Anybody got a good deer hunting load for .357 using either 158 or 180gr Hornady XTPs and either H110 or W296? I will be shooting a Ruger Bisley at 7.5". Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison...Gen 27:3
I'm surprised that no-one has replied to your question. Maybe it's because they (as I) don't consider the .357 handgun to be adequate for deer.
There are folks that use it and do so successfully.....my personal experience isn't so good. I consider the .41 Mag to be a minimum for deer hunting.
If you insist on using it I'd recommend using the 180 Gr XTP with 12.5 grains of 2400 powder. This still only generates 530 ft-lb of energy (compared to 918 for a .41 mag) but used with discretion It'll do the job.
Vdog,
I realize that the .357 isn't the greatest hunting load but our deer here in the coastal region of SC that I hunt are smaller than most. A good buck for our area goes around 150# with the average around 135#. That being said, I realize shot placement is still critical. My cousin took 5 deer last year using a S&W 686 and all expired within 100 yards. Granted, the longest shot he took was just under 50 yards. Preciate the load info.
Will
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Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison...Gen 27:3
I've had excellent accuracy results with the 158gr XTPs with 16.0gr of Win296 - but that's in a 4" barrel.
I've shot 14.0gr with 180gr Speer Jacketed flat nose rounds too - shot pretty good out of the same pistol.
Both ought to hunt pretty decent- as long as you can get a reasonably close shot.
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"Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3)
i use a 180gr XTP over 15gr of lil'gun. this has proven effective for me. it shoots 1" at 25yards from my gp-100 6" bbl with an estimated velocity of 1300fps or so. It will punch thru any deer as long as you keep the shots pretty close (under 50 at least until you use it a couple of times to judge its performance for yourself). go only for good standing double-lung broadside shots only, i wouldnt try breaking the shoulder with a 357. as i said this load has done it for me and if a .35 cal entrance and .50cal exit wounds with a path that goes thru the lungs wont kill a deer then we need to start hunting with bazookas.
the .357 is a fine performer as long as one recognizes that it has limitaions that must be taken into consideration.
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propmahn
save the world, reload your brass
Hey y'all,
Loaded some 180 gr XTPs over 15.2 gr W296 and chrono'd 10 shot avg 1396fps out of my 7.5" Bisley...by my calcs that's close to 780 pcf at the muzzle...not to shabby for a .357mag!
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Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison...Gen 27:3
no it aint bad at all. a properly loaded .357mag will perform well, an improperly loaded cartridge with lead to stories of the .357mag being woefully underpowered. hope it serves you well
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propmahn
save the world, reload your brass
.357 hunting load
