White-tail Deer -- .357 Magnum 158 grain SJSP vs. Hornady 140 grain Leverevolution

S

Southern Shooter

New member
Last year I shot two does with IMI Samson 158 Grain SJSP. They were fired from a Marlin 1894C carbine. Iron site, sited in at 100 yards dead on the mark.

The first was shot at 73 yards, broadside, through one shoulder and out the other. She ran 40-45 yards and collapsed dead cold.

The next one I shot was 40 yards out, front left shoulder and stopped just short of exiting her right back side. She ran 25 yards and collapsed.

Both deer required only one shot each.

This year my shooting lanes have been extended from about 100 yards to about 130 yards. I would still like to use my .357 Magnum rifle because the trigger is so nice and I can hit well with it. Would the Hornady Leverevolution ammunition, at 140 grains make a difference/be effective at that distance? Would it take a Southern white-tail deer out to 130 yards?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
What is the ballistic coefficient and velocity for the bullet?

That would help.

A 140 JHC from Sierra launched at 1800 f/sec loses a bout half of it's energy in the first hundred yards, and 20+% of it's remaining energy between 100 and 150 yards, and does not start with a lot to begin with...... It would not be legal to hunt with in my state (Nebraska)...... laws differ state to state- YMMV.
 
Last edited:
.357 Magnum 140 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®--Ballistics

.357 Magnum 140 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®

From 18" rifle barrel

Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft/lb) / Trajectory Tables

MUZZLE: 1850 / 1064 / -0.9

50 yds: 1632 / 828 / 1.2

100 yds: 1438 / 642 / 0.0

150 yds: 1272 / 503 / -5.4
 
357 alternative

You could open the carbine up to 357 Maximun if the gun will take the pressure. That cartridge is more than adequate for deer at your stated ranges. Out to 120 or so it keeps as much energy as a .44 Mag because of the smaller diameter and high velocity, and its a creampuff to shoot ! Any 158 Gr. hunting bullet will work well, but try for one with a good B.C. relative to others. There are 180 grain 357 bullets too!
 
I take pretty big mule deer with my puma 92 357 with 158 grain bullets. The furthest being around 200 yards. I get the big doe right in the heart on a quartering away shot and she ran about 50 yards and dropped. It didnt pass through but it did shatter the front shoulder. All my other shots on deer have been under 150 yards. Maybe I'm just lucky but I have got 4 deer with it.
 
What about Federal .357 Magnum CastCore® 180 gr. hard cast from a rifle?

I have a couple boxes of Federal .357 Magnum Castcore 180 gr. hard cast. How would that perfrom from my rifle? The only numbers I have for it are for 6" barrel handguns, though.

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/handgun.aspx?id=327

Muzzle**/**25*/**50**/**75**/**100--Yards
1130***/*1092*/*1059*/*1030*/**1003--FPS
510***/**477*/**448*/**424*/***402--FPE
***** /**0**/**-0.9*/**-3.8*/**-8.7--Trajectory

Thanks
 
Last edited:
tested it.

Go out and test it.
I would go with the 140 grain Leverevolution my self.

Go out and shoot the distance. If you are able to accurately hit the target and the bullet performs well (wet phone book, gallon of water) then go for it.
 
If it ain't broke...........

.....don't fix it. Sounds like 158's are working pretty good for you, and your carbine, why switch?

I'll likely take a lot of heat for this, but I think the Leverloution ammo in pistol cals is the proverbial answer to the question nobody asked. Poly tip and fat boat tail in a pistol cal, so what, its still a pistol cal. Especially in .357. Hey, I like .357 lever carbines, a lot, and post positively frequently, but the Leverlou ammo in the pistol cals seems an ammo selling ploy to me.

Plus, 158 JHP, SP etc is pretty common stuff, widely available. Tweak your rifle to shoot the "Lever" space bullet to point of aim, and you may find yourself low on ammo for a hunt and no space bullet for sale at mom and pop's store in the boonies.
 
+1 to BamaRanger

If you can hit what you aim at with the 158's don't mess with a good thing.Accuracy is the most important thing in my book.I would think the 158 gr would penatrate deeper not that it sounds like you have a problem there.If you were loosing deer or unable to place shots good then it would be time to experiment,but I would stick with what works and wait to see if a problem exists before I made changes.
 
+ another for bamarangers post.

Hollow points are much less likely to break bones and / or fully penetrate, both of which are highly desireable when useing handgun cartridge firearms.
 
Thank you

Thank you for the input. Ya'll are right...why fix something that is not broken. This particular rifle and ammo combination have already proven themselves. I am going to stay with the 158 grain SJSP.
 
Go to Buffalo Bore and click on "heavy .357 mag". 180 gr at higher velocities. Hard cast bullet. The Marlin will handle the +P fine. Site also shows lots of ballistic info on all their ammo.
 
I shoot a Puma 92 in .357mag.. Take a look at Double Tap 158gr. JHP. If I'm hunting in an area where I might get a shot over 100 yds. I use Buffalo Bore 180gr. LFN-GC which comes close to the .30-30 in power.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top