[jose]

Hi everyone.
I think to use my 4" SW 686 like backup for hunting. In my hunting area there are many big wild boars.
What do you think, what is the best .357 Magnum load for this situation? In Bulgaria handloads are illegal.
In this moment are available several loads:

Winchester STHP 147gr,
Federal SJFN 158gr,
Remington SJFN 125gr,
Remington SJHP 180gr,
Federal Premium SJHP 180gr,
Hirtenberger SJFN 158gr,
Lapua Zenith SJFN 158gr,
Sellier&Bellot FMJ 158gr.

I,m sad...I don't have 44Mag.... :-/

 

[erich]

For self-defense against European wild boar out of a .357 with a 4" tube, I'd look at the Hirtenberger and Lapua SJFN 158-grainers. Should give you the best chance for adequate penetration with a possibility of expansion. The Remington 180-gr will be slower, but would be likely to give a decent chance for adequate penetration as well, but European .357 factory loads tend to be hotter than all but the "boutique" (Double Tap, Buffalo Bore) American .357 loads (since SAAMI reduced the pressure numbers in days gone by).

Edited: just my opinion.

 

[Guest]

I've hunted the odd hog or two and I've never felt remotely undergunned with a .357. In fact, I've killed a couple with a 124 grain JHP from a 9mm as well.

Most any of the commercially available 158 grain loads will do just fine. No amount of lead will compensate for poor bullet placement. I honestly dont know of a "bad" 158 grain load in .357 so take your pick. In the end, shot placement will be the deciding factor.

Good hunting and stay away from the sharp end.

GunGeek

 

[Guest]

If you can find this ammo

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=534806

This is one of the best out there.

ZM

 

[Guest]

Rem 165g JHP

Buffalo Bore 158g Gold Dot

 

[jimhigginbotham]

I watched a good friend shoot an average sized (for TN) Russian boar 4 times through the heart. In order to avoid hitting the dogs this took longer than it might sound. In fact he was able to speed load before the boar went down but he did not get the opportunity to fire any more.

This was with a lot of Winchester 158 JHPs that we clocked out of his model 66 at 1300 fps (darn near what most 125s get). It was a hot lot, most of them do around 1200.

The Boar in Europe may be even heavier so, if stuck with a .357 I might be tempted to go with the 180s but we did not really have a penetration problem with the 158s. They all seemed to expand also.

Jim

 

[Guest]

Look at www.doubletapammo.com and see what Mike McNett has to offer. You won't be disappointed!

 

[jose]

Hi, yesterday i buy a box of Federal Premium Hydrashock 158gr, and some Federal 180gr SJHP. Wath do you think, are they good for backup for hunting. Bufalo bore and Doubletap ammo are not available in Bulgaria :-(

 

[Guest]

Most any of the commercially available 158 grain loads will do just fine. No amount of lead will compensate for poor bullet placement. I honestly dont know of a "bad" 158 grain load in .357 so take your pick. In the end, shot placement will be the deciding factor.

Good hunting and stay away from the sharp end.

GunGeek

I'll go along with this. Practice, practice, practice!

Scott

 

[Guest]

You might want to look at Georgia Arms, 158 gr +P, "Deer Slayer".