Henry Rifle Forums

Has anyone used these bullets in their Henry 357mag? Good or bad choice?

357 / .38 158 Gr. Rocky Mountain ThunderCast Semi Wad Cutter.

I've never used their bullets but after looking at them, I can't see any reason they shouldn't work

I'm pretty sure they will be just fine.

I've heard good things about them. I've been using Xtreme plated in my Henry. The hollow points are my favorite. Xtreme has creeped up on their prices, but shipping is low, and they frequently run sales. I have been very happy with their products.

I have found SWCs run in the Henry, but HP, RNFP, and TC seem to feed smoother.

Does it make much difference if the diameter is .357 as opposed to .358?

Accuracy with cast bullets is supposed to be much better at .001 over groove diameter. If you call Henry they can tell you the groove diameter. They told me the groove diameter is .431 for my Big Boy in .44 Magnum, so for best accuracy I need .432 sized cast bullets. I am ordering some from Penn Bullets. They will make them in different sizes.

The main issue, as I understand it, is naked cast needs the extra diameter in order to obdurate when it enters the rifling. This seals the barrel and hot gases do not travel up the sides of the bullet, melting the lead and depositing it on the barrel.

To put it simply the oversized cast bullets seal up the barrel and keep it from leading.

With plated bullets, leading is not an issue. I have shot plated sized at .357 that had no accuracy or leading issues. .357 cast, on the other hand, caused lots of problems.

Most, if not all, of the plated bullets I have seen are sized at jacketed sizes. There is likely a good reason for this.

Slug the barrel= the only way to be sure.

Travlin wrote:Slug the barrel= the only way to be sure.

+1. Generally, though, lead bullets for 357 magnum/38 special are .358 while jacketed and plated bullets are .357.

RMR semi wadcutters did not work well in my BB 357. I loaded them with 357 brass. The RMR 158 grain semi wadcutters are Keith style bullets. They may work okay if loaded as 38 specials not sure though, I did not try loading them in 38 brass.
I would stick with RNFP myself.

just curious .... was the issue loading or accuracy ?

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