Henry .357 for deer

[Mr_Flintstone]

I have a Henry Big Boy in .357 Magnum, and I know it probably isn’t the optimal rifle for deer, but it’s such a handy rifle I’d like to make use of it. I’m in the mountain region of KY, and the average deer size is less than 150 lbs, and the maximum range will be about 100 yards. What size cast bullet would be best to use in this situation? Would 158 grain pushed to about 1700 FPS be enough, or should I try to really push it faster? Or should I go with a heavier 170 or 180 gr bullet at a lower velocity? Or should I abandon the idea and stick with a .308 that’s probably overkill around here?

[Misery-Whip]

I say go for it. I use mine on blacktail of similar size usually around 75yds with lee 158rf and a near max charge of win296. Pleanty of power

[Gray Fox]

The Ranch Dog/NOE 175 grain RNFP boolit is just about optimal in a .357 mag rifle. GF

[jcren]

A nice flat point of your prefered flavor will be more than sufficient. You are talking near original 30-30 ballistics (160 grain at around 1970) with a wider wound channel.

[Mr_Flintstone]

I didn’t realize that the original 30-30 was that close to modern .357 Magnum. That makes me feel a lot more confident in using the 357.

[725]

Check out an article in the LASC by Glenn Fryxel entitled, "A bullet for all seasons". So many good bullets for the .357 from the 160gr range up to the 220gr. Good reading and references to the 358627.

[bob208]

read the stories of handgun hunting with a .357 handgun. they were shooting to 100 yds. so you should do way better in a rifle.

[dangitgriff]

I’ve seen 180-grain jacketed perform well with 13 grains of AA9. I imagine it would push a cast at that weight admirably with a touch less of the bang-dust.
R/Griff

[cwlongshot]

I have dumped more than a dozen with a 170 GD and LilGun at 1750 FPS. Shot a few with a 140 Speer HP from a 8” Colt with H110. Recent years the 358429 170g Keith bullet and BlueDot drop deer dead inside 75 easily.

I shared your Skepticism. Until I shot a few critters and started bullet testing. No more!! Shooter where your supposed to. Be a hunter nota. Shooter and keep shots like a long range BOW HUNT! You will keep your freezer full!

CW

[boatbum101]

If you go with cast use a gaschecked bullet . Biggest problem with leverguns is coal with heavier bullets & rather or not a SWC will feed . Thats why most use RNFP or LBT style WFN . I do not have a Henry 357 but do have one in 41 mag & use the LBT 240 LFN in it . Of course there's many jacketed that'll work like the 180 XTP or 170 GD . The Rem 180 SJHP is also a good bullet if you can find them . I'm shooting a T/C Encore with a MGM barrel & am not restricted by coal & have long enough throat I can shoot 200gr bullets . I use the LBT 180 WFN which I can push to 1800fps . Like where you hunt most shots are less than 100yds in heavy cover . The heavier cast allows the ability to take a raking shot if you jump one . Also works on our big hogs . If I were you I'd try different bullets until you find accuracy & velocity you want . I think it'll make you a good little deer rifle at the ranges you hunt . I'd make load developement as simple as possible , pick a bullet & say 3 or 4 powders & 1 primer . You should be able to find something usable in a day @ the range .

[OverMax]

Small and light weight deer? 75 yrs or less. Why not give it a whirl next season. As far as a cast? 158-160 is just fine so long as its a Gas Checked cast you choose.

[dverna]

If you go with cast use a gaschecked bullet . Biggest problem with leverguns is coal with heavier bullets & rather or not a SWC will feed . Thats why most use RNFP or LBT style WFN . I do not have a Henry 357 but do have one in 41 mag & use the LBT 240 LFN in it . Of course there's many jacketed that'll work like the 180 XTP or 170 GD . The Rem 180 SJHP is also a good bullet if you can find them . I'm shooting a T/C Encore with a MGM barrel & am not restricted by coal & have long enough throat I can shoot 200gr bullets . I use the LBT 180 WFN which I can push to 1800fps . Like where you hunt most shots are less than 100yds in heavy cover . The heavier cast allows the ability to take a raking shot if you jump one . Also works on our big hogs . If I were you I'd try different bullets until you find accuracy & velocity you want . I think it'll make you a good little deer rifle at the ranges you hunt . I'd make load developement as simple as possible , pick a bullet & say 3 or 4 powders & 1 primer . You should be able to find something usable in a day @ the range .

Good post.

[SirNomad]

FortuneCookie45LC did some cool videos on working up a .357 magnum load using Lee's C358-200-RF mold. (I think I remember the mold name correctly). That's with cast rounds.

[cwlongshot]

AGC is NOT a requirement if your using a properly powder coated bullet.

Good point on feeding. Mine do feed fine but I have read many times others do not. Lee’s excellent 158-358 is a WFN and a good looking bullet properly alloyed would expand & preform well! Should feed better too. It’s a slightly domed “FP”

I WISH that those Speer 170 GD & Remmy 180 SJHP’s where still around!!! If you find will only be “used market”. You know someone’s personal stock. Or possibly in the back of a dusty gun store shelf. They haven’t been offered in years.

CW

[Shawlerbrook]

You should have no problem with the 158’s at 1700fps. I shot a couple NYS whitetail with a 4” Ruger GP100 with 158’s . At 30 yards they were both one shot kills.

[BrutalAB]

I started out hunting deer with my big boy 357. Boolit was the lee/rcbs 200 rf cast from stick on wheel weights (no tin) moving at a modest 1300 to 1350 fps. I consider it a 100 yard gun. Any further and you gotta be damn good at guessing the distance cause it drops so fast.
Known distances i can hit steel at 230 yards with it.
Western Kentucky deer if that helps you on size relativity, ive never weighed a deer before.

[T-Bird]

After taking a nice doe this fall with my Marlin .357 and a 180 gr LBT, I was impressed enough that with the performance that I won't hesitate to use it any time I need a close range (<100 yds) compact rifle.

[Mr_Flintstone]

OK, after hearing from everyone, I feel confident that deer can be taken with this rifle; and thanks for all the info. Now I just have to decide on the proper bullet. I think first I’ll try 158 and 170 gr rnfp for speed and accuracy; then maybe 158 and 180 gr XTPs. After doing some more reading, I’m not going to count out 140 gr XTP either; at least not just yet. According to Hodgdon, they can be loaded to around 2000 FPS for about 1250 ft-lbs. I also have three magnum powders on hand right now that I’m going to start experimenting with: W296, IMR-4227, and 2400.

[KCSO]

The Saeco 180 RNFP and H 110 makes a near duplicate of the 38-40 and is an excellent deer load.

[boatbum101]

Mr. Flintstone just remember light & fast will destroy meat . I believe you'll find that a 180 @ 1700 will be less destructive than a 140 @ 2000 .