pingpingping
Member
What is the best factory .357 load for hunting whitetail? (Please no communist, tree-hugging, ethical bantering)
.357 whitetail round
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buck460XVR
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All the deer I've shot with my .357 fell to 158gr JSPs. Coupla were with cheapo Blazers, coupla were with Remmies. Ever tho I rarely use the .357 with factory ammo for hunting anymore, I still load and shoot a lot of the 158s. I have a really accurate load with 158 GDs I'd like to try on venison some time.
critter
Member
I like penetration in a hunting round. Therefore, I'd prefer any good 180 gr bullet. If you can get a GD or xtp in a 180 gr, it would do the trick if placed correctly.
I have used reloads in 180 XTP's on hogs and they work wonderfully.
I have used reloads in 180 XTP's on hogs and they work wonderfully.
Kingcreek
Member
180 XTPs are the only ones I've used- worked pretty good
Quoheleth
Member
Not to sound "relativistic," but some of it depends on the size of the whitetail you'll be hunting.
I used to hunt Central Texas whitetail - 60-80 lbs (dressed) was average size. I wouldn't have a problem using a good 158gr on them.
I've seen pictures of some bigger deer that run closer to 200lbs on the hoof. For those Muy Grande monsters, the 180grs or maybe a 158 cast HPSWC would be more appropriate.
Take my advice for what it's worth...I gave up deer hunting in '95 after wounding a 12 point and being unable to find it. That, plus my family are not venison eaters, give me reason to "Barney Fife" deer hunt - sit in a stand with one bullet to fight off ferrel squirrels, skunks, rattlers, etc.
Q
I used to hunt Central Texas whitetail - 60-80 lbs (dressed) was average size. I wouldn't have a problem using a good 158gr on them.
I've seen pictures of some bigger deer that run closer to 200lbs on the hoof. For those Muy Grande monsters, the 180grs or maybe a 158 cast HPSWC would be more appropriate.
Take my advice for what it's worth...I gave up deer hunting in '95 after wounding a 12 point and being unable to find it. That, plus my family are not venison eaters, give me reason to "Barney Fife" deer hunt - sit in a stand with one bullet to fight off ferrel squirrels, skunks, rattlers, etc.
Q
.38 Special
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I would use the Buffalo Bore 180 gr. LFN-GC.
MCgunner
Member
I shoot a 180 XTP in a hand load, but my cast 158 SWC kills 'em just as dead.
wheelgunslinger
Member
Rem makes a nice hunting ammo in a box with the core lokt thing and all that. Knocks a hog down nicely.
And, Che Guevara refused to shoot deer with a 357 if the deer was in front of a tree because he didn't want to hurt the tree's spirit.
And, Che Guevara refused to shoot deer with a 357 if the deer was in front of a tree because he didn't want to hurt the tree's spirit.
T.R.
Member
Truthfully, I've not experimented with a wide variety of .357 MAG hunting ammo.
This cow elk (approx 550 lbs) was taken with plain Blazer ammo featuring 158 grain jacketed hollow tip bullet. I've taken mulies with this ammo also.
I'm a firm believer in getting close for 357 MAG shots. This elk was shot twice at about 50 feet. This matches typical archery shooting distance. 357 MAG is not a long distance cartridge for hunting big game. But up close, it is at least as effective as an arrow launched by a patient archer.
TR
This cow elk (approx 550 lbs) was taken with plain Blazer ammo featuring 158 grain jacketed hollow tip bullet. I've taken mulies with this ammo also.
I'm a firm believer in getting close for 357 MAG shots. This elk was shot twice at about 50 feet. This matches typical archery shooting distance. 357 MAG is not a long distance cartridge for hunting big game. But up close, it is at least as effective as an arrow launched by a patient archer.
TR
koja48
member
Never shot a whitetail with a .357, but the Mulies I've harvested succumbed quickly to the influence of a 158-grain jacketed solid under 50-yards.
huntershooter
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My preferred .357 hunting bullet is a 180 gr. cast WFNGC.
I am of the "penetration" school of thought. The 180 gr. WFNGC has proven effective on Whitetail/Mulies and hogs.
Oh, I hunt with handguns if I'm using a .357.
I am of the "penetration" school of thought. The 180 gr. WFNGC has proven effective on Whitetail/Mulies and hogs.
Oh, I hunt with handguns if I'm using a .357.
Seafarer12
Member
I like a 180 gr XTP in front of a full charge of 2400 for my hunting load.
coop4u2c
Member
Cor-Bon loaded with Barnes TSX copper hollowpoints and as always good shot placement!
Clipper
Member
25 years of 50 yards and less in timber...145gr Winchester silvertip HPs.
azwizard
Member
I think those of us who shoot .357 could all agree that 158 gr and up in a well constructed bullet would be just fine in any configuration. However the OP asked for a factory loading...
That being the case I'm only recommending the following based on my personal experience. Remington core-lokt 165 gr., Winchester 180 gr. Gold Partition, and Federal 170 gr. Hard cast-core.
Buffalo Bore was only left off the list because I haven't used it yet.
