.357 mag for predators

[azmark]

I have a 6" GP100 and I considered using it for coyote hunting.  Has anyone here done any coyote hunting with a .357?  What loads/bullets do you recommend?

[Gregory]

I haven't tried it, but was thinking of developing a load for my 357 Max TC Contender.  I'm looking at a 125 gr JHP bullet as my first choice.

[Mikey]

Probably the best load for coyotes in a 357 is the 125 gn bullet.  It moves fast, which is what you need for coyotes and when it hits it is very disruptive.  If they are not already dead by the time they hit the ground they will be dead before you can get to them.  JMHO and HTH.  Mikey.

[Glanceblamm]

Is sounding good...If you could sight to cover those canine vitals @100yds without shooting over the animal at say 40 & 60yds, I would say that you could hunt with confidence.
Sorry I cant help with the ballistics of that caliber, should make for a great test although many here can probably give you that answer.

[Larry Gibson]

I have a 6" GP100 and I considered using it for coyote hunting.  Has anyone here done any coyote hunting with a .357?  What loads/bullets do you recommend?

I've been using the XTP/FP over the older manual's load of BlueDot for some time. They run 1690 fps out of my Ruger 6" Security Six. I've got it zeroed so the group hits 2" high at 50 Yards and it is dead on at 100 yards which is about as far away as I can hit the vitals of a coyote with any certainty with handgun iron sights and my tired old eyes anymore from a good sitting position. The Winchester and Remington 125 HPs work quite well also. This load pushed 2000+ fps out of a 10" Contender and was REALLY death and destruction on jack rabbits.

Larry Gibson

[teddy12b]

Hey azmark,
        I'm assuming your GP100 is completely factory with any any customizations or scopes on it.  I'm just curious but how far away do you think you could hit a Coyote with your revolver?  I'm just curious because everytime I hold of those handguns I feel an urge to buy it.  I don't see why a 357 mag wouldn't knock the heck out of a coyote but then again I've never hunted them.

[azmark]

Hey azmark,
        I'm assuming your GP100 is completely factory with any any customizations or scopes on it.  I'm just curious but how far away do you think you could hit a Coyote with your revolver?  I'm just curious because everytime I hold of those handguns I feel an urge to buy it.  I don't see why a 357 mag wouldn't knock the heck out of a coyote but then again I've never hunted them.

Since you asked, it's not completely stock.  It had a trigger job done back in the day by Wilson Combat but I still have the original open sights on it.  When I first bought it, I took it to the range and easily hit the silhouette in the head from 25 meters offhand.  Understand that prior to that I had probably shot a total of 100 rounds out of any handgun, ever, and it had been at least 10 years since I shot last.  I haven't tried longer-range shooting with it yet, but I'll go check and see how it shoots with some Rem UMC 125 gr. SJHP ammo I've got.  I'll let you know.  I guess I just needed an excuse to shoot up my ammo.

[teddy12b]

How far away do you think you'd still try to take a shot at one?  Are you thinking 100 yards?  Sounds like you're a good enough shot to at least try the shot.  Let us know how it works out for you.

[azmark]

How far away do you think you'd still try to take a shot at one?  Are you thinking 100 yards?  Sounds like you're a good enough shot to at least try the shot.  Let us know how it works out for you.

Until I prove to myself that I can hit something further, I'll try to keep it to about 50 yards.  If I miss, I could theoretically still hit one of the closer neighbors, although everybody is probably a half-mile away in the direction I'd be shooting, and there are mesquites between us.

[teddy12b]

If you're talking about a 50 yard shot with the possibility of the bullets flying off the neightbors place have you considered using the heaviest bullet you can find instead of the lightest?  Won't be much differnence in 50 yards, but it would slow down faster for you and keep the neighbors happy.  I don't know where or how you're hunting but it sounds like you've taken a lot into consideration.  I'd love to hear how that gun does on a coyote.

[navylawdog]

Azmark,

You could do like teddy12b said and go with a bigger bullet if you are worried about neighbors or you could even go as far as using a .38 special +P loading if you have them. As long as you kept your shots close which it sounds like you intend to do. Something in the 125 to 158 grain range and within 50 yards and you should be good. I have never used these in a pistol before but have used 158 grain lead hollow points out of my Marlin 1894C with good results.

Navylawdog

[Jerry Lester]

If you're not planning on shooting a fox with it, use a 140g XTP-HP at about 1400 fps or so.

You'll get a caliber sized entry, and in most cases about a nickel to quarter sized exit. With a chest shot, you won't have many, if any runners to track. You'll have a good 75 yard, flat shooting, hard hitting combo that with a little hold over will still anchor a coyote at 100 yards.

Happy hunting!

[OLDHandgunner]

For predators the 125 JHP is probably the best all around bullet. I've found over the years the best all around 357 Mag. round for me has been the 140 JHP ( now the XTP ). A little heavy for varmints, but it will do the job.

[azmark]

If you're not planning on shooting a fox with it, use a 140g XTP-HP at about 1400 fps or so.

You'll get a caliber sized entry, and in most cases about a nickel to quarter sized exit. With a chest shot, you won't have many, if any runners to track. You'll have a good 75 yard, flat shooting, hard hitting combo that with a little hold over will still anchor a coyote at 100 yards.

Happy hunting!

Does somebody load that commercially?

[Jerry Lester]

Not that I know of, but I load all my centerfire myself, so I'm not up to date on current factory loads.

[cowboyup453]

If you're not planning on shooting a fox with it, use a 140g XTP-HP at about 1400 fps or so.

You'll get a caliber sized entry, and in most cases about a nickel to quarter sized exit. With a chest shot, you won't have many, if any runners to track. You'll have a good 75 yard, flat shooting, hard hitting combo that with a little hold over will still anchor a coyote at 100 yards.

Happy hunting!

Does somebody load that commercially?

yes but its kinda pricey.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=412571

[azmark]

Hey azmark,
        I'm assuming your GP100 is completely factory with any any customizations or scopes on it.  I'm just curious but how far away do you think you could hit a Coyote with your revolver?  I'm just curious because everytime I hold of those handguns I feel an urge to buy it.  I don't see why a 357 mag wouldn't knock the heck out of a coyote but then again I've never hunted them.

I went out with my son yesterday to try out some wadcutters we loaded.  Just to see how I would do, I tried a 125gr SJHP.  I set up a milk jug and went 50 yards and shot from a sitting position.  I hit the jug pretty close to the middle, definitely in the vitals if it had been a coyote, so the gun is up to it.  I only shot the one time so I can't tell what kind of grouping I might have had.  I'll try again from further away today.  Depending on your eyesight and a good steady hold, teddy12b, I think you could count on it at 100 yards.  I got the feeling yesterday that I would have to practice a lot and maybe get a scope to be consistent at 100 yards or more.  As far as the gun itself goes, I love mine.  You should get one.

[teddy12b]

Hey azmark,
      Glad to hear you had a good day with your pistol.  It's on my list of guns to buy for sure!  I know I should get one, but my wife and budget think I've spent enough on guns lately.  We'll see just how nice the tax man is to me this year, but I got one I'd have to put the hogue rubber grips on right away.  I just love those grips!

[Old Griz]

As most everyone has agreed, the .357 is a fine round for coyotes. One of my favorite predator combinations is a 6" Colt (for shots 50 yards and under), and a Marlin 1894 CB, also a .357, for longer shots. I know some of you young bucks can hit with an open sight handgun at 100 yards, but at my age, I don't see that good any more. I do much better with the rifle at that range.