.357 Magnum best bullet for whitetail deer

jedlicka · October 4, 2009, 07:07 PM

I was wondering what the best type of bullet would be to reload for whitetail deer. My shots would be under 50 yards, and I will be using a 4" S&W model 19-3. I am thinking 158, 170, or 180 grain JHP would be the best, but I'm not sure as to which would be preferable, especially with my "short" barrel length. Exact brand and grain size would be appreciated, as well as results if you have them. Thank you!

RamSlammer · October 4, 2009, 08:10 PM

I like Missouri Bullets' 158 grain hard cast SWC's. The hard version is called "357 Action" and is 18 bhn which can take high velocities without much leading. Loaded over a good dose of 2400, they're deadly on deer from my 6" revolvers as well as lever guns.

Gun 4 Fun · October 4, 2009, 10:27 PM

jedlicka- Welcome to the forum.

I always like a good and properly designed hardcast bullet, but on deer, if your hunting is like mine where you have to woory about the deer getting onto private land before you can recover him/her, then I prefer either the Hornady 158, or 180 XTP"s. The expand reliably, and will give plenty of penetration on the deer, and usually drop a deer a bit faster.

freakshow10mm · October 4, 2009, 10:51 PM

I like a nice, heavy LSWC about 14-15 BHN max, with a gas check.

gb_in_ga · October 5, 2009, 01:28 AM

There are more than 1 valid schools of thought regarding .357 Mag handgun hunting bullets. One way to go about it is go go with a premium JHP or JSP bullet. Hornady's heavier XTP designs are well regarded, as well as Nosler's partitions. Or, you can do the "old school" thing, and go with cast bullets. Heavy, hard cast wide flat nosed bullets (like the 180 gr Cast Performance bullet, which is what I use with a stout charge of H110) tend to have very good penetration, but have little or no expansion -- the rely on sharp edges and hydrodynamics instead. Or, you can go with softer cast LSWC bullets (again, in the heavier weights) that may deform if pushed fast enough.

One thing to keep in mind: There are local jurisdictional issues that you may have to contend with. For example, it is illegal to hunt with non-expanding ammo in the state of Georgia (or at least it was that way as of '07, when I moved from there). Be sure that you know what your local regulations are.

Old Grump · October 5, 2009, 01:49 AM

I used a 4" Dan Wesson for a lot of years before I switched to bigger guns. Good bullet for me has always been a 158 gr FP.

sourdough44 · October 5, 2009, 04:12 AM

Put me down for a 180 grn hardcast.

AlaskaMike · October 5, 2009, 09:08 AM

I like heavy hard cast for larger animals like bear, but for soft-skinned things like deer I'd take an expanding bullet. With a 4" barrel I'm not sure how much expansion you'd get with a 180 grain bullet--I think I'd go with a 158. With a 158 grain bullet you should get an honest 1200 fps from a 4" barrel, but still be able to get good penetration.

Mike

kraigwy · October 5, 2009, 09:50 AM

I lile lead, SWCs. When I was in LE (Anchorage PD) I carried a Model 28 Smith. The dept went to 125 grn Winchester ammo, but I bought my own, (after I got caught carrying handloads). I bought Win 158 Grn SWCs. We had a lot of Veh - moose encounters and during my 20 years I had to put down 8 moose. I used my Model 28 with the above rounds and never had to shoot one twice.

Since retiring I have went to Lvmans 358477, which is a 150 gr SWC. for my 357 and 38s. Lvmans 358156 is another good one too, with or without the gas checks.

My Marlin '94 in 38/357 also likes the 358477.

jedlicka · October 5, 2009, 04:28 PM

Thank you all very much for the replies! It seems fairly split between JHP and hard cast, I think I'll go with the Hornady XTP 158 grain JHP. The only thing I'm wondering about is if it hits bone of any kind (ribcage or shoulder), will it penetrate through given the right amount/kind of powder? I have a Speer reloading manual, but not a Hornady. Does anyone know a reputable recipe for that bullet, with starting and max loads? If not I can always get the hornady manual, but for one bullet it's hard to justify.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · October 5, 2009, 04:29 PM

Lyman 358429....

