357 mag. 158gr factory loads for whitetails

[W]

Years ago I use to handload but now I only use factory loads. I have had good results with my Ruger Blackhawk 357mag. and Remington's 158 gr JHP's on 3 NY whitetails (2-4pointers and a doe). The last 2 time I went to a local range they had Federal American Eagle in 158gr JSP and Magtech also in 158 JSP. They both shoot very well in my Blackhawk.
I have 2 questions
1) In the real world hunting situation will these brands of ammunition work as well as the remington's ?  In other words is one brand significantly slower or less reliable than another out of the same gun?
2) I still have time to check out 180gr's, will they really make that much of a difference over the 158's on NY whitetails?
Thanks
Warren

[Mohawk]

The only deer I've seen shot with a JHP .357 Mag was hit with 180gr. Winchester Partition Gold. The guy was using a 4" Model 28 S&W. It was ugly. Broadside lung hit with a silver dollar exit hole. The guy said the deer did a complete circle standing in place and then toppled. I actually picked some of these up and they shot quite well in my model 19 and I may try them this year. I've also seen 158gr. SWC do well if you like those.

[Del]

Personally I would use the Winchester 180 grn Partition factory load if I was you!  The JHP will deliver some good shock and the Partition w/ remaining bullet weight should drive clear through if the range is kept reasonable!  Good luck!!

Del

[Gregory]

Warren
I'd take the load you know that works and the ones your considering using and shoot them, one shot each, into gallon milk jugs filled with water.  Set the jugs up at about 50 yds.  If the other loads have a similiar effect on the milk jug, they should work about the same on deer.

[Dave in WV]

I'd stay with the Remington load since you know it works.

[New Hampshire]

I, too, have heard great things about the 180 Partitions.  While I dont shoot deer with my .357 (at least have not yet) this would probably be my choice load, assuming I didnt handload.  And even though I do handload I would probably still choose the Nosler 180 bullet.  I think it was the great man himself, Graybeard, who said "if you cant kill it with a partition then it probably cant be killed."  Or at least something along those lines  :grin: .
Brian M.

[De41mag]

Warren;

I would stay with the 158gr. HOLLOW POINTS! Due to the making of the bullet, which is an HP. The other rounds you mentioned were JSP's which means less expanison. Also I would check Federal's web sight, for specs on that 158gr. JSP bullet. American Eagle rounds are loaded a considerable amount less in velocity, over their higher priced rounds. I know for sure their 44 round is less velocity by about a hundred to a hundred and fifty FPS than their Classic round. I'm not sure about Magtech.
Good Shooting.

Dennis  

[W]

Thanks everyone for the replys.
De41mag's idea of looking up the manufacturer's web sites was a good one.
I found that all the 158gr loadings were identical.
Winchester's  180gr looks to have about 11% more energy out at 50 yards.
The three whitetails I shot with the 158 JHP were broad side shots and they did not pass thru - they stopped on the farside hide.
I was hoping maybe the JSP might push all the way thru for a better blood trail.
I have a strong feeling that the 180's are the way to go.
Now if I can just get a NY whitetail to get within 50 yds of me 2 weeks from now so I can try the 180's.

[Jerry Lester]

I've killed quite a few deer with the 357 magnum in both a rifle, and a Ruger Blackhawk. I've tried several bullet styles, and weights, at various ranges too.

Nearly any 158g JSP factory load will give you the results you're wanting on deer. I'd suggest the Remington load, because I've been using the Remington 125g, and 158g JSPs in various loads for a good while, and they're a lot tougher than most of the others(exept hard cast).

The Remington 158g JSP factory load should not only exit, but it should bust shoulders, and exit at reasonable ranges from either a rifle or a revolver. I'm loading this bullet to 1700 fps in my 1894C, and to around 1350 fps in my Blackhawk, and the performance at those levels is great on deer.

158g HPs are not gonna exit very often on a deer. I have had a couple 158g XTP-HPs exit, but that's out of my blackhawk, at revolver velocities.

[Mohawk]

180gr. Partition Gold is a Hollow Point. A very large Hollow Point.

[Robert357]

I don't remember the brand exactly, but I do remember the bullet.  There was either an Ameican Eagle Brand or Remington Brand, that had a really hot "magnum" load with a 158 grain flat nose exposed lead, but jacketed bullet.  It had a really big flat meplate on it and the recoil was much more than other factory brands.  I know that doesn't help much, but you might look for it.

Since you want a factory load, how about a small factory, such as Buffalo Bore?

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357

There are other companies out there that also sell small lots of hunting ammo, you might try one of them as well.

Good luck

P.S.  I like 180 and 200 grain bullets as I think you get better penetration with them in a 357 Magnum.

[stevinator]

I have used the 158 grain semi-jacketed soft point from winchester  with good results. It's the deer hunting load they make in a silver box of 50. I have hollow points around that shoot well but like others mentioned how good would they be on a shoulder hit or something similar?

[HappyHunter]

I prefer the Hornady 180 hp xtp.