Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Coyote Hunting with the 357 Magnum Pistol

How many use the 357 magnum when calling with a pistol and what load do you use??

I have before, years ago. I used the 125 gr. hollow point, Remington I believe. I only killed a couple and I learned two things. The 125 gr. hollow point was pure poison on the couple I killed. The cartridge from my 6" S&W worked quite well. However, muzzle blast after the shot pretty much deafened you for the next three days. Back then there wasn't good hearing protection that still allowed you to listen for approaching critters like the various electronic muffs do today. You definitely want some e-muffs.

I always use hearing protection today, but in my case in a life time of shooting pistols, i'm a day late and a dollar short on my hearing or what is left of it.

bea, I shoot my .357's quite often.. so far my favorite varmint load is a 140 gr. Rem. HP over about 13.5 gr. of 2400.. You must remember, I am not into newer powders as I bought my stuff before retirement.. The could be better loads out there, but this works pretty good for me.

I just loaded up 100 rounds for my 6 inch GP-100 using Starline Brass, 125 gr Hornady XTP, 7 gr of Titegroup and CCI 500 Primers.

I shot several with a .45 ACP and the fast stepping .357 125 gr. was noticeably quicker dropping the coyote than the 230 gr. .45 Auto. If your hand load is cooking along pretty hot and is accurate it should do well. Velocity and quick expansion works on soft game of that size.

I had used handloads consisting of 17.5 gr. 2400, W/W 125 gr. HP's, CCI small pistol Magnum primers, and whatever cases were available. Used a Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 3/4" barrel. Shot pretty good. If and when connection was made with a coyote it was usually instant lights out. Muzzle blast was close to nuclear! Still have a few left. Most coyotes were just "happened upon" when out cruisin' around. Not as many evident anymore however.

A few Summers ago, I killed 2 Coyotes about 3 weeks apart with my S&W Model 66 which happened to be the closest thing to a Coyote gun that I had with me at the time. The bullet was a 140 Nosler JHP pushed along by a large dose of H110.

First one was at about 30 yards and it died fairly quickly (after 2 hits).

Second one was farther and I had a hard time putting him down --finally did about the time the gun ran dry. Not what I like to see. I've carried a .223 in the truck ever since.

I used TiteGroup because it give you high vel , lower muzzle blast with less powder. Powder position in the case doesn't matter with this powder.

Ruger SP101 4" heavy barrel, fiber optic sights, Factory Winchester 110 gr. HP. Rolled him going broadside at 45 yards.





I've since gotten a 6" Ruger Security Six stainless I have high hopes for.

Not coyotes but I've shot a couple of big racoons with 140 xtp over a maximum chargge of 296. The way it opened up the coons I can't see it not working quite well on coyote.

Ernie

Ah, O.K. Diater. They are not only active at night and they aren't fast if they are standing still, and something more "tricky" isn't needed, and lots of hunters are capable of killing them without a scope, some even choose to use archery gear from time to time. Although it is tough to argue about different prices on scopes and sure enough, it is possible to grab something at a "really decent" price if one shops around.
You best stick to you AR15.

Hey friend, you feeling ok?