So after reading a lot about the 357 mag I though since I bought the wheel gun so cheap why not keep it for sometime. So now the game is what is the best lead cast round for this caliber? I do my own casting I don't mind having to buy more then one mold but what I'm trying to find is perfect balance something that can be used in light plinking 38 spl or 357 mag to a good round that can take down deer size game.

Any advice would help as right now I'm just looking at starting to reload and cast for this wheel gun have new respect for it I guess it will just take a little longer for me to buy that 45LC hunting wheel gun but then I would have the best of both worlds!

I am happy using plated or even  lead 158 gr semi wad cutters in both 38 spl and 357 mag.
Bullseye or Unique in the 38
2400 in 357

You should not push lead bullets at high velocities because of leading the barrel. Xtreme brand plated bullets say they hold up to faster velocity, and have been ok for me.

Can you gas check 357 Mag to get hotter loads with lead?

My current cast lead 357 mag load is 162 grain SWC bullet cast from an obsolete Lyman mold.
Wheel weights or reclaimed range lead work fine for this.
I'm driving this bullet to 950 fps with 5.5 gr of Unique and just about any small pistol primer.

158gr cast SWC would work just fine with that charge also.

I don't think the gas check is a must if you get the correct bullet size and hardness. I have some "hard cast" 41's that actually shoot better as do not lead the barrel, when driven to magnum velocity. These bullets are around 18bhn hardness. I bought these a long time ago I did not cast them myself.

I have not tried to do this with the .357 yet. I use jacketed bullets in it for magnum loads but don't see why it would not work.

I have tried very soft bullets in my .357 These are Lee 158gr SWC. I cast them at 8bhn. I shoot them from a 4 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk .357 loaded in .357 brass and driven with 4.5gr Bullseye. This is not a TL(tumble lube) design so I lube them twice with the A-Lox lube. Of course I would not be posting this if they did not work well.

I have found casting for blue steel barrels is on average easier than stainless barrels. In fact I no longer have a beautiful SS Security Six because no matter what I tried the lead would stick to the bore like a magnet.

Gas checks are a good idea on pushing the lead to 357 velocity.
I was going down that road until I began using the plated bullets.

I don't cast my own bullets (yet), but adding gas checks are cheap enough insurance

Hunting?  Buy a factory 357 load.  You won't need very many.  A box of 50 could last your lifetime.

Plinking, however, will consume vast quantities of ammo.  Get a round nose lead bullet mold.  158 gr is "the standard" but a 125 gr bullet would be okay, too.  The 180 gr bullets have noticeably more recoil, so don't get that except for special purposes (bowling pins, falling plate machine, etc).

The Lee 158 RNFP is one of my favorite bullets for full-powered stuff.    I run that bullet over 16 grains of H110.   It runs 1300fps(ish) out of my 4" GP100 and I have zero issues with leading.   Same bullet goes over 1650 out of my Marlin 1894c and I don't have any issues leading with that gun either.

If you're looking for a mid range load, try the 158 grain Lee TL SWC bullet.   I run that one with 6.5 grains of Unique.   I haven't chronographed that bullet, but my uncalibrated wrist chrono says it runs around 1000-1100fps.  

If I was using my pistol as a sidearm for a deer or elk hunt, I'd probably run the RD 175 grain bullet over 16.0 grains of H110.  

Don't worry about gas checks in .357 mag.   Save your money for other things like more lead.  

If you have a .357 Max T/C barrel that you want to wring out, then you use 190 grain Ranch Dogs @ 1900-2000fps and use a gas check.  

I have the Lee mold that is like a 158 gn round flat nose and it works fine at magnum or plinking velocities.  I also use the Lyman 170 gn Kieth style mold.  It works very well at high and low velocities as well.  I use W231 for the slower stuff like in 38spl loads and H110 for the magnum loads.  Both bullets seem to work well but for some reason I really prefer the heavier bullet at all velocities...it just hits the target harder I guess...oh, you gonna have to work up your own loads...they gunna shoot different from your gun anyway and the loads I fire through my ruger may not be safe in another gun anyways...just saying

as far as a versatile handgun is concerned you will be hard pressed to beat a good 357 mag

Gas checks are a waste.  If you think you need a gas check, just buy a jacketed bullet, instead.  Gas checks are not a cheap alternative.

I used to load a cowboy action bullet, a 158gr flatpoint. It was fantastic in revolvers and lever actions.   I lost that supplier though.

My second choice would be a 158gr Keith style semi-wadcutter.  I don't bother with gas checks unless I'm working up a cast hunting load.

Sounds like the 158 gr is the best to mold. Now does it do better as a HP or just lead round? Since I'm casting and able to make HP or solid lead I thought I'd ask. Also how well does the 158gr round work in 38spl? I have one wheel gun in 38spl not that I use or shoot it much but I do have brass left over and 38 brass I can get cheaper.

This.

I'll add from my experience: 2400 for mild magnum loads, Bullseye/Clays/Trail Boss/etc. for light target loads. All using a standard small pistol primer (I prefer Winchester).

I would stay with the solid tip unless you are hunting small critters. Hand gun hunting enthusiasts even recommend heavy (160 range) non hallow point jacketed bullets for deer size game. It seems with this caliber and velocity penetration is the main focus not expansion.

BTW: I agree that gas checks are not needed. I can easily get 18bhn with my lead/linotype allow and that will stand up to healthy loads of W-296 or similar.

Thanks I was thinking of buying a 158gr mold for shooting and everyday use then a 180gr mold for hunting.

If you cast your own, you can cast hard bullets that won't need gas checks.  You can buy hard cast bullets as well.  Just be aware that not all cast bullets are equal, some are hard cast, some are softer and some are not cast, but "swaged" and these are usually really soft.

The softer bullets are okay for .38 special velocity plinking/practice loads but not for magnum loads.

For practice loads I've used bullseye or Unique powder and .38 special or .357 magnum brass.

For heavy/magnum loads I used 2400 or H110.  If you do use some plated or jacketed bullets I'd even suggest trying some Blue Dot.  I had some very good loads many years ago using Blue Dot powder.