Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry

.357 Ammo Recommendation

User avatar
ESquared
Deputy Administrator
Posts: 2911
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:00 pm
Location: KC Area
United States of America

.357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by ESquared » Wed Jul 11, 2018 4:46 pm

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!
0 x
BB Steel .357 | SGC 22LR | LR .308 | CCH 30-30 | BB Brass .45 Colt (Carbine) | Single Shot 20 gauge | Single Shot .223 | Single Shot 357

User avatar
JEBar
Town Marshal / Deputy Admin
Posts: 19270
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:58 pm
Location: central NC
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by JEBar » Wed Jul 11, 2018 5:33 pm

sound advice indeed ..... will you be loading your own or using factory rounds :?:
0 x

User avatar
ESquared
Deputy Administrator
Posts: 2911
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:00 pm
Location: KC Area
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by ESquared » Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:16 pm

No re-loading. Factory ammo for this kid.
0 x
BB Steel .357 | SGC 22LR | LR .308 | CCH 30-30 | BB Brass .45 Colt (Carbine) | Single Shot 20 gauge | Single Shot .223 | Single Shot 357

Abnermal
Cowhand
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2017 8:46 pm
Location: S.E Ohio
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by Abnermal » Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:35 pm

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.
0 x
I can remember saying I'd never own a GLOCK,never own an AR15 and never get married. I found out that never is a long,long time!

User avatar
JEBar
Town Marshal / Deputy Admin
Posts: 19270
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:58 pm
Location: central NC
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by JEBar » Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:43 pm

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
0 x

User avatar
North Country Gal
Firearms Advisor
Posts: 6054
Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:46 pm
Location: northern Wisconsin
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by North Country Gal » Wed Jul 11, 2018 7:46 pm

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.
0 x

User avatar
ESquared
Deputy Administrator
Posts: 2911
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:00 pm
Location: KC Area
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by ESquared » Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:33 pm

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!
0 x
BB Steel .357 | SGC 22LR | LR .308 | CCH 30-30 | BB Brass .45 Colt (Carbine) | Single Shot 20 gauge | Single Shot .223 | Single Shot 357

User avatar
BigAl52
Forum Ambassador
Posts: 13638
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2016 12:43 pm
Location: Evans,Colorado
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by BigAl52 » Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:14 pm

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.
0 x
Don't worry about getting older and still doing stupid stuff. You'll do the stupid stuff as always, only much slower. Hold my beer and watch this.......


H001T .22LR
H001T .22LR MONUMENT VALLEY
H003T PUMP .22LR
BBS .41 MAG
SS .357
SIDE GATE 38-55

Jdl447
Cowhand
Posts: 409
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 11:22 pm
Location: North East Ohio
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by Jdl447 » Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:27 pm

American Eagle 158 gr soft point.
This would be my choice.
0 x
When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus.

User avatar
Mistered
Drover
Posts: 3372
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 9:32 pm
Location: Wickiup Junction, OR
United States of America

Re: .357 Ammo Recommendation

Post by Mistered » Thu Jul 12, 2018 12:03 am

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.
1 x

Post Reply