Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading 357 mag for deer 125 or 158 or even 170

158g Semi wad cutter with gas check,

13-14g of 2400 with a mag primer, and 15g maybe the most accurate.

Shoot them though the shoulders with this bullet and load. The semi wad cutters do as much damage as xtp's, if not more.

I load the 158 xtp for an all around load for my 357 jframe 360 scadnium and my wifes 3" sp101 trail/hiking pistol. The only threats I feel undergunned with that load is grizzly bear.

The 158 xtp penetrates deep and expands some but doesn't over expand at the 1050-1200 fps mv we run them at.

I've got some 180 hard cast too that really move over lilgun but prefer the 158 xtp for all around.

Bb

Of course the guy named Keith recommend a semi wad cutter.

Bb

I’m late to the party but I would look at 158gr JHP’s such as the XTP or the tougher XTP-FP. I wouldn’t feel undergunned with a 158gr JSP or LSWC.

LOL, I have a 158gr Cast Performance bullet load at 1396 fps in my old pre-27 8-3/8ths 357 Mag, I'd gladly shoot a buck through the shoulders with it, betting he wouldn't catch it either.

Damn nice little pistola there DF.

Thanks, gunner.

With it now set up for heavies with the higher front sight, 170 Gold Dot, 180 XTP, or your fav heavy hard cast would make an impression, leave a serious dent in a critter...

As you well know, FA revolvers are bull stout, lock up like a bank vault and make lesser revolvers look like they shooting patterns instead of groups...

Well maybe not some of the line bored custom .45's I have...

DF

You bet DF, the finest factory production I've had my hands on for sure, while not a 357 Mag, I have a near mate to your little '97 in 44 Special, 5.5 inch round butt, I load it mild with the 255gr Keith bullet over 4227 for 1040 fps, a real sweetheart too, maybe some day we can revolver double team some LA. swamp porkers!

The 180 Hornady XTP's have worked well for me out of my S&W 4" M-28, but I keep the yardage close. Much better suited using a 41 mag or 44 mag and in those, I favor hard cast gas checked.

Now, that would be a hoot...

Wouldn't take long to make a real Cajun outta ya, feed you right....

I'm not a Cajun by birth, just by choice...

These guys cook and eat what they kill...

Once ya been a Cajun, even for a while, it's hard to go back...

DF

LOL, wont be hard to feed me anything, a hog aint much picky.

For deer with a 357 mag please look at the numbers for the Speer 140 gr jacketed bullet. I personally think the 110 and 125 gr is too light,and the 158 is just ok but a little heavy. The speed of the 140 is in the sweet spot.

You guys keep talking LA and I forget they are my neighbors to the south and a bit east. I was thinking CA I guess. When I read feral pigs I start out thinkin' feds. I have some bad reading comprehension, eh? Be Well, RZ.

I’m working up a load with lil gun and 180 XTP tomorrow.
I’ve got em loaded and ready to shoot

Didn’t somebody named Wesson kill elk, moose, grizzly and antelope with a 357? My favorite antelope sixgun is a model 27 with 8 3/8s barrel. Favorite bullet is a358156 hollow point. Exits after breaking bone so I’m happy.

Speaking of heavy .357/10mm bullets, I was reading about using pistol bullets in the .358 Winchester, which I'm in the process of putting together. A pre-64 shot out .243 Fwt, now in OR with JES, becoming a .358 Win.

Nathan Foster down in New Zealand does a lot of terminal performance testing on game with a number of loads. Good stuff. Google Ballisticstudies.com.

This is what he wrote on the 170 Gold Dot and 180 XTP at .358 Win speeds. Was sorta surprised that he liked the Gold Dot more than the XTP. I would have guessed the opposite.


For hunting very light bodied deer species, the .358 can be loaded with .357 Magnum bullets. Hornady’s 180 grain XTP bullet can be loaded to 2700fps; however, this bullet and the 158 grain XTP are better utilized as youth loads, down loaded to between 2200 and 2400fps, so as not to inhibit penetration.

The .357” Speer 158 grain Gold Dot hollow point and 170 grain Gold Dot flat point at .358 Winchester velocities are more reliable than the XTP on light game up to 60kg (132lb). The 170 grain Gold Dot used at close ranges performs well from muzzle velocities of 2400fps up to 2800fps.


Go figure...

DF

I really like my 357's. I prefer 44's (magnum or special) or 45 Colt for deer.

I would agree with that.

Now, .357 bullets at .358 Win speeds.....

That would be my ".357" choice for WT;s....

DF

That link is dead now.

Yep, they are bought out, but if you hurry you can still get the coated 158.