Want input from experienced .357 handgun hunters

[azmark]

If you hunt with a .357 I'd like some advice on loads you use, what you hunt, and how. We have Coues Whitetails and Mule Deer here in AZ but I would love to find some hogs; I hear there is a bit of a hog problem in New Mexico. I own a 6" GP 100. Can I practice regularly with it using hunting loads?

[Old Ironsights]

If you hunt with a .357 I'd like some advice on loads you use, what you hunt, and how. We have Coues Whitetails and Mule Deer here in AZ but I would love to find some hogs; I hear there is a bit of a hog problem in New Mexico. I own a 6" GP 100. Can I practice regularly with it using hunting loads?

With a GP100?

Absolutely.

I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I'd go with the 180gr Buffalo Bore WFN Hard Cast or equivalent. It should hit 1400-1500 out of that gun for as long as your wrist can stand it.

[AJMD429]

You'll shoot loose your wrist before you shoot loose a Ruger GP100.

[RIHMFIRE]

why not!...
I generally will mix a few hot loads in the cylinder with plinking loads
spin the cylinder and see if i flinch....my 686 has a really great trigger too
but most of the time i shoot mild loads..and practice with hot loads
just before hunting time.......

hogs...I shoot them right behind and below the ear

[nemhed]

I'm a big fan of the Hornady 180 gr. XTP JHP, and I use 2400 powder pretty much exclusively in the 357.

[TedH]

With a GP100? Absolutely.

I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I'd go with the 180gr Buffalo Bore WFN Hard Cast or equivalent. It should hit 1400-1500 out of that gun for as long as your wrist can stand it.

Yep

[J Miller]

You don't kneed a uber heavy bullet in a .357 Mag. I took my javalina with a 173gr Keith SWC. Today I'd use a proper charge of 2400, back then I think it was Win 630.
Too far ago to remember.

Joe

[azmark]

I do have 2400 on hand, but there are quite a bit of recommended charges. I've seen everything from 13 to 15.5 grains. I would like to get the most I can out of the cartridge. I've loaded 13 gr with a 158 gr SWC and it didn't really feel like it was exceptionally powerful. I could buy factory hunting loads but practicing with them would be expensive.

[jcw]

I currently use 2400, H-110, and Unique in the .357. For hunting I am leaning toward the 180 gr. from Beartooth Bullets. Accuracy has been best with less than full loads. I use CCI550 primers with the H-110 and 500's with the rest. I will tell you I am loading closer to the top than the middle. You're going to have to work up a good load on your own for your GP-100. I'm shooting both a 6" S&W Highway Patrolman and a 4" Ruger Security Six. I have different tweaked loads for them but have a couple of loads the work well in both.

[44-40 Willy]

In a 357 rifle, not a pistol, but I've killed several deer and a few hogs with the Winchester 145gr Silvertips. Got a couple with Hornady 158gr XTPs too. A cousin of mine used Remington factory ammo 125gr JSPs and killed a couple of deer a year for over 20 years with her 357.

Deer aren't that hard to kill.

[KWK]

A cousin of mine used Remington factory ammo 125gr JSPs and killed a couple of deer a year for over 20 years with her 357.

Was she also using a rifle? That's the lightest bullet I've seen reported with such success. I've always taken 180 hard cast in my Contender pistol, but I've never gotten close enough to take a shot. Perhaps I should consider the lighter bullets, too.

[El Chivo]

you might try the Barnes bullet, 140 grain, excellent penetrator. Made for handgun velocities.

[L_Kilkenny]

I've tried BlueDot, Unique and 2400 behind different bullets (cast and jacketed) in my 4" Security Six and BlueDot has won the accuracy department by a wide margin. My pet hunting load = 9.5grs BlueDot and 180gr XTP's. 2 moa or less out to 100 yards. Penetration? Texas heart shot a 6 point whitetail at 20 yards and the bullet lodged inside of the front shoulder, nice wound channel. Stupid shot that worked out well. Use the .357 with confidence.

[44-40 Willy]

A cousin of mine used Remington factory ammo 125gr JSPs and killed a couple of deer a year for over 20 years with her 357.

Was she also using a rifle?

Yeah, a Marlin 1894C. I've got that gun now as a project gun for Mrs Willy. I always thought my cousin was going a bit light on the bullets too. She's 4'11" and I doubt she'd go 100lbs soaking wet. But darn that girl can find and bring home the venison. She's using a Rossi 92 in 44-40 these days with just as much success as the 357.

[rangerider7]

If your going to shoot it often, use hearing protection or your will be hearing Christmas bells ringing all year long! RR7

[Mescalero]

Yep

[Paladin]

If your going to shoot it often, use hearing protection or your will be hearing Christmas bells ringing all year long! RR7

+1

I have killed a few deer with the .357 using issued ammo, mostly 125 gr HPs and heavier. For just hunting I preferred 158gr Semi Wad cutter cast a bit hard with 2400 powder.

[Old Ironsights]

I do have 2400 on hand, but there are quite a bit of recommended charges. I've seen everything from 13 to 15.5 grains. I would like to get the most I can out of the cartridge. I've loaded 13 gr with a 158 gr SWC and it didn't really feel like it was exceptionally powerful. I could buy factory hunting loads but practicing with them would be expensive.

2400 is a .357 "go to" powder for 158s, but if you "want to get the most out of" the cartridge, then LilGun under Heavy Bullets is the choice...