JSP vs JHP for Handgun Caliber Hunting

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LeontheProfessional

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I am starting to get ready for next deer season and just wanted a little advice. My plan is to use my Marlin 1894C in .357 and my GP100 as backup. I do the majority of my hunting in the woods so long range capability isn't a factor. I have narrowed it down to a 158gr JSP or JHP for this use, but I am not really sure which is better. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.
 
I have taken three deer using a .357 mag Ruger Blackhawk. The first was a neck shot at roughly 27 yards using a 158 grain semi jacketed hollow point. The deer required some pretty hefty tracking and a finishing shot. I will never try that again with a .357 slug was lodged into the spine but didn't have the thump to break it.

The next two deer were taken using a 158 grain semi jacketed soft point with chest shots. One bullet was a complete pass through and the deer was recovered very much dead inside 50 yards. The other chest shot the bulet broke two ribs going in and one on the other side yet remained inside the chest cavity. Deer recovered inside 40 yards very much dead. The first deer the slug took the top half of the heart and destroyed it. The other deer was a double lung shot.

A neck shot from a rifle perhaps but never again from a 4 5/8" handgun.
 
Thank-you JBK. I am planning on shooting these out of the rifle mainly. The GP100 has a 6" barrel, so I know it can do the job, though.
 
The buck that I neck shot was during the wanning rut. Even though most rutting activity was over his neck was still pretty swollen. I do not know if that had something to do with the bullet effect or not. A .357 is a fairly potent round but sure aint a .243 win
 
No, it isn't but I have been hunting with a 30-06 for years and I am ready for change. Out of a carbine the .357 is no slouch out to 100 yards. At that range, it is still striking with more energy than a 6" revolver at the muzzle.
 
Even with the newer XTP type hollow points from Hornady, I still prefer the KNOWN penetration value of a jacketed soft point. I've just seen too many hogs and deer hit with hollow points and have to be tracked for hours because of lack of penetration. There are many nowadays that are swearing by the newer XTP bullets though. Just can't bring myself to "try them out" on live game when I have a well proven loading that will drop deer and hog. Personally, if I were you, I would load up a good 158 JSP and let the big dog eat!
 
Deer in Texas are easy to kill. 140 grain JHP from a .357 will be fine on a broadside shot. They're small. I still prefer a good SWC, but have hunted with Hornady 180 xTPs and taken a hog with it. I load a 300 grain XTP to about 1120 fps in .45 Colt from my 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk. I'm confident it will take anything I'll ever run in to, but I haven't hunted with it much at all. Aside from my contender, I've taken more deer with the .357 Blackhawk and 165 grain hard cast, gas checked SWC.
 
I can't speak for the. 357, but I have taken over a dozen whitetails with 200gr XTP .44s at 1450-1600 fps at distances out to 50 yards. All were one shot kills and most didn't go 3 steps.
 
My most accurate ever and the only bullet I have taken a deer with was the old Speer 146gr SJHP. That was a fine bullet and very accurate in several .357 revolvers I shot it in. I was sorry to see Speer discontinue them.

That said, the other bullet I have used of late with good marks has been the Oregon Trail 158gr RNFP. I have used them on hogs and they have done everything that could have been asked of them out to around 50yds. Much more than that and they simply don't have enough steam from my short revolver barrels. I'm not sure if the ones pictured on their site are the ones I ahve on hand though as mine seem like they ahve a MUCH flatter nose and it simply is beveled over. The oone on their site seem to have a bit more of a RN to them.

Personally I would look over a few of the commercial cast options in a RNFP GC style, and go from there. You will get plenty of penetration and with the added velocities from the rifle you will probably get some expansion as well with a 12-18 BHN bullet. If your stuck on JHP's or similar, I have used the Remington bulk bullets, in 140 and 158gr for years with good results. I simply switched over to cast when I started using my GP's while chasing the hog dogs.
 
I know it's not one of your options, but I really like the Buffalo Bore 19A. It's a 180 grn, hard cast RNFP. I buy similar bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. to load a similar round. MBC calls them ".357 Stryker."

The hard cast, heavy bullet hits hard, shatters bone and penetrates clean through on deer around here. I've been very happy with it, and I shoot it exclusively through a 6" GP-100.
 
I have not killed a deer with a .357, but I believe I would be happy enough carrying plain old 158gr SJSP ammo such as the Federal AE loading. It is what I typically use for general purpose outdoor use, although I have used the HP loadings as well.

I have happily carried .44 magnum 240 gr SJSP ammo for deer. I have also carried Hornady 240gr XTP, 300gr XTP, Winchester 250gr PTHP, and others as well in the .44, depending on my mood.

To tell you the truth, I don't think it matters too much as long as your shot placement is good and your bullet is constructed stoutly enough to penetrate through the vitals.
 
Hollowpoints help slow moving bullets at handgun velocities expand. At rifle velocities, I'd be concerned about them expanding too quickly and not being effective.
 
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