Ok Dad gave me his 357 Mag redhawk (7.5") with scope (that has been worked on by Hamilton Bowen). Want to try my hand with deer hunting with it this year.
Any factory loads that anyone has used for hunting?
Also and handloads that are favorites. (I’m looking hard at the xpb 140gr) These are little deer (no bigger than 100 lbs).
Thanks,
Worldskipper
I have used Federal’s .357 mag 158gr H/Ps to take deer to 170lbs at bow hunting ranges. I limit my shots to 40yds and under and take clean broadside shots. This has accounted for about a dozen deer over the past 20 years.
For the smaller deer you hunt Winchester’s .357mag 145gr Silvertips H/P maybe a better choice for quicker expansion in those slim bodied deer.
The one thing I find that most handgun hunters fail to do is to keep those shots close as one would do while bow hunting and avoid shooting into the middle shoulder, brisket or flank.
The .357mag will work for deer as long as one realizes the limitations and hunts accordingly.
This is what works for me but there has been a few specialized hunting loads using Gold Dot and other premium bullets which may work better. See what shoots most accurately in your revolver and practice shooting at 3"inch dots out to your reasonable max range.
I’ve killed several Texas whitetails with the WW 145 Silvertip HP load and it works well. Most TX deer run small (<100 pounds on the hoof) and they really don’t take much killing. Just about any quality 140 - 158 JHP that’s a consistent expander will work well on them.
My favorite .357 load is the Winchester 180 gr JHP (S357P) Partition load.
Would this also be a superior choice for self defense?
The WW/Nosler Partition 180 gr load DocGKR recommends is a fine hunting round in revolver or rifle. Recoil is mild when fired from a carbine, but stout in any handgun. A large-frame revolver such as the Ruger Blackhawk or S&W M27 is manageable with this load, but in anything smaller it can be a bear. Since most defensive revolvers tend to be L-frame size or smaller, I would say it’s unlikely that you’d want to use this load in such an application.
DrJSW, DocGKR,
Anything on the 357 Magnum Hornady LEVERevolution?
https://www.hornady.com/shop/08_357-44_mag.htm
I’ll be hunting with my old Dan Wesson so it has enough a$$ to WW/Nosler Partition 180 if the Hornady is a flop. Thanks for the info.
Originally Posted by DocGKR
My favorite .357 load is the Winchester 180 gr JHP (S357P) Partition load.
Appreciate the input, but recoil isn’t an issue with me. The application would be in a medium frame Smith or Ruger revolver with 6" barrel (no snubbies!) I am just guessing that Doc’s preferred hunging load might also be an excellent choice for a defense load; hence, the question 
The Win 180 gr is the issued load for a LE agency nearby that still allows wheelguns for duty–it has worked well in actual OIS incidents (although no better than other common service pistol loads).
The Hornady LEVERevolution or the Winchester 180 gr JHP?
Federal loads the 140gr XPB bullet into their ‘Vital-Shok’ cartridge
W-W 145gr Silvertip
W-W 180gr Partition Supreme
R-P 165gr Core-Lokt
R-P 125gr SP UMC
R-P 180gr SJHP
Federal 140gr Vital-Shok (XPB bullet)
Federal 180gr Cast-Core
Federal 158gr Fusion SP
Federal 158gr Hydra-Shok
Speer 125gr & 158gr Gold Dot
Hornady 140gr & 158gr XTP
Hornady 140gr LeverEvolution
The XPB’s should also be a good .357 projectile–I’ll see if we can shoot some Barnes .357 Mag loads next gel test.
Excellent!
Revolver cartridges have been overlooked since everyone is carrying a semi-auto these days…
I’d like to see Federal 140gr Vital-Shok and R-P 165gr Core-Lokt [Golden Sabre technology] tested if possible. I have reason to believe it would make a most excellent SD load.
[Hornady’s 140gr LeverEvo ammo as well–the polymer tip in theory should prevent debris from clogging the HP aperture]
~R C
Are there any existing data on gel tests of .357/.38 ammunition?
Looky [b]HERE[/b]
Are there any existing data on gel tests of .357/.38 ammunition?
Thanks–I have seen that one.
Hoping Doc has some data.
There is a lot of data. Until DocGKR has time to respond with his data, you might try the search function. There is some good discussion pertinent to your question here:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=25746&highlight=Magnum+Performance
I prefer using hard-cast loads for hunting. Buffalo Bore makes good factory ammo. 158gr. or 180gr. is fine for deer of any size. For self defense use a 125gr. JHP like Federal Classic Hi Shok.
Mine, too…