Bullet hardness for 38/357 Rossi 92

[Johnnyjr]

I have read a few articles on bullet hardness for the 92 rifle.
I noticed 2 different places where people are finding that a softer alloy is better suited for accuracy.
Has anyone else found this to be true ??
All of my commercial bullets are like 16 bhn. I don't cast any more.

Looking for advice on this for maybe deer hunting. Appreciate any thing you can add to this. Thanks,johnny

[COSteve]

I've found the most accurate bullets out of my .357 Mag Rossis (both 20" carbine and 24" rifle) are Zero 158 grn JSP bullets with a healthy dose of Lil'Gun powder, not cast lead.

[Johnnyjr]

Really. I use only cast bullets so far,as I have so many.

[Gunny268]

Just a quote about the OP's subject from a gentleman more knowledgeable than me. "Internal ballistics is complex and then couple it to a bullet made of an unknown alloy and that spells FUN (Further Understanding Necessary) that is only had by actually shooting."

[Johnnyjr]

Amen to that. Thanks

[Reese-Mo]

In general -

Hard cast bullets should be sized very closely to the bore they'll be shot out of.
Hard cast bullets tend to withstand high velocities
Hard cast bullets need stouter charges in order to fully obturate into the grooves
Softer cast bullets usually shoot better at lower velocities, especially with unknown sizing in relation to the bore and with mild loads

JohnnyJr if you're not casting/sizing/lubing/loading your own, but instead buying commercially available bullets, you'll just have to try each, and see what you get.

[Johnnyjr]

Guess you're right about trying them all. Thought about jacketed bullets but they get pretty expensive. Thanks

[Gunny268]

Johnnyjr...I'm still casting for 357 mag and 45 Colt. My "Rule of Kiss" (because I'm stingy) has left me at the following points of methodology.
1) for 357 mag plinking I've settled on a load for accuracy which is a 130 gr powder coated RNFP. Zippy Lil' sucker too if pushed with some CFE-P.
2) for 357 mag on smaller critters (Ferrel Dogs and Coyotes) a 125 gr. SJSP.
3) for 357 mag on anything bigger I'll use RD's 180 gr. (gas checked). Some use Lil Gun, but I've developed a greater appreciation for H110.
4) for 45 Colt I shoot the "RCBS 270-SAA" over some HS6 for EVERYTHING. (BHN is about 12-15)
Just my 2 cents worth...hope it helps.

[Johnnyjr]

I had to give up casting due to health issues in my lung. I been casting off and on since the early 80s.. but I really like that 358429 bullet..

[Johnnyjr]

What are the RD bullets