.357 Ammo Recommendation

[ESquared]

Hi,
New Guy back again. Feel like I'm blogging, with all my questions, trials and tribulations, so thanks for putting up with my endless queries.

I'm ready to seriously dial in my BBS .357 with its Skinner Lo Pro/Lyman Globe set-up, and it's been recommended that I do this fine-tuning with the ammo with which I would ultimately intend to hunt.

So, here goes. It's Missouri white-tails, almost assuredly under 75 yards, most likely 50 yards or less.

Just based on posts here and there on this Forum, and other interweb research, a couple of rounds stand out: American Eagle 158 gr soft point and the 140 Gr Hornady Lever Evolution. I've shot both brands in handguns in other calibers with success and I have no overriding bias when it comes to handgun rounds like .357. Not really fond of Blazer Brass, but don't know that this aversion plays into this conversation.

What say you to the New Guy? It'll all go bang and kill a deer. I'm a new hunter but by no means a new shooter, so I'm going in confident of my shot placement abilities. Does it really matter or is there an overriding factor that I'm missing, given my situation?

As always, TIA!

[JEBar]

sound advice indeed ..... will you be loading your own or using factory rounds

[ESquared]

No re-loading. Factory ammo for this kid.

[Abnermal]

Take a serious look at any ammo that uses a 158 grain Hornady XTP bullet. Have used the .44 caliber 240 grain XTP in a muzzleloader with wonderful results on deer.

[JEBar]

No re-loading. Factory ammo for this kid.

10-4 ... I agree with the recommendation for 158 gr bullets .... we use Nosler JHP's in our 357 rifles and revolvers .... to date, we've never had a deer or boar shrug one off and get away

[North Country Gal]

Please DO ask questions. Glad to get them. Sharing is what this forum is all about. Keep 'em coming.

Another vote for staying with 158 grain standard loads. The Hornady XTP hunting loads will do a good job. For less expensive practice rounds, the Mag-tech 158 357s shoot accurately in all my 357s.

Be careful with FTX loads. They will shoot to a different POI and some rifles just won't shoot them well. Only way to know is to try them in yours. Have never used them for hunting, so can't comment, there.

[ESquared]

Please DO ask questions. Glad to get them. Sharing is what this forum is all about. Keep 'em coming.

Another vote for staying with 158 grain standard loads. The Hornady XTP hunting loads will do a good job. For less expensive practice rounds, the Mag-tech 158 357s shoot accurately in all my 357s.

Be careful with FTX loads. They will shoot to a different POI and some rifles just won't shoot them well. Only way to know is to try them in yours. Have never used them for hunting, so can't comment, there.

You guys are awesome, but you're starting to talk in code.

FTX = Flex Tip Bullet = Hornady LeverEvolution? I'm good with steering clear, just want to make sure I'm decoding properly.

Will look at Hornady XTP Hunting loads and see what the difference is in cost for MagTech for practice. All 158. Got it.

Thanks again, NCG, and all of you!

[BigAl52]

I will put another vote in for the 158gr XTP bullet. When I load my own and want performance and accuracy I use the Hornady 158Gr XTP bullet everytime. They have always shot good in any 357 levergun I have used them in.

[Jdl447]

American Eagle 158 gr soft point.
This would be my choice.

[Mistered]

I will put another vote in for the 158gr XTP bullet. When I load my own and want performance and accuracy I use the Hornady 158Gr XTP bullet everytime.

Probably the finest bullet made for the .38/.357 in any weight - a bit spendy but unquestionable performance and accuracy.

[ESquared]

Have some of each - Hornady 158 gr XTP and MagTech 158 gr FN - on order. Found the Hornady for $16.99/box of 25, so could have been worse.

Once I get all this in hand and sorted out, I'll post up in Range Reports if it's anything worth posting about.

[GFK]

Once I get all this in hand and sorted out, I'll post up in Range Reports if it's anything worth posting about.

I found most days at the range are good days. Even for the best, there is some room for improvement. Keep shooting. It will all work out. Once you reach you peak, try something different.

[Mags]

Shooting is fun period. Love being outdoors practicing, working out technique and tuning of sights. Keep it up and enjoy being there.

[ESquared]

Once I get all this in hand and sorted out, I'll post up in Range Reports if it's anything worth posting about.

