Best Hard-Cast Bullets for Medium Game Hunting

Hard-cast bullets for hunting medium game should be cast from alloys containing at least 2-3% tin and 6% antimony for proper hardness, typically measured at 12-15 on the Brinell scale. Softer alloys will deform on impact with heavy bone, while overly hard bullets may shatter rather than penetrate. The 158gr flat-nose hard-cast remains the gold standard for whitetail deer and similar-sized game, driving through shoulder bones and delivering deep wound channels.

For hunting applications, look for wide meplat (flat nose) designs that create larger permanent wound channels compared to round-nose bullets. A flat nose measuring 60-65% of bullet diameter cuts tissue more effectively than pointed or round profiles while still feeding reliably in most firearms. Quality cast bullet makers like Missouri Bullet Company, Penn Bullets, and Rim Rock Bullets offer excellent hard-cast hunting bullets in various profiles, or you can cast your own using proven molds from Lyman, RCBS, or Lee.

Gas check designs – bullets with a copper cup crimped onto the base – allow you to push hard-cast bullets to higher velocities without leading your barrel. For 357 Magnum hunting loads running 1300-1400 fps, gas checks become almost essential unless you’re using very hard alloy and proper lubrication. The additional cost is minimal compared to the improved accuracy and reduced barrel maintenance.

I've got those sort of hardness numbers using cleaned range scrap and quenching into a big bucket of cold water. @DsJ I have a FP mold that throws a 163gr bullet. I will be casting and powder coating a batch in the net 10 days or so. I'd be happy to send you a packet to try out if you'd like.   

Posted by: @oafpatroll

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 @DsJ I have a FP mold that throws a 163gr bullet. I will be casting and powder coating a batch in the net 10 days or so. I'd be happy to send you a packet to try out if you'd like.   

I would appreciate it very much! 

The 163gr seems like a great inbetween bullet for hunting. Folks seems to prefer 158gr or 180gr.

Buy yourself some Impala solids, they make very killing holes, very ! I am not a Impala for rifle fan, but they do take handgun to next level. All that get it right hardness etc done dusted - only issue sometimes is if rollie does not like them.

Posted by: @ds-j

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I would appreciate it very much! 

The 163gr seems like a great inbetween bullet for hunting. Folks seems to prefer 158gr or 180gr.

I'll let you know when they are ready.

Posted by: @ds-j

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Posted by: @oafpatroll

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 @DsJ I have a FP mold that throws a 163gr bullet. I will be casting and powder coating a batch in the net 10 days or so. I'd be happy to send you a packet to try out if you'd like.   

 

I would appreciate it very much! 

The 163gr seems like a great inbetween bullet for hunting. Folks seems to prefer 158gr or 180gr.

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I do not believe the 158 gr bullets will be very successful for table fare, perhaps monkeys or rabbits, but not pig and buck. With the limited velocity available, mass is exchanged for velocity. The heaviest usable bullet with the deepest or through and through ability will always win - thats why the heavy flat fronted or the lighter flat or cutting edge bullets were settled on. You are wanting to achieve with a hand gun is a exit wound with a permanent wound channel, if you hitting bone or CNS, anything will work. I seem to believe the Impala bullets cut a very clean - straight line through body, the Elmer style flat front does the same but the wound channel is often mushier, more "blockable" which I BELIEVE, my opinion   stops bleed out efficiency and also when blocking wound channel aids breathing - a bit like blocking a lung, chest wound with pressure to aid breathing.   

 

I am who I am - I am not who you want me to be.
Therefore I am me.

 

Posted by: @treeman

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Buy yourself some Impala solids, they make very killing holes, very ! I am not a Impala for rifle fan, but they do take handgun to next level. All that get it right hardness etc done dusted - only issue sometimes is if rollie does not like them.

They only list a 110gr .38 truncated cone HP bullet under handgun and a sharp pointed .358 under rifle. Which one are you referring to for us in a 357?

@treeman: 

Impala's 357 handgun bullets are 110gr CHP and would travel at an estimated 1250-1350fps. 

Their sharp cutting shoulder work well - I have experienced that with my 222, long ago. 

Would a regular WC or CN lead bullet not have the same effect?

Posted by: @oafpatroll

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Posted by: @treeman

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Buy yourself some Impala solids, they make very killing holes, very ! I am not a Impala for rifle fan, but they do take handgun to next level. All that get it right hardness etc done dusted - only issue sometimes is if rollie does not like them.

 

They only list a 110gr .38 truncated cone HP bullet under handgun and a sharp pointed .358 under rifle. Which one are you referring to for us in a 357?

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.38SPL 110 gr CHP/50 Bullets R380,00

 

I am who I am - I am not who you want me to be.
Therefore I am me.

 

@ds-j No as explained in my post.

Here is a link to the Impala 110gr 357 bullet

Handgun Reloading

Posted by: @treeman

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The heaviest usable bullet with the deepest or through and through ability will always win - thats why the heavy flat fronted or the lighter flat or cutting edge bullets were settled on.

 

.38SPL 110 gr CHP/50 Bullets R380,00

That's on the very lightest end of the spectrum of bullets to use in a 357. I'm not following your reasoning. Do you favour heavy and slow or light and fast?

Posted by: @oafpatroll

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Posted by: @treeman

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The heaviest usable bullet with the deepest or through and through ability will always win - thats why the heavy flat fronted or the lighter flat or cutting edge bullets were settled on.

 

.38SPL 110 gr CHP/50 Bullets R380,00

 

That's on the very lightest end of the spectrum of bullets to use in a 357. I'm not following your reasoning. Do you favour heavy and slow or light and fast?

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Cummon Oaf ! We know mono bullets are lighter, have to be to stabilise  and that they rely somewhat more on velocity. On a none expanding bullet as much velocity as can be achieved is a common goal. Far more energy(I think its energy)  can be obtained by velocity than weight - double you weight to double your energy, double your speed and quadruple your energy. 
I favour very fast or very heavy for hunting, personally I have only used the heavier 357 bullets in Elmer style slow and heavy and Impala at velocity. Both punch through hogs, and do not kill with any speed I like, If I handgun hunt again it will always be on bone shooting. 
I personally on hogs felt the Impalas were better, but they were only liked by some barrels. They were crazy accurate in my S/W 357, but hand size grouping in the Ruger.

 

I am who I am - I am not who you want me to be.
Therefore I am me.

 

That's more clear. Your previous posts appeared to contradict one another.