#000 buckshot in a .357 evanix

[MrP]

I’m looking for any information or experience on shooting #000 .360 buckshot like the ballistic products super buckshot out of a .357 barrel, in my case an evanix rex. I have heard some conflicting information and I’m trying to gather enough data to decide if this ammo is an option.

Obviously these are a bit oversized but since they are a sphere the area of contact would be almost nothing if they were sized to match the bore. i read on a forum a roundball would have to be a little oversized compared to a slug in order for the ball to engage with the rifling and not just strip the grooves in the lead.

If anyone has any experience with this I’d appreciate hearing about it.

 

[Sqwirl57]

I'm curious as to why you want to use round ball in the first place? Is it steel round ball? Wouldn't that damage the rifling pretty quickly?

 

[MrP]

Lead - #000 buckshot. It was suggested as a good ammo for .357 airguns in a couple of recent and older discussions and I am following up on those suggestions. A few reasons why one might give it a try:

1) light rounds at 71 grains
2) harder alloy so good penetration
3) much cheaper than slugs or pellets

I’m not saying these reasons add up to it being a good idea I’m just saying these are some of the possible benefits assuming there aren’t any other major issues

 

[sonnysan]

This idea is nothing new. Big bore shooters want to shoot cheaply. I've talked to people who have shot round balls. They aren't that accurate, but they penetrate deeply. Last time I looked, they don't come in .357. Speer round balls are the ones to buy since they don't have burrs on them.
Next step is to test cast vs. swaged bullets. You will have to test just like I have (I've been testing a Sam Yang 909s in .454) to hopefully avoid the high cost of swaged bullets.
Here are a few sites to start your journey:

Hard Cast Bullets

Black powder SPG lead Cowboy bullets, Hard cast lead smokeless cowboy bullets and reloading supplies , hard swaged lead , smokeless bullets and reloading supplies , Cowboy Cartridges with new Starline Brass , Hard cast lead cowboy, IDPA and ISPC Bullets and reloading supplies , Reloading and...

www.meisterbullets.com

38 and 357 Caliber Polymer Coated Bullets | Badman Bullets

Discover the benefits of using our Polymer Coated Bullets in 38 and 357 Caliber, 105 Grain, 125 Grain, 127 Grain, 130 Grain, 158 Grain and 230 Grain

www.badmanbullets.com

I too will start this cast bullet journey with a challenger .357 & Hatsan Hercules .357, but it will be some time since I have so many other guns to attend to.

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

This is a good option for .357 as a lightweigh and pretty cheap bullet, I resize them to .358 and when I order I ask for no lube.

75 Grain Wadcutter (.359) [359-75-WC] - $14.00 : Matts Bullets

Matts Bullets 75 Grain Wadcutter (.359) [359-75-WC] - This little bullet takes low recoil to the extreme! It can also be loaded two to a case or used to top a load of shot in a .357 case.Here is load data for 38 special from the #45 Lyman Reloading Manual

www.mattsbullets.com

 

[jkingrph]

I have a .36 cal flintlock squirrel rifle that takes 000 buckshot, patched of course, perfectly.