OT - 357 Bullet Choices

[deerwhacker444]

I need some advice. I want to make up some loads to carry in my Taurus 357 pistol for up close deer stand hunting, 30 yards max. These are the three bullets I have on my loading bench right now.

Hornady 158gr FP XTP

Nosler 158gr Sporting Handgun JHP

Hornady 180gr JHP XTP

What would your choice be between the 3 for up close deer whacking. I've shot the 180's out of my Marlin, but I'm not sure how the bullet would perform at pistol velocities. I'm not sure if I'd get enough penetration with the JHP Nosler, and I've never shot any game with the Flat Point either.

Any thoughts or experiences with the above bullets?

[TedH]

I wouldn't be afraid to use the Hornady 158 hollow point, since your shooting them out of a handgun.

[Hobie]

I wouldn't be afraid to use the Hornady 158 hollow point, since your shooting them out of a handgun.

Dittos but the 180 gr. XTP is a good bullet with a broad velocity range.

[Blaine]

Personally, I like the thump of a 180 hardcast....Cheaper, too. Get a box of Federal 180gr hardcast if you want to try before commiting to them....

[O.S.O.K.]

180 XTP

[Old Ironsights]

180 SJHP

XTP or Fed "Vital Shock"

Those are my favorite .357 HANDGUN cartridges.

The Buffalo Bore (or Eq) 180gr WFNGC hard cast is pretty "robust" out of a handgun. Doable, but not pleasant.

[rjohns94]

180grain

[Cracker]

I would throw my hat in for the 180's too. More mass will do more damage, my preference is for cast WFP boolits though.

[BigSky56]

dw444
You should try some hardcast 180's there are 2 outfits that sell them I get 1300 fps out of a gp100 with a 3" bl.
Double Tap ammo http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php
Buffalo Bore ammo http://www.buffalobore.com/
double tap is reasonable 32.95 for 50, 1300 fps out of a 4"
buffalo bore wants 25.40 for 20, 1300 fps out of a 3"
And then of course you can load your own, Lil"Gun powder will get it moving fast from a short bl. danny

[AndyM]

At 30 yards max - I would be going with 180gr XTP. I think the 158's would probably open up alittle more, but I like to place my bets on penetration - a lead hard-cast would be close in the running also.