357 Magnum question

S

snowman748

New member
Ok, me and my dad are planning on doing some hog hunting this year, we live in Texas so I've found a few places we can hunt for very cheap if not free.

I'm planning on using a Marlin lever in 45-70 so I'm not to worried about my set up especially because I reload so I can Set up a good hog round.

My dad on the other hand is going to be using a very old Rossi (pre Taurus) lever action in 357 magnum and he doesn't reload...I understand this isn't the best round but it's going to be coming out of at least a 16" barrel (I believe it actually has a 18" barrel) and I hear that 357 really benefits from the longer barrel...

So here comes my question...

What is the best factory 357 magnum ammo for hog hunting with a rifle?

Please don't talk about how 308, 30-06, etc is a better caliber then what we plan on using, we will be doing close range stalking type hunting and don't have much money for a new firearm for this...he only owns 22LR his 357 and a 12 gauge with an 18.5" barrel for home defense...I only own a 22LR cricket, a 5.56 AR, a 9mm S&W M&P and the 45-70 lever gun...

I understand this is dangerous but I feel confident we'll be alright...
 
I'm not sure where you'll find it for sale in your part of the world, but look for some Buffalo Bore .357 Magnum ammo with 158gr. or heavier projectiles. There is a 180 grain lead flat point gas-check that they advertise as leaving at 1400 f/s from a pistol. From a carbine, if you gain no more than 15% in muzzle velocity, it should work nicely.

My two concerns are, will this ammunition work smoothly through your father's carbine, and will the 180gr. projectiles stabilize from its barrel? I don't know if you'll shoot 1-hole groups with them at 50 yards, but I'd be surprised if you didn't get "minute-of-tennis ball" accuracy. This "boutique ammo" is not cheap, but it seems to work well.

If the above is impracticable, buy a few different boxes of .357 Factory ammo in bullets weights of 158gr. or higher, either solid lead, or Jacketed Soft Points, and ventilate some blocks of water-soaked newsprint, and see which one penetrates deepest. I'd go with that one.
 
Thanks man, good info, I was kinda leaning toward Buffalo Bore because I know they make great ammo but have heard that it can be to much for some guns, does anyone know if I will run into this problem with an old Rossi? It was probably manufactured in the 60s or 70s if I had to guess...I know it's very old because it was passed to my dad from his uncle (my great uncle) and is without a doubt the BEST Rossi I've ever put my hands on. I'm defiantly not a Rossi or Taurus fan but something about that gun is ok in my book...

Anyway I'll look for some heavy grain 357 or Buffalo Bore 357...
 
that lever action is going to be just fine so long as staying inside a reasonable distance. i agree with the 158JSP loads. if you think your going to be running into some huge boars then a solid would be ideal, but i am not sure it's needed. Solids run a good bit of money, but truly do outpenetrate anything out there.

if you have time to order ammo and are willing to pay the premium.... http://bearingarms.com/357-mag-xtreme-penetrator-lehigh-defense-140gr-xp/

i couldn't find any in stock, although i didnt look too hard. its available from underwood as well, and is a bit hotter than Lehigh's load. really, any solid will do the trick though, staying away from weird petaled hollow-points anyway.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/48...-200-grain-hard-cast-lead-flat-nose-box-of-20

check out ballastics by the inch, you may be suprised to find that in alot of cases a 16" it the optimal barrel length for 357

the action on that old rossi can withstand more than a revolver cylnder
 
Last edited:
I believe the Rossi is a copy of the Winchester 92, and assuming it is in correct mechanical condition should be safe for any SAAMI spec load.

The issue of most concern to me would be feeding and accuracy. I do not know about the Winchester design's tolerance but Marlins are sensitive to "overlength" rounds and also can give feeding issues with SWC bullets.

TEST some of what ever ammo you pick, before the hunt!!

I would be hesitant about 180gr loads, not their effectiveness, but their reliability working through the gun. If they test ok, then by all means.

I think a 158gr SP or SWC (if they feed ok) would be a good choice. I would avoid anything lighter as not optimum for hogs.

Expansion is nice, but not necessary, and if it comes at the cost of sufficient penetration, it is actually a detriment. Put the bullet in the right place, and expansion or not, it will work if it penetrates where it needs to go.
 
