Suggestion for a .357 Mag deer round.

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cackalak

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I'm looking to start hunting with my handgun, which is a .357 GP100 (6"). My state requires an "expanding bullet" with 500 ft/lb at 100 yards. I don't reload. Anyone know what I should get? I'll be hunting muley's. Thanks.

By the way, I probably won't take a shot at more than 60 yards.
 
I took a muley years ago with a 6" Python.
1 shot in the neck and he was dead before he hit the ground.
Bullet did not exit, can't recall if it was 125 or 158 jhp.

I would opt for 180 jhp if it meets your legal requirements. I'd feel better about it for a shoulder shot. For head, neck or lungs it shouldn't matter a lot.
 
I've shot over fifty white tails with the 357mag in a handgun. My favorite load it a Hornady 158XTP with 17.0 grains of WW296 powder. I've had excellent results with this load. My second favorite it the 180 grain JHP bullet. You will find (if you're lucky to bag something with it) that the 357mag loses a lot of steam after 60-75 yds and bullet performance drops dramatically. In the attached pic are two bullets taken from the same deer. One was fired at around 97 yards and the second was around 35 yards (I believe these numbers are correct. I could check my log but it's close enough). Both shots were about three inches apart on the deer, broadside and behind the shoulder. Noticable difference in expansion. You will need a larger caliber to be legal in your state. The 357 will not provide the energy level your state requires.
 

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If the rules state 500 ft/lbs at 100 yards you will be at least a 100 ft/lbs or more short. At minimum you will need a 41 magnum and a 44 magnum would be better.
 
Dang, was afraid of that. I guess the Blackhawk (44) will have to do. I really like the GP.

SSSteve - I have BB rounds already (180gr gclfn), but it not an "expanding" slug. It's my woods carry round though.

And thanks for the pic, NoSecondBest.
 
Look in to the 353 Casull. Also, if you lengthen the case to 1.41" as it should be, then kick it up to 48k psi, you get a real thumper :)

But, yeah, Buffalo Bore seems the way to go.
 
The BB site shows a retained energy of 446 ft pounds at 100 yards for the 158 gr JHP with a 5 in M27. Unfortunately, they don't have info for the 6 in GP100. It looks like it would come up a little short. In Washington State, they have the same 500 at 100 requirement, which could be met with a Contender and handloads, but they exclude the .357 mag in any case, or at least they used to. I haven't hunted in a long time. If I were still hunting, I would use a Blackhawk in anything that starts with a .4!

rat
 
take a look at Federal American Eagle 158gr SJSP .357mag. Out of the 6" barrel should get around 1400fps or more. And it does expand at that velocity due to big metplat of exposed lead. Acuracy out to about 50yds (with expansion) is about all I'd expect.
Federal also has a Fed Fusion round which is the same thing with a slightly hollow point. Supposed to be specially for hunting.
My Blackhawk is a 6 1/2" barrel and I get 1490fps with both rounds.

Also tried S&B 158gr SJSP but best velocity was only 1270fps and no expansion in a "dirtpak" due to the smaller metplat. I don't recommend S&B.

og
 
Lambdebois said:
I am not sure if it meets your criteria of 500ft/lbs at 100yards and an expanding round but how about this 158gn jhc buffalo bore loading?

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php...t_detail&p=102
Click to expand...

According to the BB sight that load hits 1707fps from a 6" GP100, which is 501ft/lbs at 100yards, barely making the break.

Doubletap also has some hot .357:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_27&products_id=378

158grains at 1540 from a 6" S&W. If that holds true for the 6" GP100 then that is 525 ft/lbs at 100 yards.

About the same energy with this 125grain:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_27&products_id=443

That being said, Double Tap's 10mm doesn't always achieve the velocity they claim so I would test this stuff before risking legal trouble. But if it meets claims you should be set.
 
quote from Creek Henry...
Look in to the 353 Casull. Also, if you lengthen the case to 1.41" as it should be, then kick it up to 48k psi, you get a real thumper.

That's called the .360 Dan Wesson and it won't fit in a GP-100. The .353 Casull uses the Magnum length case and operates at .454 Casull pressures (55+ kpsi). These loads are dangerous in any revolver other than the Freedom Arms single action.
 
Careful with claims of manufactures getting those extreme velocities out of any 357 revolver.

Run then through the chronograph and see for yourself, I found they don't quite meet the claims.

To get 500 ft lbs at 100 yards out of a 357 revolver is pushing the envelope.

Wyoming has the same law, 500 ft lbs @100 yards is the min requirement for a pistol round to be used in big game hunting.

I tried every combination from Sunday and can't come up with a reasonable, safe load to get that out of a revolver.

I've discussed this with our game wardens, they ASSUME the 357 doesn't cut it, and regardless of what the factory says, you're going to be hard put to prove your round makes the cut.

Another way of looking at it, I have too many guns to risk destroying one of my Mode 27 or 28, trying to get it to do something it wasn't designed for.

Now as to the 500 ft lb rule being reasonable, thats for another discussion, we have laws we have to live by, Fish & Game laws and the laws of physics are two of them.
 
The best load for a .357 on deer is to switch it out for a 30-06.
The .357 is simply not a deer round.
As an alternative, tie the deer to a post and shoot from a range of five yards.
 
Factory 357 rounds don't quite reach the potential of that round.

I reload and use the XTP bullet in 180 and 158grn offerings.

My 180grn loads will hit just less than 1400fps out of my 6.5in Blackhawk (muzzle vel.)
The 158grn loads can easily reach 1550.

I have never seen signs of overpressure nor does my Blackhawk seem any worse for wear.

I think factory ammunition has been loaded down over the years for liability reasons.
 
I reload and use the XTP bullet in 180 and 158grn offerings.
Click to expand...
357 Terms-- I would have to concur. I've never shot a whitetail with my 357 (just got it), but I have with my 44 Redhawk and the XTPs are awesome bullets.
I plan on taking my Security Six out this year, which XTP do you like better, the 180 or the 158 for Whitetail?
 
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