Henry Rifle Forums

All I have right now is 158 gr. Round cast bullets. 357 Cal.. would they be good for deer hunting?.Or should I get some heavy flat nose..

I80 gr. flat nose would be my choice if using cast lead bullets.

I have never hunted with cast so no personal experience here. That being said, It’s my understanding that a RN profile bullet tends to slip and slide in between and around bone and other hard tissues. This will give you good penetration but limited tissue and bone damage. A FP profile especially a very wide FP will do more cutting and smashing.

Others with experience will chime in I’m sure.

I so carry hardcast ammo in my woods gun and my ammo choice is a very wide FP.

Have to agree with forty and Hatchdog on this. The RN ought to be fine for sighting in/target practice tho. Then, do the same with some 180 rnfp.

I agree, do NOT use a round nose solid bullet for hunting, it is likely to result in a wounded animal that runs off, it is unethical. I would look for some JHP small game bullets like Hornady XTPs.... you can use https://ammoseek.com/reloading/bullets/.357-diameter/ to find sources, here is one.


I will ask since nobody else has, what revolver or rifle, and what caliber? .357 Mag, .357 Max. .350 Legend?

John Davies
Spokane WA

Appreciate your reply

I've been reloading 158gr Nosler. I don't hunt deer anymore but if I did I think I'd use them for hunting as well.
Jake

I have taken deer with a 357 before, but that particular time it was a JSP, but if I were to try it now it would be with the 180 pugnose from Missouri bullet company which is a WFN design.

RP

Have only taken one deer with my 357 using cast and it was a small one at that around 120lbs.
180gr NOE WFP but cast as a 170gr hp, through the lungs and it took about 10 steps before falling over, bullet exited and deer was dead by the time I walked to 70y from where I took the shot.

I just ordered some 180 gr. Flat nose hard cast coated bullets. Appreciate your replies..from t&b cast bullets

Johnnyjr wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 10, 2021 6:55 am

I just ordered some 180 gr. Flat nose hard cast coated bullets. Appreciate your replies..

If you have any 2400, myself and a few others here have had pretty good results with around 11.5 grs.

RP

Yep,I have two lbs of it..

Johnnyjr wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 10, 2021 6:55 am

I just ordered some 180 gr. Flat nose hard cast coated bullets. Appreciate your replies..from t&b cast bullets

That was going to be my reply. He ships fast and no shipping cost. Hard to beat that.

If you want some lead hollow points try GT bullets, he has lead hollow points from 145gr to 165gn. Nice uniform bullets, I bought some in 45colt for hunting

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:18 am

Johnnyjr wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 10, 2021 6:55 am

I just ordered some 180 gr. Flat nose hard cast coated bullets. Appreciate your replies..

If you have any 2400, myself and a few others here have had pretty good results with around 11.5 grs.

RP

What Randy said. Around 11.5gr 2400 and those 180's should be an excellent load. It has been for us.