Texas Whitetail: 357 Mag, Buffalo Bore 180gr HC or Hornady 140gr FTX?

[cpileri]

Learned opinions and sound reasoning wanted!
What would you choose, if you had to choose ONLY between these 2 (i.e. please no suggestions of other calibers, etc) loads; and all other factors being equal, for Central texas Whitetail:
1. Buffalo Bore 180gr Hardcast LFN @ ~1851fps through the ~18-19" barrel of a handi-rifle,
or
2. Hornady 140gr FTX @ ~1850 fps thru the same platform?

How's the terminal performance? ballistics dont tell the whole story? BB would punch hard and penetrate deep, while Hornady would punch hard (but not as hard) and expand to?? and penetrate?? less?? enough?? (that is, if the FTX penetrated plenty, and made a massive wound channel; is the BB loads extra penetration and weight 'wasted'?)

Thanks and happy hunting!
C-

p.s. ballistics acc to websites on these are:
BB:
Range............Velocity............Energy...........Drop
0....................1800................1294...........-.75
25..................1716 ...............1177..............0
50..................1635.................1069...........-.01
100................1484..................880............-2.48

Horn:
Range...........Velocity...............Energy..........Drop
0...................1850...................1064............ -.7
25..................1745...................947............... 0
50 .................1632................... 828.............. 0
100................1272.....................503............-2.5

(note: used Norma ballistics program to fill in the gaps of figures not given explicitly on the manufacturer's websites. C-)

 

[philbo]

While I haven't used the Hornady, I have used the Buffalo Bore load in a handgun when I wanted maximum penetration (ie hogs). It hits hard and penetrates deep with no expansion. Absolutely ok for whitetail, but I think the BB would give more penetration than is necessary. For that reason, if the FTX bullet grouped well I might have to give it a try.

 

[cpileri]

thanks, philbo

for the response.
As a tantalizing bit of food for thought, this website:
[ wwwDOTdiyballisticsDOTcomFOWARDSLASH?p=3 ] which directly compared the 2 loads (ok, the 180HC load was handloaded, but to abt the same velocity- close enough for me for now); and showed the HC expandinng!

Summary of the results, admittedly from one guy and one shot:
140 Grain Hornady Leverevolution
The factory loaded bullet left the muzzle at 1758 f/s and had an estimated 50 yard velocity of 1662 f/s. Penetration was 4.5″, the bullet expanded to .615″ and retained 127 grains or 91%

180 Grain Hard Cast-Gas Check
The bullets left the muzzle at 1800 f/s meaning an approximate 50 yard velocity of 1624 f/s and an impact velocity of 1559 f/s. Penetration, cavity, expansion, and weight retention were all exemplary. The bullet defeated 7.5″ of test material, expanded to a diameter of .615″, and retained 185 grains of weight (the actual starting weight of the bullet was therefore slightly more than the listed 180 grains).

Interesting, though.
C-
p.s. what is the penetration conversion factor between 'green blocks of goop" and ballistic gelatin?

 

[Kilgor]

Buffalo Bore. When energy is limited as it is in the .357, use a heavy for caliber bullet to ensure complete penetration. That's my opinion.

 

[S&Wfan]

I've been a handgun whitetail hunter for many a year and here's what I've learned works best for me, hands down . . .

Always make it a heavy, hard-cast lead flat nose bullet for me. I'm done with hollowpoints and tracking deer. IF they run at all, I want a through and through shot with a good blood trail. I don't lose any deer anymore . . . NONE!

 

[cpileri]

Thanks!

Looks like the 357 is coming out ahead.
According to the bullet test tube website, the green goop penetration distance multiplied by 1.34 given an approximation of penetration in ballistic gelatin.
So 10.05" for the BBore 357...

Just guessing, but i bet its a whole lot more than that!

http://www.thebullettesttube.com/faq.html

I think I've decided on the 357!
C-