Best .357 ammo for deer?

[Redthies]

For any of you guys that hunt with your .357s, which is your ammo of choice? My research so far says 158 grain SJSP, and of that, the Winchester Super X variety seems to be the hottest load. Anything else that isn’t too obscure that you’d recommend in factory ammo?

Thanks!

[JEBar]

we prefer 158 gr JHP bullets for NC deer, most of which can't be considered to have large, heavy bodies .... for bigger bodied deer we prefer 158 gr JSP bullets .... we load our own so, I can't provide any recommendations on the performance of factory ammo .... my best recommendation would be to find a brand your Henry really likes

[PT7]

Redthies,

There are quite a number of threads on .357 ammo preferences/suggestions for hunting whitetail deer. I'd search through the ammunition sub-forum for them. (There are chats on this ammo in other forum areas, too). Here is one from mid-July for you to look at: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... +hunt+deer
PT7

For any of you guys that hunt with your .357s, which is your ammo of choice? My research so far says 158 grain SJSP, and of that, the Winchester Super X variety seems to be the hottest load. Anything else that isn’t too obscure that you’d recommend in factory ammo?

Thanks!

[ESquared]

Based on recommendations here, I ended up going with Hornady 158 gr XTP (I believe; will double check the suffix part).

[Redthies]

Redthies,

There are quite a number of threads on .357 ammo preferences/suggestions for hunting whitetail deer. I'd search through the ammunition sub-forum for them.

That’s where I started, but there are exactly 11 threads in the ammo section, and none other than mine pertain to .357

I should have been smart enough to search big game hunting section too. I only had 2 espresso shots in me this morning;)

[Redthies]

we prefer 158 gr JHP bullets for NC deer, most of which can't be considered to have large, heavy bodies .... for bigger bodied deer we prefer 158 gr JSP bullets .... we load our own so, I can't provide any recommendations on the performance of factory ammo .... my best recommendation would be to find a brand your Henry really likes

We have mule deer and white tail,and I’d bet our white tail are probably on the larger than average size, so I guess I’ll look to jsp for the hunting round. I did some reading on 180 grain Buffalo Bore cast rounds, but I think that’s “overkill”.

[roddy]

Factory ammunition?

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[Redthies]

Factory, yes. I sold my reloading gear years ago. I barely have time to shoot, let alone load!

[North Country Gal]

Back in my hunting days, I always had good luck with the Hornady XTPs. I agree about not going to the 180 grain hardcast loads. Those are deep penetration loads designed for self-defense against bears. I'd rather have an expanding bullet load for deer.

[Vaquero]

No factory data here. But,
the one and only time I hunted with my 357 rifle.
I used a hand loaded 158 gr swc,
and at 90+ yds a nice 8 point only made a couple steps after it made contact.

Sorry, I weren't of no help.
Pretty much all of my deer huntin these days is with cast bullets.
357, 35 Rem., 41 Mag., 44 Mag., 444 Marlin, and 45 colt.
the 30-30's, & 308 MX both get 170 gr sp.

RP

[Bms]

I would like to hear of all experiences with your ammo. I have a S&W .357, and a Henry .357 lever, that between my kids and myself have taken8-9 deer with, using everything from 158gr. HP to 180gr Sp, never once have had a pass through. We have lost 1, have recovered all others, I’m going to try the Buffalo Bore 180 hard cast this year. I would rather have a pass trough and a blood trail as opposed to a bullet expand but not pass through. What am I missing? Our shots have never been more than 40yds. Are you guys getting pass throughs with HP, or SP?

[CT_Shooter]

I would like to hear of all experiences with your ammo.

Welcome to the forum from CT. We have several members who have successfully hunted with .357s and I'm sure you'll be getting several replies to questions. Glad you joined the conversation.

[PT7]

_WELCOME!_.jpg (16.33 KiB) Viewed 5126 times

Greetings from the Show-Me-State; glad you joined the Forum, bms.

I'd think at a 40-50 yard distance, the Buffalo Bore 180 hard cast would run through a whitetail. That manufacturer makes some serious hunting ammo. If you do use it and harvest a deer this season, it would be great to read of your experience. Best to you and the kids out in the woods!

PT7

[Mags]

.
Welcome to the forum from the TV Oregon.

...

[JEBar]

I would like to hear of all experiences with your ammo. I have a S&W .357, and a Henry .357 lever, that between my kids and myself have taken8-9 deer with, using everything from 158gr. HP to 180gr Sp, never once have had a pass through. We have lost 1, have recovered all others, I’m going to try the Buffalo Bore 180 hard cast this year. I would rather have a pass trough and a blood trail as opposed to a bullet expand but not pass through. What am I missing? Our shots have never been more than 40yds. Are you guys getting pass throughs with HP, or SP?

first, welcome to our forum, delighted to have you join us .... our sons have deer hunted with Ruger GP100's with 6" barrels for 30 some years .... we load our own ammo and the vast majority of the time we use Nosler 158 gr JHP's .... when going for boar or heavier bodied game we use Nosler 158 gr JSP's .... to say I'm old school would be a considerable understatement .... back when 30-06's were coming on the scene, I well remember listening to "pass through" discussions among the bear hunters in my Grandfather's hunting club .... my Grandfather wanted his bullets to expend all of their energy within the animal, he felt any expended after the bullet left the animal was wasted .... I understand the blood trail concern but I find I agree with my Grandfather .... as to effective range, the boy's GP's have proven to be highly effective at 50+ yards .... with the additional muzzle velocity generated by the longer barrel of a Henry rifle, I believe that effective range would be considerably longer .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and add your Henry to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 852#p73852

[Slugnut]

I reload the Hornady 158g. XTP, FP. You can shoot them at velocities up to 1800fps. the accuracy is also very good out of my Ruger 77/357. It makes a good 50-75yd. deer rifle. You do your part and this round will do its on deer.

[white cloud]

I reload the Hornady 158g. XTP, FP. You can shoot them at velocities up to 1800fps. the accuracy is also very good out of my Ruger 77/357. It makes a good 50-75yd. deer rifle. You do your part and this round will do its on deer.

This is my experience also. I would be confident in taking shots under 100 yards. As Slugnut states, it's all about putting the bullet where it belongs. I have never recovered an 158 grain .357 XTP from a deer. They were all "pass throughs". They all caused significant damage and left a blood trail. No deer has gone more than 20 yards after being shot.

[russjb60]

I have been asking the same question LOL, I have heard 158 gr and 180gr. looking forward to deer hunting this year with my henry great gun. Next thing will be a scope old eyes.

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from CT and thanks for joining the conversation. I look forward to your hunting reports!!! Good luck.

I have been asking the same question LOL, I have heard 158 gr and 180gr. looking forward to deer hunting this year with my henry great gun. Next thing will be a scope old eyes.

[JEBar]

I have heard 158 gr and 180gr. looking forward to deer hunting this year with my henry great gun.

we've used 158's since the mid '60's .... during that time we put plenty in the freezer .... haven't ever had a deer fight off a 158 .... for that matter, haven't had a boar or black bear fight of one as well