[GH1]

I've posted some of my accuracy issues in a previous post and I'm closer to getting them sorted out. I've settled on 12.2 gr AA#9 under a 158 gr cast RNFP, and while it's still shooting to the right a little bit, I think I can adjust the sights to take care of it.
However, yesterday I loaded the same bullets with 6.0 gr of Bullseye and it shot right to point of aim, unlike the AA#9 that shoots right
Now for my dilemma. I realize the reason we reload is for accuracy and knowing this I want to stick with the Bullseye load, maybe go up to 7 gr or so. However, in two weeks I'm going hog hunting and I don't know if the Bullseye load will generate enough power to do the job on a hog.
Any ideas anybody?
GH1

 

[358 Win]

GH1, I would step up the load with a Maximum charge of ACC#9, at about 15 grains. That should get you into the 1700fps + area and be more
effective than your load of 7gr of Bullseye. I don't know if your plain base 158gr RNFP will withstand that velocity or not but it would not be my
first choice. I use ACC#9 and my own cast 358156 Lyman bullet which weighs 165gr with lube and gas check attached. 15gr of ACC#9 gives me
1751fps and 1.5" groups at 50yds. Never shot a wild hog but have read they can be hard to stop. If you don't cast your own or have access to
gas checked cast bullets, use a Jacketed soft point either hand loaded or store bought. I shoot an 1894C and a 24" barreled 1894CBL. Just my two cents.
358 Win

 

[ochretoe]

I always choose accuracy over power. If you get the gun shooting accurate I would think you could give up a little power. I don't reload yet but a well placed 158gr. bullit will drop a hog. I like to aim just below the ear with smaller bullits and go for heart/lung shots with bigger ones.

 

[GH1]

I think I'll probably adjust my sights for the 12.2 charge, that ought to get me enough power to do the job.
I think I'm going to change bullets and go to a 173 gr flat based rather the the 158 gr bevel base I'm shooting now. I think the flat base will give me better accuracy, at least that's what I've read.
Thanks for the tips guys, hopefully I'll get some more input from some other members. Then I'll be really confused!
GH1

 

[358 Win]

GH1, That 173gr flatbase may be too long in .357 Magnum brass. It's okay in .38 Special cases. Is it the Lyman #358429? I shoot that all the time in my 1894C and 1894CBL with 11.5gr of Alliant 2400 and a standard pistol primer for 1450fps. It's my walk about load when not needing full
power loads. My full power load is the Lyman 358156 cast bullet which weighs 165gr gas checked and lubed. The 358156 bullet has two crimp grooves on it. The upper one for .357 Magnum cases and the lower one for the .38 Special cases.
358 Win

 

[GH1]

Yeah, the OAL is longer than spec, but I was planning on modifying my carrier to allow for it. I have a more serious problem now however. I pulled my rifle out if it's case only to find a broken rear sight. DAMMIT!
I'm leaving on a hunt a week from Friday and I hope I can get it fixed in time.
GH1

 

[papajohn]

I bet you can find a good peep sight pretty quick. Both Lyman and Williams make good ones, and the Skinner stuff is also top-notch, but may not be as easy to get so quickly. I was never a big fan of buckhorn sights myself. Sounds like a good time to upgrade.

 

[GH1]

I was able to take the sight from my Model 60 and put it on the 1894. I got it reasonably set with a bore sight, now I just need a little range time.
I called my dealer since the gun has a lifetime warranty. I figure he can just mail me the sight and I'll install it, that's certainly no big deal.
If waranty repair requires me to send my rifle back to the factory I'll probably just get one from Numrich. A replacement costs $8.00 or so.
I gotta tell you, I was really sweating being able to make my unt happen when i saw that busted sight, I about had a heart attack!
GH1

 

[swany]

Hornady makes a 180gn made for the .357Max but it has two crimp grooves and should make good hog medicine.

Here is a 158 and 180 XTP HP side by side.

 

[Corbi]

My '94 in 357 does the same thing. Seems the hotter loads I shoot the further to the right they land. Wish I could figure it out.

6 grains of Bulleye and a 158 grain boolit is probably not hog medicine. I would go with the stouter load.

Corbi

 

[eaglesnest]

My '94 in 357 does the same thing. Seems the hotter loads I shoot the further to the right they land. Wish I could figure it out.

6 grains of Bulleye and a 158 grain boolit is probably not hog medicine. I would go with the stouter load.

Corbi

My 1894 44 mag never wavered windage wise from load to load or different powders, but my 45 Colt lever gun does with different powders. Trail Boss shoots to the right of Unique by about 3 to 4 inches @ 50 yds. I poised a question about that in the reloading forum and barrel harmonics seemed to be the consensus. I don't know what else it could be but it is very consistent..

 

[GH1]

Swany,
That does indeed look like a good bullet. So which cimp groove do I use with the Mag?
Corbi,
What kind of bullets do you shoot?
Eaglenest,
Is there anything I can do about harmonics? Would different powders help?
GH1

 

[eaglesnest]

Eaglenest,
Is there anything I can do about harmonics? Would different powders help?
GH1

My sense of it (and I don't know how correct I am here) is that each powder has a different pressure spike that sets up a slightly different harmonic that adversely effects some barrels more than others. If it is the powder thats doing this in your gun it is possible you will need to find 2 powders that are accurate, one for light loads one and one for hunting, and stick with them. Maybe get a Lyman receiver peep that you can preset the windage adjustments the same each time. I stopped using Unique and went with Trail Boss not so much because the difference in windage because that can be adjusted for but the difference in group size. When I had the 44 mag barrel on it, Unique got the best groups... : ???