They have .38 speicals, RNFP lead for something like 200 dollars for 1,000 rounds.

I was at the range this AM with my Trapper, and I compared the Georgia Arms 125 grain gold dot HP's with their 158 grain JHP, and also in the comparison was Remington UMC 357 125 grain JHP which Wal-Mart sells for about 45 dollars for 100 round pack. Bottom line, shooting at 50 yards with a rifle rest, is that my Trapper does best with the Georgia Arms 125 grain gold dot HP's, then with the 125 grain Remington UMC JHP's, and did basically OK with the 158 grain JHP from Georgia Arms. My Trapper does a lot better with the 158 grain JHP's than it did with their 158 grain RNFP lead. MUCH better.

[gon2shoot]

I have reloaded some Magtech brass and wasn't overly impressed, there seemed to be differences in rim thickness running through my dies amoung other things. I didnt measure because I was building plinking loads.
My 2 cents- if you're going to reload make an order to starline brass and a low price bullet co. like Chey cast if you're not ready to cast your own.

You can add 100 rds. of whatever boolit you want for hunting.

[Old Ironsights]

I've had zero problems with Magtech, either shooting or reloading nicely hot.

It's usually your best buy.