MidRoad
Member
Going to start off with this, I know .357 is not the ideal round for deer sized game and that there are much better choices. I have a 45 colt Blackhawk (full size frame) and a flattop 44 special. I've settled on factory hardcast from Underwood for both those calibers when out and about deer hunting.
Now with that said I'm looking to pick my hunting load for my 6" gp100. I've done alot of reading via the Google machine and answers are all over. So i would like input from the handgun gurus on this board.
Conditions:
-Hunting side arm in upstate NY. Large deer up here .Shots would be within 50 yards/bow range.
-I don't handload so has to be factory or boutique ammo.
Thoughts:
-Lots of folks say 180gr hard casts. Which I'm all for but I have two concerns.
1) not sure if the gp100 likes hardcast and will lead,need to test.
2) Penetration with HC would be very good. But not sure how decent of a wound channel the .357 will generate. With big bore you have a big bullet, but medium bore.... Not so much, and I'm wonder if a quality hollow point would be better in a medium bore. Using beartooths bullet wound tract calculator a 180gr hard cast with a a. 280" meplat going 1400fps should make a .87" wound channel, which honestly doesn't sound bad, but would a HP be better on deer?
Ammo I'm looking at:
Underwood
-180gr hardcast 1400fps
-158 gr JHP (bonded Speer) 1500fps
158 JHP (nosler) 1500 fps
Buffalo Bore
-180gr hardcast 1400fps
-158 JHC 1475fps (not sure the bullet, would really like to know)
-180 JHP (xtp) 1500fps
Federal
-180 HP (swift aframe) 1130fps
-158 JSP (American eagle) 1240fps
-140 HP (solid copper Barnes) 1400fps
Double tap
-158 BHP (gold dot) 1500fps
Out of those suggestions has anyone had any real world experience?
I'd like to try the federal in swift A-frames, I hear really good things about the aframe on this site, but it seems a little anemic velocity wise compared to other rounds listed. I listed the American eagle JSP because that's what I have in the safe and what the go is sighted in for currently.
The speer nosler and gold dots seem to be solids choices but I'd like to hear about people who have actually used them.
The Barnes seems like it would be good aswell sinces it's solid copper and should retain it's weight. Little on the light side ,but what do you expect from a solid copper bullet.
Lastly the XTP used by buffalo bore. That 180gr hollow point sounds ideal. But I've read mix things about XTP performance on this forum, so that concerns me.
So if anyone has real world experience please share. I know this is over thinking it. But that's why I'm on a gun forum, to learn and discuss. Again please no " get a bigger gun posts" that's not helpful.
Now with that said I'm looking to pick my hunting load for my 6" gp100. I've done alot of reading via the Google machine and answers are all over. So i would like input from the handgun gurus on this board.
Conditions:
-Hunting side arm in upstate NY. Large deer up here .Shots would be within 50 yards/bow range.
-I don't handload so has to be factory or boutique ammo.
Thoughts:
-Lots of folks say 180gr hard casts. Which I'm all for but I have two concerns.
1) not sure if the gp100 likes hardcast and will lead,need to test.
2) Penetration with HC would be very good. But not sure how decent of a wound channel the .357 will generate. With big bore you have a big bullet, but medium bore.... Not so much, and I'm wonder if a quality hollow point would be better in a medium bore. Using beartooths bullet wound tract calculator a 180gr hard cast with a a. 280" meplat going 1400fps should make a .87" wound channel, which honestly doesn't sound bad, but would a HP be better on deer?
Ammo I'm looking at:
Underwood
-180gr hardcast 1400fps
-158 gr JHP (bonded Speer) 1500fps
158 JHP (nosler) 1500 fps
Buffalo Bore
-180gr hardcast 1400fps
-158 JHC 1475fps (not sure the bullet, would really like to know)
-180 JHP (xtp) 1500fps
Federal
-180 HP (swift aframe) 1130fps
-158 JSP (American eagle) 1240fps
-140 HP (solid copper Barnes) 1400fps
Double tap
-158 BHP (gold dot) 1500fps
Out of those suggestions has anyone had any real world experience?
I'd like to try the federal in swift A-frames, I hear really good things about the aframe on this site, but it seems a little anemic velocity wise compared to other rounds listed. I listed the American eagle JSP because that's what I have in the safe and what the go is sighted in for currently.
The speer nosler and gold dots seem to be solids choices but I'd like to hear about people who have actually used them.
The Barnes seems like it would be good aswell sinces it's solid copper and should retain it's weight. Little on the light side ,but what do you expect from a solid copper bullet.
Lastly the XTP used by buffalo bore. That 180gr hollow point sounds ideal. But I've read mix things about XTP performance on this forum, so that concerns me.
So if anyone has real world experience please share. I know this is over thinking it. But that's why I'm on a gun forum, to learn and discuss. Again please no " get a bigger gun posts" that's not helpful.
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