Which cast bullet for deer in .357 mag

[doulos]

For those who have taken deer with a .357 mag handgun, what bullet were you using? How was the performance. I’ve killed many with 44 mag revolvers and contenders with an assortment of bullets. Have also killed a few with a Contender .357 maximum with 180 gr jacketed. That was very hard on any deer it hit. But velocity with that cartridge is way up there compared to regular .357. Im thinking of something like a 158-180 grain hardcast. What are you 357 users shooting?

[Bigbore5]

I use two different ones because my two mai hunting revolvers prefer different bullets. The MP 358429 with small hp pin and the MP 359-640 with small hp pin. Alloy for both is 96/2/2 pc and air-cooled. Load for both is 15gr H-110, CCI 400 primer in brass trimmed to 1.250".

[Jeff Michel]

180 grain WFN, NOE makes a good one.

[versa-06]

You either have velocity or bullet weight, I'd choose the 180 grain boolit. -06

[buckdeer]

Plus 1 for the noe 180 all I use inmy m77/357 rifle

[jonp]

I have taken 2 with a Ruger revolver in 357 Mag. I used a Core Lokt on one and it only took one shot. I used a Lee 358-158 RF on another and it worked great. I can't remember the load off hand but the deer was around the 150lb mark. With a handgun it seems to me that knowing the proper distance the load will work and you are accurate in is the most important thing. Stay within the range for the caliber and rifle is not the same as handgun.

I really like the Lee RF bullets.

[Larry Gibson]

In the 357 Magnum I've found the Lyman 358156 cast of 16-1 alloy and HP'd with the Forster 1/8" HP tool loaded over 14.5 gr of 2400 or 15 gr of H110 is as effective on deer as any other bullet. Mine weigh 162 gr fully dressed when GC'd with Hornady GCs and lubed with 1 50/50 lube or 2500+. They run 1350 - 1400 fps out of my 6" Ruger and 1600 - 1700 out of my 10" Contender. Expansion and penetration are excellent. Again, very deadly on deer.

[veeman]

The 1st deer I took with a 357 mag, in 1992 was with an aluminum cased Blazer hollow point jacketed bullet. Hit the deer at about 10 yards, she ran off and stopped behind a brush pile, later stepped off to 65 yards, to which I shot 8 more times to clear a hole in the brush big enough to get the killing shot in her. Ruger Blackhawk 6.5" was the gun which didn't last long in my possession. The rest were with Blackhawks in 45Colt with 300g Sierra JFN. Haven't tried any with cast yet as I haven't hunted for a decade or so, but will be this year, likely with my OM 41, or OM 45.

[19112TAP]

I've taken a couple with handgun's using 358156 GC and the 359-640 with the penta HP and both worked fine out of 6 in. bl. but mt Ruger 77/357 does a great job with the 359-640 and the Ranchdog TLC359-175-RF. I've used powders ranging from 296, AA#9, 2400, & IMR 4227 successfully.

[olyeller]

I have to agree with Larry Gibson. I have taken a couple of deer and hogs with the Lyman 358156 SWC over 15.7gr of H110. I don't have a hollow pointing tool, just shoot the boolit as is.
I screwed up one morning tho and shot a spike with a 38SPL load using the 358156 that was in the Henry from plinking the day before. I instantly knew it from the report of course, so figured I was going to loose the deer. He did make it about 150 yards and was nice enough to fall over in the open so I could find him. Behind the shoulder hit just getting a rib going in and another going out.
When I use the 358156 I try to break the shoulder down to anchor the deer, but have found the SWC does a pretty good job without destroying a bunch of meat.

[quilbilly]

180 grain WFN, NOE makes a good one.

Ditto. I use it in my T/C carbine 357 max and my Ruger Mod 77/357. It shoots extremely well in both and since my mold is plain base, my mv is about 1350 fps. It also works well on average size bear up to 300# when they raid my fruit trees. My lube is Lee Alex until I run out someday. I have not had any leading issues at MV 1350. Of course any SWC over 150 gr and at a terminal velocity of 900 fps will do just fine on any deer that I have ever seen.

[PositiveCaster]

For those who have taken deer with a .357 mag handgun, what bullet were you using?...

Never ceases to amaze me.....



.

[gwpercle]

357 Magnum ... Lyman 358156 , 155 gr. SWC - GC is as good as any and better than most ... this boolit is also Larry Gibson (post #7) and olyeller (post #10) approved ... they should know !
I like them cast of COWW and soft lead 50-50 , air cooled , with solid point , gas checked and lubed with Lithi-Bee or 50-50 lubricant .
My pet Hunting load is 14.0 grs. 2400 in a Ruger Blackhawk with 6 1/2 " bbl.
This is a accurate load ... Very good on Louisiana Hogs ... Try it !
Gary

[honus]

I have to agree with Larry Gibson. I have taken a couple of deer and hogs with the Lyman 358156 SWC over 15.7gr of H110. I don't have a hollow pointing tool, just shoot the boolit as is.
I screwed up one morning tho and shot a spike with a 38SPL load using the 358156 that was in the Henry from plinking the day before. I instantly knew it from the report of course, so figured I was going to loose the deer. He did make it about 150 yards and was nice enough to fall over in the open so I could find him. Behind the shoulder hit just getting a rib going in and another going out.
When I use the 358156 I try to break the shoulder down to anchor the deer, but have found the SWC does a pretty good job without destroying a bunch of meat.

That bullet works well with a high shoulder hit. I give them time to bleed out and don't rush them.

[Echo#154]

It’s been my experience that a WFN is the way to go…but I shoot 44/45 pistols. I have a Noe RD 365 HP/SP, it’s hard hitting and versatile. More important it’s accurate in 629. Shot placement is as important as bullet weight. I would try to see if one of the commercial casters can cast one in the bullet you’re interested in, Montana Bullet Works comes to mind I’ve done some orders from them. The bullets are extremely well packaged and quality is extremely good!

[doulos]

Thanks to all. I was really more interested in .357 handgun results. 357 in a rifle is a whole different animal. It is close to having velocities the .357 maximum gets from a Contender pistol.
I think I will look at that 180 grain Noe or Lyman 358156. Probably just use in in tree stands and short range. Thankyou

[Beerd]

doulos,
what handgun are you shooting?
Not all revolvers are created equal, but you knew that.
..

[doulos]

Ruger gp 100 6 inch

[ACC]

For those who have taken deer with a .357 mag handgun, what bullet were you using? How was the performance. I’ve killed many with 44 mag revolvers and contenders with an assortment of bullets. Have also killed a few with a Contender .357 maximum with 180 gr jacketed. That was very hard on any deer it hit. But velocity with that cartridge is way up there compared to regular .357. Im thinking of something like a 158-180 grain hardcast. What are you 357 users shooting?

I use the LEE 158 grain FN bullet. Works great on feral hogs as well as deer. A stout load of H110/W296 is called for this load.

ACC

[alfadan]

Never ceases to amaze me.....



.

No kidding!

" I've shot two with a 7mm Mauser, worked great!"