Gun 4 Fun · October 5, 2009, 06:41 PM

Just go to Hodgdons website. They list loads for all kinds of bullets.

http://www.hodgdon.com/

islander · October 6, 2009, 07:42 AM

The Hornady 7th Edition lists several powders for the 158 grain HP-XTP, these are all starting loads with Small Magnum Pistol primers:

AA #9= 9.7GR.
VIHT N-110 = 11.4 gr.
2400 = 10.5 gr.
H 4227 = 11.9 gr.
IMR 4227 =12.4 gr.
WIN 296 = 12.4 gr.
H 110 = 12.7 gr.
VIHT N-120 = 14.2 gr.

Velocity with all the starting loads above are listed in the manual at 1,000 fps in the test barrel (8" Colt Python). The max. loads with these powders lists velocities in the 1,200 fps range. Good hunting!

jedlicka · October 6, 2009, 09:46 PM

That's everything I needed to know and more! Now the only problem will be finding the monster buck to use it on.

castnblast · October 7, 2009, 07:37 PM

I killed my first revolver buck using 158 gr XTP's. I'm taking my 40 out this weekend to see how it does with 11gr. of Hodgdon Longshot pushing a 135gr Nosler HP. Its up around 1386 fps. Should do the trick. I'm holding out for a shot of 30 yds or less. I can keep my shots inside a 6" group at that range. going to try it out on an Axis deer. I like my bullets to open up in the innards. Does much more damage than a bullet that stays whole and punches a hole straight through w/ no expansion.

Colorado Redneck · October 8, 2009, 09:06 PM

http://www.imrpowder.com/

This site has some pretty fast loads for the 158 gr XTP. They do not furnish data such as barrel length and primer, but the information seems to be pretty near what my Hornady manual says.

October 4, 2009, 07:07 PM	#1
jedlicka Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2009 Posts: 4	.357 Magnum best bullet for whitetail deer I was wondering what the best type of bullet would be to reload for whitetail deer. My shots would be under 50 yards, and I will be using a 4" S&W model 19-3. I am thinking 158, 170, or 180 grain JHP would be the best, but I'm not sure as to which would be preferable, especially with my "short" barrel length. Exact brand and grain size would be appreciated, as well as results if you have them. Thank you!

October 4, 2009, 10:27 PM	#3
Gun 4 Fun Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 956	jedlicka- Welcome to the forum. I always like a good and properly designed hardcast bullet, but on deer, if your hunting is like mine where you have to woory about the deer getting onto private land before you can recover him/her, then I prefer either the Hornady 158, or 180 XTP"s. The expand reliably, and will give plenty of penetration on the deer, and usually drop a deer a bit faster. __________________ S&WCA member NRA member NAHC Life member

October 5, 2009, 01:28 AM	#5
gb_in_ga Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 3,092	There are more than 1 valid schools of thought regarding .357 Mag handgun hunting bullets. One way to go about it is go go with a premium JHP or JSP bullet. Hornady's heavier XTP designs are well regarded, as well as Nosler's partitions. Or, you can do the "old school" thing, and go with cast bullets. Heavy, hard cast wide flat nosed bullets (like the 180 gr Cast Performance bullet, which is what I use with a stout charge of H110) tend to have very good penetration, but have little or no expansion -- the rely on sharp edges and hydrodynamics instead. Or, you can go with softer cast LSWC bullets (again, in the heavier weights) that may deform if pushed fast enough. One thing to keep in mind: There are local jurisdictional issues that you may have to contend with. For example, it is illegal to hunt with non-expanding ammo in the state of Georgia (or at least it was that way as of '07, when I moved from there). Be sure that you know what your local regulations are. __________________ COME AND TAKE IT http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm Formerly lived in Ga, but now I'm back in Tx! Aaaand, now I'm off to Fla...