I found most days at the range are good days. Even for the best, there is some room for improvement. Keep shooting. It will all work out. Once you reach you peak, try something different.

Shooting is fun period. Love being outdoors practicing, working out technique and tuning of sights. Keep it up and enjoy being there.

Absolutely right, fellers! This has been a great time so far, thanks to the generosity and spirit of the likes of you and others on the forum who are able and willing to share their expertise, experience and opinions.

Thanks again to all of you.

[PT7]

Good ammo suggestions so far from all the Henry Folk.
I've shot a variety of XTP brands out of my BB .357, and these two are possibly already on your next ammo shopping list. Between these two, my rifle is partial to the FM ammo.

Fiocchi 158gr Extrema XTP HP
Freedom Munitions 158gr XTP

The ammo I and my Big Boy particularly like is Black Hills 158gr JHP. I would use it when next out on deer hunt.

I agree with GFK. Shooting your Carbine will tell the end of the story.

Once I get all this in hand and sorted out, I'll post up in Range Reports if it's anything worth posting about.
I found most days at the range are good days. Even for the best, there is some room for improvement. Keep shooting. It will all work out. Once you reach you peak, try something different.

Next fall, ESquared, everyone will look forward to viewing your deer harvest photos! Have fun getting there.

[bmsma]

check out buffalo bore as well, pricey but good ammo, and btw im jealous because n missouri hunting is enjoyable, if you get from say maysville and east towards kirksville and north to the iowa line you can find some whitetail/muley crosses, they will be a bit darker and bigger. and they are all corn feed up there,

and since mo is the show me state i vote you send us all a bit of proof and im calling dibbs on the tenderloin

Troy

[220]

Hornady actually make 2 158gr XTP bullets, a hollow point and a flat point.
The FP is designed to be tougher and hold together better at rifle velocities, I use mainly cast now in mine but the bullet that would be top of my list to try if I went back to jacketed would be the 180gr XTP.

I think Hornady only load the HP 158gr XTP so the above is pretty much worthless info when it comes to factory ammo.

[TNman]

I tend to like the heavier bullets for good penetration....I used the Federal premium with 180g Swift bullets to kill 3 deer last Fall. All were one shot kills at about 50, 60, and 70 yards. Two shots were broadside and one angling away...did not get complete penetration on any. I prefer complete penetration for a better blood trail if needed. These cartridges are pricy but I only use them for hunting. I don’t load .357...maybe I should; the 180g xtp mentioned above sounds like something that I would like.

[TNman]

I tend to like the heavier bullets for good penetration....I used the Federal premium with 180g Swift bullets to kill 3 deer last Fall. All were one shot kills at about 50, 60, and 70 yards. Two shots were broadside and one angling away...did not get complete penetration on any. I prefer complete penetration for a better blood trail if needed. These cartridges are pricy but I only use them for hunting. I don’t load .357...maybe I should; the 180g xtp mentioned above sounds like something that I would like. Here are a couple pics of hearts and a deer...

[PT7]

I'd already noted above my preference to deer hunt with Black Hills 158gr JHP. But reading your comments re. a heavier bullet, plus last year's good harvest results of three deer using the Federal, give me pause to think. I have a stock of the Federal Vital Shok 180gr Swift A-Frame JHP ammo. I got it early this year thinking about trying the heavier bullet and maybe using for deer. I just forgot about it until your post. Think I'll take it along next range outing to compare it and the BHA out of my Carbine.

BTW, in your first photo what is the knife you have there? I'm looking at getting another knife, which I'd like to take with me this fall/winter when hunting either deer or rabbits. I like the looks of your handle. Is it more rounded and thicker? If so, is it also comfortable and solid-to-use? Looks to be. And what is the blade length? It's a very similar configuration to the woods knife I'm considering, which has a fully-rounded handle. Would like to find out what yours is....thanks.
PT7

I tend to like the heavier bullets for good penetration....I used the Federal premium with 180g Swift bullets to kill 3 deer last Fall. All were one shot kills at about 50, 60, and 70 yards. Two shots were broadside and one angling away...did not get complete penetration on any. I prefer complete penetration for a better blood trail if needed. These cartridges are pricy but I only use them for hunting. I don’t load .357...maybe I should; the 180g xtp mentioned above sounds like something that I would like. Here are a couple pics of hearts and a deer...