Factory 357 for deer

[Old Cane]

I'm sure you guys are sick of answering the same stuff over and over. I'll try not to make you sick by asking it a little differently.

I have a couple of Colt clones, both are supposed to shoot 357s but I have only shot 38sp cowboy loads. I don't have any 357 dies and wouldn't have time to set things up anyway so my question is, what factory ammo would you recommed that is is powerful enough for deer under 50 yards but not too tough on the guns? If I had Rugers I wouldn't be asking.

Thanks.

[Mikey]

Old Cane - factory 357 loads in 158 grain jacketed soft point or 180 grain jacketed soft point should completely penetrate a whitetail's chest cavity out to about 75 yds.  50 yds would be better and the heavier load, the 180 grain, should be able to break through the shoulder girdle and anchor them pretty decisively at those ranges.  I think Federal makes some pretty hefty loads in that caliber and possibly Winchester too but it has been so long since I have purchased factory loads that possibly one of the other posters can bring in more specifics.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Robert357]

I mostly handload, but periodically, at the range where I shoot we are required to requalify at 25 yards on the pistol range for the caliber that we shoot.  When we do that we are required to use standard factory ammo and must score 60 or above to prove we have a basic degree of accuracy.  It is never a problem, but something they do to say to their insurance company and neighbors that they have standards for their members.

Most of the factory stuff is pretty tame, with the exception of some federal "jacketed, exposed lead flat pointed" 158 gr ammo that seems as hot or hotter than my hotest 357 Mag hand loads.  The stuff is not hollow point but flat pointed with a lot of lead sticking out beyond the jacketing.  I still have about 20 rounds of it.  It is as hot or hotter than when I load using Alliant 2400 at a little above "max" load.  

Since it is factory ammo and not rated +P your colt clone should be ok as long as you don't shoot it every week and it is really a 357 mag revolver.

The classic, historic 357 hunting load is called a Keith Bullet of about 170 grain with hardened lead a semi-wadcutter configuration.  
 
Good luck

[Old Cane]

Thanks guys. I got with the manufacturer today and asked if any or all 357 was ok for it. They said as long as it was not +P (I've been out of factory stuff for so long I thought that was only for 38sp) I'd be ok provided I didn't shoot tons of it. I figure a box to get used to the point of aim and then depending on the deer population, one box over a period of a few years.

[kciH]

Since you are just going to hunt with it, I'd go with the Federal Cast Core 180gr load.  You can easily top it with handloads, but it's a better bet to give you complete penetration than any jacketed load.  I'd take the hard cast bullet over any jacketed bullet in a .357, and your concerns with pressure would only reinforce my selection.  It will have lower pressure than any jacketed bullet load pushed to the same velocity.

[Old Cane]

Thanks, that's the one I was looking at but I don't see much listed on pressure in the factory literature. Looks like it will be just what I need.

[JRWHITETAIL]

If you want to shoot factory boolets out of your gun I sugest you buy one box of each style boolet you want. That is the only way you can find the boolet that works best in your gun. Each gun is different, and what shoots good for me may not shoot good for you. I do believe that what ever goes out the other side of a deer is waisted. The idea is to put them down as fast as posible. I go with hollow points as much as I can. The rule of thumb is 1,000 foot pounds  for a deer. So I try to put as much WACK in the deer as posible.

[cbagman]

My favorite length in .45 Colt is a 7.5 inch barrel in the Ruger Blackhawk and a 12 inch Bullberry in the Thompson Contender. I shoot the 7.5 inch more accurately in the revolver and the weight helps if you use stout loads.. My stout load is 24.0 G IMR4227 behind a 250grain JHP. I use Midway, Federal, or Black Hills cases as they seem to be thicker and grip the bullet better.. I would consider a 6.5 inch revolver barrel if the frame is not alloy.. I do not recall ever shooting a factory load in any .45 Colt gun..I like to cast 255g SWC and push them with 9 to 9.6grains of Unique..Cbagman