Henry Rifle Forums

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!

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

No re-loading. Factory ammo for this kid.

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.

ESquared wrote: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

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.

North Country Gal wrote: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!

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.

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

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.