S&W Highway Patrolman

[Benaiah]

 Would a 4" Model 28 357 be strong enough to handle the Buffalo Bore 180 grain hunting loads? I would like to hunt deer with it, and need some advice on a good load. It's a big, strong revolver, and seems like it would handle anything. If not, can anyone recommend a hunting load that it could handle.

Thanks
TC

[wsmitty01]

Sure, that is an "N" frame revolver, same as the 44 mag,,,used it for years with some pretty stout handloads!

[Benaiah]

Smitty- Did you hunt with it with a 4" barrel? Just wondering if there is a significant drop in velocity from the 6" to 4".

[wsmitty01]

4" just kept my shots under 75 yards.

[Mikey]

Benaiah:  If you reload you can do even better than the Buffalo Bore loads.  That N-Frame Highway Patrolman will eat anything you can throw down the bore.  I had my 6 incher rebarrrelled at the factory to a 3.5" (actually wanted a 4" but they didn't have any more 4" bbls for that model so I settled for a 3.5" bbl for the M27, and they blued the entire piece - gorgeous). 

Drop in velocity - yeah. maybe some but not enough to matter.  I used to shoot 200 yd metallic silhouette with a 4" M19 using 200 gn loads and they would topple the ram.  All I shoot now in my 357s are the 200 gn semi-wadcutter and load them over 12.4 of WW296.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Benaiah]

 A 200 grn load? Wow, this thing has a vicious recoil and really loud with factory 158 grn loads. That 200 grainer must be a real wrist breaker. I had considered rebarreling to a 6" barrel, but the gun really balances well now, and is probably one of my most favorite handguns to shoot.

[Mikey]

Benaiah:  I have found the factory and handloaded 158 grainers to have more felt recoil and wrist turning snap than the heavier 200 gn loads.  I find the same thing with my shorter barrelled 44 magnum and factory 240s instead of the 300 gn slugs I prefer.

The 200 gn 357 loads seem to push more than snap and I have no problems with recoil with those loads.  Well, I shouldn't really say that but if I put factory magnum grips oin that revolver the recoil is very manageable and I can go a full round of silhouette (40 rounds) without problem, but when it wears the skinnier Buffalo Horn grips I dress it with the recoil of any of the magnum loads beats my shooting hand thumb into quick submission (lolol).  If your Highway Patrolman carries the stock (small) grip panels you might enjoy shooting the revolver more often if you got yourself a larger set of grips to help manage the recoil.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Badnews Bob]

I agree with Mikey, I use 180 gr hardcast with a stout load of w296 or h110. the recoil pushes more the 158 you get alot more muzzle climb and a sharper jab.

 BTW they work very well on deer, so do the 158 just ask Jerry he kinda likes'em

[rockbilly]

The model 28 was my first hunting handgun.  It served well in that capacity, then went to Viet Nam with me, when I returned I left it with a friend.  I acquired another one when I returned to the states, and used it hunting for several years, then I got hyopoked on Contenders.

I see nothing wrong withe .357 for whitetail as long as you keep the shots at a reasonable distance.  Just keep in mind the gun has limits, and is further limited by your ability to shoot it.  Select a good load, and practice, practice, practice.

[Benaiah]

Thanks for all the good info. I've been eyeing the 180 grain lead rounds for some time now. Now I just have to try them. Where can I order some lead bullets to reload all the empties I have?

[Badnews Bob]

I use Midway alot the 180gr Cast Performance LBT style bullets perform very well but are a little pricey, I cast my own mostly.

[Lloyd Smale]

I wont post loads anymore but my recomendation would be to load 180-200 hard cast swc at between 1000-1100 fps the recoil wont be that bad and that load will punch through alot of bone and tissue for hunting and topple just about any steel target.