For years though I loaded a 158 gr. SWCHP wheel weight cast gas checked bullet at 1400 fps and no deer I ever shot with it knew what hit it.
Use what ever you shoot most accurately out of your gun that you can keep to middle o pie plate accuracy and limit your distance accordingly.
Good luck on your hunt.
That being the case I'm only recommending the following based on my personal experience. Remington core-lokt 165 gr., Winchester 180 gr. Gold Partition, and Federal 170 gr. Hard cast-core.
Buffalo Bore was only left off the list because I haven't used it yet.
For years though I loaded a 158 gr. SWCHP wheel weight cast gas checked bullet at 1400 fps and no deer I ever shot with it knew what hit it.
Use what ever you shoot most accurately out of your gun that you can keep to middle o pie plate accuracy and limit your distance accordingly.
Good luck on your hunt.
stevereno1
Member
I use a hard cast bullet in my .44 with great results, so I'd use the same in a .357. My $0.02
I would think about any of the full power 158gr or larger jacketed softpoints would be fine.
I have never shot a deer with a .357 mag, but have killed several even larger feral hogs with the 158gr softpoints from a 4" 686 revolver.
The whitetails can get large in Oklahoma, but them wild hogs are something else! Some are real "tuskers" and supposidly hard to kill. Although, I've had no issues knocking them over with everything from a .22 magnum rifle to a .30-06.
I have never shot a deer with a .357 mag, but have killed several even larger feral hogs with the 158gr softpoints from a 4" 686 revolver.
The whitetails can get large in Oklahoma, but them wild hogs are something else! Some are real "tuskers" and supposidly hard to kill. Although, I've had no issues knocking them over with everything from a .22 magnum rifle to a .30-06.
Shawnee
member
I'll tag onto the very good comments from T.R.
With handguns, at least the .357/.41/44 genre, the real key to success is largely in keeping the range short.
I think most of the common jacketed (and probably cast) bullets will perform quite well if the handgunner will just think in terms of distances typical of archers.
With handguns, at least the .357/.41/44 genre, the real key to success is largely in keeping the range short.
I think most of the common jacketed (and probably cast) bullets will perform quite well if the handgunner will just think in terms of distances typical of archers.
Matt-J2
Member
What's typical of archers these days? Not to be too dense, but I shoot recurve and limit myself to 30yds.(haven't got a deer yet, though maybe someday!) I know the compound shooters are reaching out farther but I don't pay much attention.
To add a twist, how much difference would it be with same weight bullets from a 10-12" Contender in .357max?
I like .357mag and want to wring as much out of it as I can. Never fired a .357max from anything t it seems like it's be a nice stepping stone, though sometimes I think I should just cave and bump to a .44mag.
To add a twist, how much difference would it be with same weight bullets from a 10-12" Contender in .357max?
I like .357mag and want to wring as much out of it as I can. Never fired a .357max from anything t it seems like it's be a nice stepping stone, though sometimes I think I should just cave and bump to a .44mag.
MCgunner
Member
Figure on 50 yards with a compound or a .357 revolver.
22-rimfire
Member
50-60 yds would be my limit for a 357 mag; 35 yds would be a lot better. I'd choose 158 gr soft points or the 180 gr Winchester partician bullet would be fine. I'm thinking factory loads here.
My general advice is that the 357 is a tad light for deer but is serviceable at reasonable distances and I wouldn't damn someone for using it. It is a very good opportunist caliber used when deer hunting with a rifle. You take the shot with the handgun if you have time. As a stand alone gun (or primary gun), I lean toward 41 mag or larger for deer from handguns.
My general advice is that the 357 is a tad light for deer but is serviceable at reasonable distances and I wouldn't damn someone for using it. It is a very good opportunist caliber used when deer hunting with a rifle. You take the shot with the handgun if you have time. As a stand alone gun (or primary gun), I lean toward 41 mag or larger for deer from handguns.
KeithCarter
Member
Death comes to such an example of large gross anatomy by letting blood out (1 hole on each side is best) and air in (bigger holes are better). Pistol rounds are too slow for much hydrostatic shock.
Do the deer a favor, and get an excuse to buy a new gun in the bargain. Use a .41 or larger in SINGLE ACTION configuration. Single actions are EASY to shoot because the gun simply slides through your hand, disapateing recoil painlessly.
I have a short, light Ruger .45LC which points at the sky when I fire heavy handloads, but it doesn't hurt my hand a bit.
KeithCarter
NRA Life
Do the deer a favor, and get an excuse to buy a new gun in the bargain. Use a .41 or larger in SINGLE ACTION configuration. Single actions are EASY to shoot because the gun simply slides through your hand, disapateing recoil painlessly.
I have a short, light Ruger .45LC which points at the sky when I fire heavy handloads, but it doesn't hurt my hand a bit.
KeithCarter
NRA Life
Mike Franklin
Member
I've killed dozens of deer with a Marlin lever action using WW 158 gr HP or WWST. I never lost a deer. BTW, my wife, my daughter and my son all killed their first deer with that same gun.
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