.357 hunting loads

[TexasPatriot.308]

I am mainly a big bore hunter, .44 mag, .45 colt with hot loads, recently bought a .357 mag Blackhawk (dont know why) but would love to carry it for hogs as a sidearm. what would be the best bullett for hogs, flat nose, round nose, JHP? when it comes to the big bores I know what to use, just wondering what works best in the .357.

 

[kludge]

I'm a fan of heavy bullets... in the .357 give me something in the 170-190gr range for hunting. If you have a lever gun also, then try lead RNFP with a good meplat. Otherwise a LSWC. In jacketed bullets I'll take a 180gr XTP.

 

[ThomasT]

My buddy who used to be a guide in deep south Tx shot several hogs with a 4" model 65 357 mag using Remington 158gr hollow points and reported they did a very good job and blew very impressive holes in the piggys.

 

[wlewisiii]

Minimum, 158 gr JSP. I like American Eagle for a cheap commercial load.

Best - Lyman #358429 LSWC over 13.5 grains of 2400. AKA, the Keith Load. (That's the MAX, work up to it slowly and carefully starting at around 9 grains.)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would and do load a 180gr WFNGC by Cast Performance for loading up those .357 Magnum rounds for the woods. They have a very wide meplat, are gas checked and they are accurate in my guns.

From my Marlin 1894C using W296/H110 I got 1547 fps.
With the same gun and bullet using Lil'Gun I got over 100 fps more with a velocity of 1657 fps. (not bad at all) Sorry I didn't run that ammo over a Chrono in a revolver.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

x2 on using 180 gr cast bullets if you are talking about killing hogs.

 

[357 Terms]

180 XTP. Great weight retention and penetration. I handload them a bit hotter than Hornady, and still have never had a problem with jacket separation, even outta my Marlin. In my opinion its the best jhp for hunting.

 

[[email protected]]

I seen where Buffalo Bore 180 gr goes about 1300 fps in a 3 inch gun.
Thinking about buying some of those today. For defence you could load
every other one, a 125 gr at 1450 and a 180 gr at 1300. Cover anything.
and this from a 3 inch revolver.