A 357 mag lever gun with 158 gr JSP will kill hogs nicely within moderate ranges, say 150-ish yds (about as far as you can hold on the vitals with iron sights). No need for Buffalo Bore ammo (which is also famous for difficult extraction, which you want to avoid anyway). Shoot for the vitals, behind the ear from a rear angle, or a full frontal head shot if you can line it up. Don't try to break bones or penetrate from end to end. Pigs aren't that hard to kill, you just have to hit them in the right spot.
 
You said you are a reloader so pick up some dies and some 158 jacketed soft points and a pound of 296 , 4227, 2400, Blue Dot, HS&, 8700x, HS6, Herco, Unique, Green Dot or HP38 and get to loading.
 
snowman, You said you reload 45-70, what are you lacking from reloading .357? As far as what others have said, I would use something that's going to penetrate. In my GP100, I use some hard cast with a gas check that my grandfather made up in the 70's running pretty fast. I've killed several hogs with it inside of 20yds and only 1 wasn't a full penetration, shoulder stopped it. If you're dad doesn't plan on using the rifle a lot, then he may better suited for factory/custom ammo. If it was me and already had the equipment, I would use a 158gr or heavier.
 
HSM Bear loads, 180 fmj flatnose in 357, cheaper than buffalo bore and 100 fps slower so not over pressured. Palmetto State Armory and other places have them. Good revolver load also.
 
Since you reload I'd say logically to load his ammo. 180gr XTP bullets, some brass and a can of H110 gets you there. Few shot to zero and check function and you are there. It would take very few boxes of specialty ammo to go past the price of reloading.
 
kcub said:
HSM Bear loads, 180 fmj flatnose in 357, cheaper than buffalo bore and 100 fps slower so not over pressured. Palmetto State Armory and other places have them. Good revolver load also.
Click to expand...
Plus one on the bear loads. I buy them for the s&w 500 and they seem almost identical to the more expensive corbon. If imagine that their quality etxtends through all calibers....not impressed with grizzly though.
 
HSM Bear loads, 180 fmj flatnose in 357, cheaper than buffalo bore and 100 fps slower so not over pressured. Palmetto State Armory and other places have them. Good revolver load also.
Click to expand...

FWIW, my local Cabellas generally has these in stock. It may not be necessary to order online and pay shipping.
 
If you go with non-premium 158 JSPs, you might look at plain ol' American Eagle. Even though the velocity listed on the box is the same as other standard 158-grain loads, it tends to run hotter.... in excess of 1,800 fps from a carbine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dM...-Tfq_bRSU&annotation_id=annotation_2718244869
This video gives some idea, but I've seen chrono results listed other places too that show it's about 200 fps faster than many comparable loads out of a carbine.

I personally compared it to Magtech 158-grain JSPs. I don't have a chronograph, but I could feel, hear, and see that the American Eagles had more oomph. Alas, the Magtechs are more accurate in my Marlin.
 
The reason I'm trying to go the store bought way instead of reloading for him is A.) I'm not sure how much he actual plans on using the Rossi to hunt. If he really likes hog hunting I figure he'll probably pick up a better equipped rifle for hunting in the 30-06 to 308 range. B.) I only have shell holders for .223, 30-06 & 45-70. I run a Hornady Case trimmer and RCBS hand primer and an old Lyman press. because of this I'd have to get at least two different shell holders (the RCBS wont take Hornady shell holders and Hornady wont take the RCBS holders) dies, powder, bullets and brass. I can't justify buying a full reloading set up just to reload a little 357 and him turn around and buy a 30-06 or 308 Especially when when I don't own a 357, 38 special or 7.62x39 myself. C.) the only powder I'm running at the moment is Varget (I know it's not the best suited for 45-70 but it works) and if possible I'd like to stick with it at the moment because I just started reloading a few months back.

I'll probably pick up some HSM Bear Loads, American Eagle and another 158 grain load and see which he likes the best and just run that for the time being.

Thanks for all the help and info guys!
 
Yep, Buffalo Bore claims their 158grn Heavy 357mag ammo produces 2,153fps or their 180grn hardcast ammo produces 1,851fps from a 18.5" Marlin levergun. Either of those should be just fine for a decent sized hog.
 
I buy from Buffalo Bore for my handgun ammo. We have lots of wild hogs around here. Most hunt them with .44 magnum handguns but a .357 magnum with a good bullet, will also do the job.

I have ammo to penetrate a Black Bear skull in several calibers.
 
Out of a 16" barrel, any typical weight quality commercial 357 ammunition will work just fine, accuracy is FAR more important than bullet weight/type. So find whatever can be practiced with the most, practice, then hit the field w/o sweating the load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top