which .357 ammo?

[dhnut1973]

I sent my receiver in for a 7mm-08 and .357 mag barrel. I was just curious as to what everyone shoots from their .357 and what range it is effective on deer. I was thinkin 158 gr but was also considering 125 gr. Also all the ballistic charts show pistol velocity. What kind of velocity can I expect from a 22" barrel? Thanks.

[quickdtoo]

Several manuals show 357Mag rifle data since it's chambered in other rifles besides the Handi. Here's a previous thread on the .357. Hodgdon has a bunch of rifle data.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,111431.msg1098341030.html#msg1098341030

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[dhnut1973]

Thanks for the info.

[gould]

If you shoot factory ammo the Fedral 180 grain hard cast is a great round and the 180 winchester load with the nosler partition gold. For lighter bullets I like the Hornady 158 grain XTP.

[darat100]

I second the hornady 158 xtp.  By far the most accurate in my max and very deadly out to 100 yards for certain.  Maybe further, but I haven't been tested further than that.

[Badnews Bob]

I may be wrong but I feel if you are useing the lighter bullets you are wasting alot of the .357s potential. The .357 was designed around 180gr bullets( and they whack deer hard) and for hunting I think them best, I relly like the 125s and 158s for genral shooting and plinkin thou, 148gr wadcutters are great target rounds at 50 yards.


BTW my .357max sends 180gr hard cast down range at 2000 FPS Thats serious deer medicine.