October 5, 2009, 01:49 AM	#6
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I used a 4" Dan Wesson for a lot of years before I switched to bigger guns. Good bullet for me has always been a 158 gr FP. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

October 5, 2009, 04:29 PM	#11
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	Lyman 358429.... __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

October 4, 2009, 08:10 PM	#2
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	I like Missouri Bullets' 158 grain hard cast SWC's. The hard version is called "357 Action" and is 18 bhn which can take high velocities without much leading. Loaded over a good dose of 2400, they're deadly on deer from my 6" revolvers as well as lever guns.

October 4, 2009, 10:51 PM	#4
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	I like a nice, heavy LSWC about 14-15 BHN max, with a gas check.

October 5, 2009, 04:12 AM	#7
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	Put me down for a 180 grn hardcast.

October 5, 2009, 09:08 AM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	I like heavy hard cast for larger animals like bear, but for soft-skinned things like deer I'd take an expanding bullet. With a 4" barrel I'm not sure how much expansion you'd get with a 180 grain bullet--I think I'd go with a 158. With a 158 grain bullet you should get an honest 1200 fps from a 4" barrel, but still be able to get good penetration. Mike

October 5, 2009, 09:50 AM	#9
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I lile lead, SWCs. When I was in LE (Anchorage PD) I carried a Model 28 Smith. The dept went to 125 grn Winchester ammo, but I bought my own, (after I got caught carrying handloads). I bought Win 158 Grn SWCs. We had a lot of Veh - moose encounters and during my 20 years I had to put down 8 moose. I used my Model 28 with the above rounds and never had to shoot one twice. Since retiring I have went to Lvmans 358477, which is a 150 gr SWC. for my 357 and 38s. Lvmans 358156 is another good one too, with or without the gas checks. My Marlin '94 in 38/357 also likes the 358477. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

October 5, 2009, 04:28 PM	#10
jedlicka Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2009 Posts: 4	Thank you all very much for the replies! It seems fairly split between JHP and hard cast, I think I'll go with the Hornady XTP 158 grain JHP. The only thing I'm wondering about is if it hits bone of any kind (ribcage or shoulder), will it penetrate through given the right amount/kind of powder? I have a Speer reloading manual, but not a Hornady. Does anyone know a reputable recipe for that bullet, with starting and max loads? If not I can always get the hornady manual, but for one bullet it's hard to justify.

October 5, 2009, 06:41 PM	#12
Gun 4 Fun Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 956	Just go to Hodgdons website. They list loads for all kinds of bullets. http://www.hodgdon.com/ __________________ S&WCA member NRA member NAHC Life member

October 6, 2009, 07:42 AM	#13
islander Member Join Date: July 30, 2009 Posts: 42	The Hornady 7th Edition lists several powders for the 158 grain HP-XTP, these are all starting loads with Small Magnum Pistol primers: AA #9= 9.7GR. VIHT N-110 = 11.4 gr. 2400 = 10.5 gr. H 4227 = 11.9 gr. IMR 4227 =12.4 gr. WIN 296 = 12.4 gr. H 110 = 12.7 gr. VIHT N-120 = 14.2 gr. Velocity with all the starting loads above are listed in the manual at 1,000 fps in the test barrel (8" Colt Python). The max. loads with these powders lists velocities in the 1,200 fps range. Good hunting!

October 6, 2009, 09:46 PM	#14
jedlicka Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2009 Posts: 4	That's everything I needed to know and more! Now the only problem will be finding the monster buck to use it on.

October 7, 2009, 07:37 PM	#15
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	I killed my first revolver buck using 158 gr XTP's. I'm taking my 40 out this weekend to see how it does with 11gr. of Hodgdon Longshot pushing a 135gr Nosler HP. Its up around 1386 fps. Should do the trick. I'm holding out for a shot of 30 yds or less. I can keep my shots inside a 6" group at that range. going to try it out on an Axis deer. I like my bullets to open up in the innards. Does much more damage than a bullet that stays whole and punches a hole straight through w/ no expansion. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

October 8, 2009, 09:06 PM	#16
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	IMR Powder web page http://www.imrpowder.com/ This site has some pretty fast loads for the 158 gr XTP. They do not furnish data such as barrel length and primer, but the information seems to be pretty near what my Hornady manual says.