.357 magnum ammo selection help

[thelaw]

i have a S&W M-19 with a 4" barrel. i do not hunt with hanguns much, but was wondering what would be some recommended factory ammo fo the .357 in the event i wanted to dispatch a smallish southern whitetail or hog? the main use of this firearm is setting in the closet for home defense.

[Jerry Lester]

Any factory loaded 158g SP that shoots well in your gun. With a full house 158g SP load(most factory 158g ammo is pretty stout), you'll be fine up to 50 yards or slightly farther. Just follow the rules of proper shot placement, and you'll see a deer flopping, at, or very shortly after the shot.

[Blammer]

I would highly recommend a 180 gr bullet with a wide flat point.

I think Hornady makes a good 180 gr 357 mag hunting load.

[Ak.Hiker]

The American Eagle 158 SP by Federal has always shot well in my 357 Magnums. Not sure what bullet they are loading but it always holds together when I have tested it in logs and stumps. Jerry Lester is the resident 357 expert so I would take his advise on this one.

[thelaw]

thanks

[oneshotonekill]

The federal 180 cast core is another option in factory ammo. 

[terry]

 In the 158gr 357 load I am haveing great luck with the new federal fusion ammo. I have taken about 4 small to medium sized hogs with it this spring/eary summer.  The bullet is sort of a cross between a SP and HP.It looks like a Sp with a cone in the center not real deep like a HP bullet. Seems to have good controlled expanding bullet that gets as big as most HP loads but does it more slowly.The 158gr fusion would make a great deer load! A 180gr cast load is hard to beat also if you think you may run into one of thse 300lb boars while running arounhd in the woods.

[Old Griz]

Yeah, what the last two guys said.

[blhof]

The gun somewhat dictates what to use; try different bullets mentioned and see what your gun prefers.  Each gun is different; my DW 357 mag would shoot 1/2" groups with 155 and 158 lead but 3"+  groups with the 180's.   150 and up with the 357 and good shot placement will do the job so look for the best grouping and go with that.

[ms]

Jerry know best go out buy some 158 sp and go hunting I have 4in ruger that loves 158.

[JKump]

I also have had good luck with the Federal Fusion 158 grain.

[.357 shooter]

I am new to the site but I have killed many whitetails with the .357. I use a New Model black hawk 4 5/8 stainless. I live in the Catskill mountain area of NY. The deer are not very large 150 to 160 sometimes but usually smaller. Jerry is right a good factory 158gr sp works great. But I have been for the last three years  testing the 125s in my shorter barreled gun. My limit is 50-60 yards but most shots are 40 and closer. I have been using the 125 Remington umc ammo. I do not reload. This ammo is very accurate they advertise it at 1450 from a 4inch barrel, but I am getting between 1550-1600fps. I have shot three deer with it. a spike last year at 30yards broadside through both lungs. Lungs shredded and bullet in and out unrecovered. Doe year before, 40yds quartering to. Bullet went in just infront of left shoulder took out front of left lung and heart, bullet in and out unrecoverded. Third deer large doe, facing me head on 25 yards. Bullet went in took out heart and part of the back of the right lung and stopped in right hip. Bullet exspanded nicely alot of damage in all three deer and penetration very good. Now with this said I prefer soft points over hollow points. I like the remington bullets they use in their ammo whether it be 125 or 158 grains. The three deer died alot faster with the 125s than the many others I have shot with the 158s, and the deer I have shot with 44 and 41 mags. This is at short ranges, I can not give you any exsperience on longer shots over 50 yards. I am still testing the 125s so far so good, but more time is still needed for a true assestment. But I am really starting to like this ammo.

Bryan

[camsdaddy]

How would barrel length be affect ammo selection.

[Cabin4]

Winchester loads a 180 Nosler Partition in the 357. I have used this with outstanding results on deer & hogs from my GP100 and lever gun.

[gypsyman]

With a 4'' barrel, bullets in the mid range weight will pick up more of their intended velocity. A heavier bullet needs a little longer barrel to pick up it's speed. 'course alot depends on weather whoever loaded the ammo used a faster or slower burning powder. An 8'' barrel with the same ammo might pick up over 200fps, depending on powder, and that might make the difference on weather the bullet gets stabilized in flight.-gypsyman

[buck460XVR]

My 686 likes the 158's as compared to other factory loads, maybe it's just me, but they just shoot the best out of it. I have taken deer with both Blazer jhp's and the new Fusions. I tend to look at the .357 as a weapon equal to a good compound bow and use it accordingly.