Recommendations on .357 rifle (18.5" barrel) ammo for deer? Nothing over 150 yards max, most much less at woods ranges. I'm sure any of them would work, looking for input on a works "best". Wild hair, not sure why I'm thinking about it other than experimenting....

Double Tap, 180 hardcast: http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=336

Double Tap, 200 hardcast: http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=337

Double Tap, 158 jacketed hollow point: http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=378

Buffalo Bore, 180 hard cast: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

Buffalo Bore, 180 jacketed hollow point: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=541

Buffalo Bore, 158 jacketed hollow point: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=102

In a rifle, those loads will go 2-300 fps faster than in a revolver so you're right at the point where you could get leading from a plain-base cast bullet. I'd start with jacketed or a cast design with a gas check. Any of those would work once it hits the deer.

What kind of rifle are you using, and what kind of rifling does it have?


Okie John

No experience, yet, but I wonder how much cavitation a hardcast .357 will cause on a lung shot. I'd be inclined to try a Gold Dot, 180gr XTP, or maybe an XPB, though that last is only 140gr IIRC.

I have carried a .357 handgun a few times while doe hunting, but haven't gotten a shot yet. A barrel in .357 or Max is on the short list for the Contender I have in the pipe.

My 357 Deer Load has been 158 grain cast lead, powder coated over H110 or Hornady 158 grain XTP over H110.

Several of you seem to wonder the same as I'm wondering. The speed has me a bit reluctant to use the lead, even though it's hard cast, if much shooting is going to be done...and I like to shoot. The speed vs penetration for weight on the 158 jacketed would probably be ok for deer....but I'd rather go a little heavy coming from an 18.5" barrel.

Like Pappy348, I'm thinking the 180 JHP may be the best route for a lot of shooting without leading and also on game performance at ~1850 fps. Will probably give the Buffalo Bore 180 JHP a trial to test velocity, etc. Later may visit loads for it....probably with the 180 XTP.

Thanks guys.

That's one of the best bullets in my .357 FA 97, hits hard. I had to get a higher front sight to accommodate the POI.

I'm thinking if I was loading for a .357 rifle, I'd sure be looking at that one.

With a handgun round, mass is what you want. I think you could get fairly decent velocity in a rifle barrel.

DF

Not the .357 mag, but close.
I used a 180 XTP in the .357 max carbine i built for Connor. It killed just fine.

George

I shoot factory PMC 158 gr soft points. They group tight and leave an exit hole. I'm getting near 1800 fps in a 22" Handy Rifle.

I loaded some 158gr XTP bullets over a max load of H110 and my friend has never recovered a bullet and killed every deer with one shot. One was taken at around 100 yards.

158 GDHP 18.0 grains 'Lil' Gun
180 XTP 15.0 grains 'Lil' Gun

158 grain jhp in a 10 inch contender works well.

My boys have killed 5 with a 357 Mag Handi-Rifle out to 90yds. Only one has made it farther than 30yds from where it was when shot. All were shot with handloaded, close to max, 158gr XTP-HP. One was shot head on at 30yds; bullet centered the sternum and was found skinning out a rear quarter. I've been quite impressed with the effect of that little, stubby bullet on deer.

The XTP is great on deer

your first three options will work just fine, find one that shoots well for you.

if you stretch it out past 100yds know your drop and your distance for sure. they drop like rocks past 100 yds.