Henry Rifle Forums

Hey folks, I am looking for recommendations on a hunting load. I will be using my 357. I had pretty much settled on the 158 grain XTP Hornady.

I have read some comments on going up to the 180 grain bullet. Is this necessary? Does it make a huge difference in recoil and bang?

I will be using factory loads this season. I hope to start reloading my own this winter.

one can certainly go up to 180 gr but we stick with 158 .... to date I've never had a deer or boar fight one off .... can't help with a recommendation for factory loads, we haven't used any since the early 60's .... if power is what you are looking for, those offered by Buffalo Bore https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l ... tail&p=102 are a bit high but are about as strong as they come

I bagged a good pig in Florida in May with the 180-grain Buffalo Bore and would highly recommend it. Recoil and noise are considerably more than the standard 158-grain, but nowhere near intolerable for hunting purposes, IMO.

Thank you both for the help. After reading up on Buffalo Bore ammo, I think their 158 grain would do the job just fine. It would appear to come up with approximately 2000 FPS, quite a significant load. Also, the bullet appears to be the Hornady XTP, or a clone of it. I will have some soon and post the results.

looking forward to hearing your assessment

I agree on the Buffalo Bore 180s as far as more recoil. It's definitely there, especially in revolvers. It's what I use for protection against bears, up here, on the very few occasions when I feel the need to carry. They also print considerably higher than standard 158s.

I've had excellent results with the Hornady LEVERevolution 140gr with the FTX tip.
Designed for use in lever guns, but work well in most platforms.

I really like Terminal Balistics Research for their in depth analysis. They go into some detail about Hornady FTX and XTP bullets and .357s.
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowled ... agnum.html

If I didn't live in California, My personal choice for a hunting round for 357 mag would be something built around a 158 Sierra Sports Master Soft point.

When you start reloading look into Hawk bullets. http://hawkbullets.com/
I agree with Ojaileveraction--
Terminal Ballistics Research is excellent advice. Actually just about the best advice I have read on here.
I own several of his books and have used his website to increase my general knowledge for handloading and shooting. When you look at his website his "in depth analysis" is based on real world holes in animals in hunting situations.

If I didn't live in California, My personal choice for a hunting round for 357 mag

Can't hunt with .357 in CA?