What is the best .357 mag factory ammo for deer, hogs, and carjackers(if need be)

[ArchAngelCD]

180 LRNFPGC over 15 gr of Lil'Gun.

That would be my first choice too but if you want to buy factory ammo there is a good one just like that. Grizzly Cartridges makes great hunting ammo, most probably the best hunting ammo IMO. For the reloaders out there the bullets are available from their sister company, Cast Performance.

 

[HelterSkelter]

i would not hunt deer with this calliber, at the least i would use .44 magnum. but if you are shooting hog and car jackers the 158 grain jacketed hollow point will get the job done. the 158 grain load will put down a hog nicely and it will help in a car jacker situation if you need to do any shooting through the car glass/doors. if you are just looking for self defense get the 125 grain jhp.

 

[hardluk1]

deercrazy If you bow hunt keep your ranges with the 357 to what you would do with a bow. Maybe 40 yards and you deside after that depending on how well you shoot.

helterskelter A hog can be a bit tougher to kill than a thin skinned deer. Just stay with in your ability. Use heavier hunting loads not defence loads. A 44 would be nice but a 357 will work too.

 

[Talin342]

I am a fan of Buffalo Bore, they have a great selection of HCGS Lead bullets and HP for .357. They make "indoor safe" HP loads with reduced flash for shooting in low-light or enclosed spaces. You might look into those for car jackers, they make them in .38 +P as well which might be an option as well.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have sent about a half dozen deer to the freezer with a .357 Ruger Blackhawk. I tend to disagree with some of the ammo selections mentioned here. Deer being a pretty light, thin skinned critter, they are easy to shoot clean through...even with a bow...even lengthwise. If you use a 158-180 gr hardcast bullet, you will shoot a small .357 diameter hole clean through the deer, and the rotten log behind the deer, and 20" down into the forest floor. Oh yeah, you got great penetration all right. So what? I'll tell you what. You have a deer that has a pencil sized hole through it that will easily clot over.I think of it as bow hunting with field points. Even a double-lung shot deer can travel a long ways.
My $.02 says to to a good hollowpoint that shoots poa in your gun. I don't care if it is 110gr or 125gr or 158gr. Win Silvertips, XTP's. whatever shoots good. I'm looking for a .357 entry and the golfball exit. Something like that will put deer in the freezer, and be pretty rough on carjackers too I guess.
That Ruger is a fine gun, I hunt with a .45colt Blackhawk.

 

[mr.trooper]

Whitetail are not bullet proof - they can be quite easy to kill if YOU do YOUR part.

Virtually ANY 357 factory ammo will do the job out to 50 yards, and beyond if you can honestly shoot well that far.

I recommend moderate loads; they will let you practice more, and you will be more confident. If you set up your blind or stand properly, there is no reason you should have to take a shot beyond 30 yards - and at those ranges there is no reason any proficient pistolero can't hit the 8" or so circle needed to end the game quickly.

Something in the 450 - 500 foot pound range will serve you well for both your tasks. Honestly, the 700 foot pound nuclear loads are more than you need for people or simple whitetail.

 

[Old Ranger]

Boy, do I agree with kbbailey! I read some of this heavy hard cast bullet stuff and shake my head. Deer aren't all that hard to kill with good shot placement. I've always used 125 grain hollow points (not soft points) and usually Gold Dots; Starfires once - - - factory loads. They whack 'em guys, stay in 'em (except for the neck shot) and never wind up in a log or the forest floor. Come to think of it though, I blew out the front of a doe's chest one time from a tree stand.

 

[hardluk1]

kbbailey is right. Hardcast bullets are ment for game that will do harm to you . They work well at breaking bone and they don't expand at all . Works real well on hogs with a revolver or bear. Stay with a soft lead gas check a sp or quality hp but I am one that likes heavy bullets. If you get a longer shot I don't want to rely on a 110 or 125gr with you can shot at 50 yards.

 

[Old Ranger]

I like those soft lead slugs too. My carry, when I carry, is a .38 snubbie loaded with Remington .38 lswchp + P (they mushroom out big time; don't over penetrate) and have been field proven to be one shot stopping. They work on deer as well.

I would never take an open sight shot over 50 yards. If it's going to be long range I'll opt for the Ruger Bisley Hunter in .44 mag with a scope - - - and 300 grain Hornady bullets. That combination works on about everything - - - even the big stuff with good shot placement. But since .454 is available now; well - - - I'll go that route for the really big stuff.

None of this applies to the original self defense thing with a long barreled .357 though. I never said; but I want something small, light and maneuverable in close quarters as a car gun - - - - - not a long barreled hog leg snagging on seats and banging into parts of the interior. A cheap, little .22 or .25 auto is enough to punch holes in an attacker's face at close range - - - totally ruin his day.