COMMERCIAL LOADS FOR .357 hERRETT

[barber]

Are there any companies that sell ammo for the .357 Herrett?   Also, what would be the best bullet in a .357 Max  for black bear and elk? Thanks.

[PaulS]

Are there any companies that sell ammo for the .357 Herrett?   Also, what would be the best bullet in a .357 Max  for black bear and elk? Thanks.

Barber,

The best load for Black Bear would be a Speer 180 gr rifle bullet and a 98% load of H110. It should be good out to about 75 yards against a Black Bear. I don't personally think that the 357 Maximum is enough gun for Elk. I don't think it has the power to cleanly kill an animal the size of an elk. The hottest load you can shoot (within SAAMI specs) is a Hornady 180 grain spire soft point (rifle bullet) and a full charge (Maximum charge) of AA1680. It is only marginally better than 1900 FPS as it leaves the muzzle. It is like using a 30-30 and 170 grain bullet on a moose. It is just not enough power to do the job right. I don't know if 357 Herrett loads are still available but they used to sell them commercially. Check the Thompson Center website under ammo or ammunition.