357 defensive rounds from a lever gun

[Schwarf]

I will soon purchase a Henry Big Boy, either the 20" or the carbine 16.5" length, as a range toy. That being said, there's no reason I shouldn't have some defensive rounds for it, just in case.

I would think I would want different rounds from the lever gun vs a pistol, as the extra barrel length would add to the velocity considerably.

What are my best choices here?

 

[Shaq]

Any JHP or FP that feeds in the rifle would be fine. Just avoid RN or any pointed bullet; that can set off the primer of the round in front of it. If you want to shoot RN or pointed ammo, only have one in the magazine & one in the chamber.

 

[Snyper]

People tend to overthink these things.
Any projectile you'd normally use in a 357 will do a fine job for self-defense.

 

[Varminterror]

What does well in the revolver tends to do well in the rifle. I run heavy pills with slow powders in both, both tend to get the most out of my cartridge.

 

[redbullitt]

XTP bullets will do very well out of your carbine, better than the pistol most of the time since you will probably be over 1600 FPS easily. I like them for deer hunting from the carbine... Mine has a shorter barrel than either of your choices, so I am only getting 1550 FPS, but they do a good job.

 

[ECVMatt]

I use XTP hollow points in my .357 rifles. They hold together well and make a nice wound channel. I used this bullet to take a couple of hogs and it basically dropped them on the spot from about 25 yards.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I load a lot of 357 for revolver and bolt but no levers here.

XTP is a very good bullet and 158 gr is a good weight.

Any middle of the road revolver load should work just fine.

 

[Reefinmike]

357 from a long barrel is an excellent cartridge. I see an increase of 400-500fps when going from a 6" revolver to a 16" levergun. I have a 164gr powder coated lead bullet getting right at 2,000fps from my levergun. 1550fps with that same load from a revolver. A member here "choppinblock" is on youtube and did a test with underwood's 158gr xtp offering. Its pretty dang impressive as well but you may want a sturdier bullet for that kind of velocity. Hornady makes a flat point xtp bullet for component use. Not sure If anyone offers that bullet in a loading. I load it but haven't tested it for expansion yet.

 

[WVRJ]

I shoot 180 gr Partitions in my Marlin 1894CP with H110 powder.It'll shoot 1 inch groups at 50 yards when I put the small aperture in the peep sight.I've killed a few whitetails with it,and they usually drop on the spot out to 75 yards or so.

 

[CraigC]

I would stick to 158gr and heavier. Going against the grain here on bullet selection. Seen too many XTP failures to trust them, especially at speeds well above what they're designed for. Prefer a bonded bullet, like the Gold Dot.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I prefer the Lyman 180 grs..357 cast bullet from Linotype and gas checked. I shoot these from a S&W Mdl.27 3.5" and an imported reproduction of a Colt Lightning pump rifle. The rifle a typical import has some unknown wood covered with a walnut finish. My hand loads out of the 26" barrel is turning at 2,000 fps. But the Taurus unknown wood is cracking. As we say, if you want to run with the Big dogs don't pee like a puppy. The Taurus may not survive.

 

[Crowman]

I have a Marlin 1894C set-up with Ghost Rings but got a lighter, handier stainless 16" Rossi R92 with a Skinner rear sight as a companion for my GP100 Match Champion when ridge walking. For both, I chose commercial loads from either Buffalo Bore or Grizzly 180 grain hard-cast RNFP or various factory 158 grain JSP. I use hand-loads made up of 158 grain hard cast Keith style SWC and 180 grain cast RNFP. Same loads that I use in my revolver. Eliminates confusion, that way. I prefer hard cast bullets and use them, but also occasionally load premium jacketed heavier bullets from Speer, Nosler, etc. These bullets have a wide meplate. Heavy 357 magnum loads out of a rifle can approach 30-30 levels. I don't feel under gunned in the woods with a .357 magnum carbine.​

 

[GRIZ22]

I use 125 JHP or 158 swc in a revolver. My 357 levergun is zeroed for 158 gr bullets as both get better expansion from the higher velocity. The POI is not much different out to 100 yards between the 158s and 125s. You'll be shooting much closer in a SD situation.

My advice is to use whatever is accurate and feeds well in your levergun. Don't be concerned with the bullet weight. If you find a load that works well in both revolvers and lever guns all the better.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I suppose most any 357 round from a rifle would be fine for self defense, I routinely carry a 357 16.5" barreled lever gun when hiking. My preferred round is the HSM 180 grain, RNFP gas checked, hard cast, and USA made in Montana. Recoil with this bear stopper is quite pronounced, yet manageable, but not for delicate snowflakes.

 

[Pudge]

Hornady's XTP line has an FP line designed for higher velocity: http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Cal-.357-158-gr-FP-XTP/ The FP is good to 1800fps, where as the regular XTP is good to 1400 fps http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Cal-.357-158-gr-HP-XTP/

 

[Panzerschwein]

The Henry would not be my first choice fot a defensive lever due to the tube magazine assembly making reloads slow and liable to fumbles.

But if you're okay with that, I'd use Speer Gold Dots. 158 grain.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

My first choice would be a 125 gr. jhp or sp. especially if over penetration is an issue. Otherwise just about any expanding bullet.

 

[M1key]

OP: Defensive loads against what? Hornady 158 XTP ahead of 14.0 gr 2400 gives about 1630 fps, penetrates denim covered gel to 18-20 inches, expands to almost .70" out of an 18 inch M77 and groups like this:

 

[Deaf Smith]

Try offerings from Buffalo Bore. 158 gr JHP at over 2000 fps ought it do it!

Deaf

 

[Macchina]

I load mine with 158 grain Hornady XTP (hollowpoint) as well. Putting a healthy load of H110 (max according to Lyman's Manual) I get 1,746 FPS out of my Ruger 77/357. 2 deer have fallen to this load. One went through both shoulders and lodged under the far side hide, bullet was intact and mushroomed picture perfect. The next shot was in a lot of fog and I hit the deer a little low. It broke her leg, went through the sternum, and cut her windpipe: bullet was a passthrough and the deer ran about 120 yards.