.357 Buffalo Bore 158 gr. JHC vrs. 180 gr. LFN

[captainjoe]

I am planning to carry my .357 Magnum with me hunting this year as a backup and short range gun for deer hunting. I have been looking at heavy round for the .357 at http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php...duct_list&c=20 The two options are:

180 gr. L.F.N. -G.C. (1,400fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.) versus 158 gr. J.H.C. (1,475fps/M.E. 763 ft. lbs.) for big critters like deer? My gut instinct is to go for the 180 gr, but bigger is not always better and I don't know if JHC in a smaller bullet would have an advantage over LFN in a larger bullet.

Any advice and opinions greatly appreciated.

 

[Husker_Fan]

I shot a large doe at 35 yards with one of their 180 LFN from a six inch GP-100. I was thoroughly impressed with the performance of the round.

I would choose the 180 over the 158. You lose 75 fps, which means almost nothing for this application. The 180 should penetrate better which is good if you hit a bone in the shoulder. The 158 might not deflect or breakup, but the 180 is even less likely to do so.

 

[MCgunner]

$$$$$$$$$$$$

Good rounds if you can't handload. It's been many years since I used a factory load for hunting. If the BB lives up to the claims, it'll take anything up to and including black bear. My handloads chronograph right at the BB claims from my Blackhawk, so I tend to believe their claims. I ain't giving THAT much money for ammo just to test, though. I'd rather shoot my own.

 

[Husker_Fan]

They are pricey, but they work really well. I've started reloading, and after I go through the box of BB I have, I'll be rolling my own.

MCgunner,
Can you recomend a source for hardcast 180 grn GC bullets?

 

[MCgunner]

I shoot XTP 180 JHPs, personally, very accurate and penetrate well. I've shoulder shot hogs up to 200 lbs and have complete penetration at about 20 yards. (hog was in the trap, I was testing) I cast my own from a 158 grain Lee gas check mold. With the gas check, they weigh 165 grains. I've taken three deer with that bullet. It's moving at 1470 fps from my Blackhawk powered by 14.5 grains of 2400. 17 grains of Lil' Gun does it, too, with a bit less pressure and REALLY works out of my carbine to the tune of 1900 fps.

 

[dougwx12]

Their 180 loading is impressive. If I was going to use a 158, there are much cheaper loadings from almost everyone that will work fine.

 

[T.R.]

I killed this cow elk with 357 MAG using 158 grain hollow tip ammo by PMC.

TR

 

[mbt2001]

If you are using the gun for back up, you might just want to load regular .38's. Supposing you want to put another cap in the deer / hog or whatever you are hunting, you couldn't want the noise and blast of a .357...

Also depends on what you are hunting. If I am in the Bush for Grizzs I would certainly have a large bore handgun with full power loads. For whitetail or the like, I would just have something for coup de grace purposes or for incidental (rabbits, squirrel) camp dinner. .22 works. The .38 is an under used hunting round these days. Great for small game. The .38 is at it's best when things are under 100lbs, preferably under 60lbs.