Best .357mag round for deer?

[evidrine]

I'm going to start off by saying that I dont handload, so this is not an option. I am looking for your opinions on what is the ideal "factory loaded" .357mag rounds available for deer. At the moment a 158gr seemsto be the best I can find for off the shelf loads. Any certain brands you guys recommemd?

[bilmac]

I tried 145 gr Winchester silvertips twice and can't say I was very impressed with them. You would think they would be the cat's meow.

[evidrine]

I had looked at the Hornady rounds @ 140gr. but it says on the box that it is recommended for game under 50lbs. I tried the Barnes Vor-tx rounds @ 140gr. because they claim to be hunting rounds and recommended for whitetail deer. I can find 158gr rounds in cheaper ammo brands.  Even though they are cheaper rounds, I really want to believe the the 158gr would be better for larger game than the 140gr. I am really curious to know if any of you have found anything better.

[evidrine]

I see that Hornady also makes a 158gr JHP/XTP @ 1250fps/548 muzzle energy. Seems the best so far. What would be your opinions on these?

[evidrine]

Anyone have input on Buffalo Bore brand?

[bmb]

i can tell you that the cheap american eagle 158jsp will kill a 150lb boar at 45yrds:) i have used those cheapo rounds for years on game in the .357.....if you really want some nice factory rounds, buy some of the federal castcore 180gr. rounds. they shoot very well and recoil less than anything ive ever shot out of my gp100

[coyotejoe]

I'll second the American Eagle 158 flat points, most accurate I've tried in several guns.

[evidrine]

Do you guys know the velocity of the America eagle loads? I have heard good things about them also but never tried them. I am currently shooting the Monarch 158gr loads. They seem to be good loads. Accurate also. I just dont know much about them. Cant seem to find any real info.

[handi243]

Ill 3rd the american eagle 158 gr soft pts killed a far share of whitetail deer with them before i started reloading.

[irold]

I do reload , my hunting load for the .357 is Horn HP/XTPs  ( 158 gr) at 1200 fps.....thats near what you quoted the factory Hornady ammo at.  Personally , I really like the XTP bullet.  It has penatration and expansion......IMO the perfect handgun bullet for whitetail.  I used the 180 gr a few times (on paper), never really got good results with it. I think the 158 gr will fly a little flatter with better velocity, allowing the XTP to work its magic.  I'm sure the180 gr will work , I just think a 158 gr is better suited for your quarry.  You asked about Buff Bore , only used their product in 45 Colt......it was HOT.  I was using it in a Ruger SRH 454.....so it didn't concern me too much...I've heard others say the same ,  unless your hunting wolly Mammoths....don't think ya need that type of a load, assuming they load the .357 the same way.  Only my opinions........good shooting
 
regards irold

[evidrine]

Thanks for the good info. I agree with you on the 158gr vs 180gr. point. There is a chart on Wikipedia under .357 catridges that has good info on some of the poplular brands as far as velocity, energy, and penetration goes. I found it really helpful. I am starting to think that the 158gr Honadys may be the best way to go.

[358TC]

as two previous post stated,american eagle 158jsp work very well,
on whitetail, complete pass through at 40 yards,over the years i have
hunted deer with many different handgun calibers,they all worked
well with good shot placement,the 357 mag.will get the job done!

[Aver]

I killed three deer this year with 158 grain XTPs that a friend made.  No deer went more than 20 yards.