Anyone use 125 XTP in .357mag for deer?This is a discussion on Anyone use 125 XTP in .357mag for deer? within the Reloading forums, part of the Firearm Forum category; I primarily hunt with a SRH in .44 Mag and have taken several deer with it using heavy loads of H110 under 240gr XTP's.
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August 26th, 2012, 05:08 PM
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#1 |
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 64
| Anyone use 125 XTP in .357mag for deer?
I primarily hunt with a SRH in .44 Mag and have taken several deer with it using heavy loads of H110 under 240gr XTP's.
Earlier this year I picked up a NM Blackhawk in .357 Mag. I have not owned a .357 Mag for many years, but I have a zillion empty cases so I want to load up some ammo for it. Back when I did own a .357 Mag (6" S&W 686), all I loaded was 158gr XTP's. Never got a chance to pull the trigger on a deer with that load.
My local dealer only had some 125gr XTP's, so I thought I would give them a try. I then compared the data on Hornady's site. At 50 yards the 125gr XTP reads 1314mv/479fpe, while the 158gr XTP reads 1150mv/464fpe.
50 yards is my personal max limit with the .357 Mag, so I would not think 15fpe would make that big of a difference. I know 158gr bullets are pretty much the norm for a deer load, but I was wondering if anyone has used the 125gr bullets?
I also picked up a Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag, so when carrying a rifle instead of my SRH, I will more than likely be carrying the SBH. But on the off chance I connect with either the SRH or SBH, I might want to try out the BH just because I've never taken a deer with a .357 Mag.
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August 27th, 2012, 05:37 AM
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#2 |
Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: VT
Posts: 196
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125gr would NOT be my choice in a .357 'Deer Load'...
That said, there are two very different 125gr XTP bullets, HP and FP...
Hornady lists the HP as expanding at 800fps, and the FP as designed for 1200fps...
IF you feel you must use that light a round, I would want the FP over the HP...HP is designed to not over-penetrate in a self defense situation...
If it were me (and it aint), I'd want no less than the 158gr FP which is designed to open at no less than 1150fps, and will hold together and through deer sized chest...
YMMV
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August 27th, 2012, 05:55 AM
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#3 | | Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NH, USA.
Posts: 10,024
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I would load up some 180 gr JHP and work up an accurate load with them if I could (I have). If your local doesn't have them, then I would order them on line.
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August 27th, 2012, 07:58 AM
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#4 |
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 64
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Yeah, I wasn't to keen on using the 125's for deer, just wanted to see if anyone ever did. I'll just wait until I get the 158's to load for the BH.
I'll use the 125's for loads in my S&W 642.
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August 27th, 2012, 10:01 AM
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#5 |
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WA.
Posts: 2,292
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158gr is a way better choice, still a 357mag is not really very good for deer hunting, I have carried a Blackhawk 357 deer hunting but only as a back up when hunting mule deer, after a local hunter in the same area thought his deer was dead then it jumped up and horned him looked to me if he would have had a hand gun on him he could have stopped the deer, may never happen to me but I will be ready  | |
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October 25th, 2012, 10:26 AM
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#6 |
Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 260
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I would check your hunting regs. Here in Colorado the minimum required ft/lbs energy at 50yds is 550 and a 125 Gr won't meet those requirements according to my Hornady or Speer manuals.
Darrell
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October 25th, 2012, 02:40 PM
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#7 |
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,429
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I wouldn't use less than 158gr in handgun or rifle in a .357 for deer.jmho
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October 25th, 2012, 03:03 PM
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#8 |
Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central IL
Posts: 533
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I use 158 gr xtp hollow points and have had great results and some great wound cavities. But i never try and get beyond 30-35 yards, then i just use my slug gun.
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October 28th, 2012, 05:33 PM
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#9 |
Join Date: May 2008 Location: Central Texas
Posts: 540
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The late gunwriter, Robert T. Shimek, used 125 gr. JHPs for taking deer. Can't remember which one but the XTP is tougher than most.
Personally, even here in Texas where our deer are smaller, I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 158 and Hornady makes a soft point XTP in that weight that I would favor.
For Pennsylvania size whitetails I'd go bigger still with the 180 gr. XTP. I'd also use data from the Pistol & Revolver III loading manual that has loads for it that go up over 40,000 CUP since the BlackHawk can handle them.  | |
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October 28th, 2012, 05:51 PM
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#10 |
Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 349
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While out hunting last year in Central PA I had a small group of deer come up behind me. They were too close for me to turn around & sight my rifle w/out making my presence known, but it was late in the season & I had a tag to fill. As such I quietly drew the S&W Model 66 (.357 Magnum, 4" Barrel) I was also carrying & went to work. The Cor-Bon 200 Gr. LFN load dropped a young 4-point at 35+ yards w/ 1 shot like it had been hit w/ a sledge hammer, & a freezer full of venison was thus assured. To make a long story short, I'd have no hesitation at all encouraging hunting PA whitetails w/ a .357, but you might as well carry the heavier loads (180 Gr. or 200 Gr.), just to be sure. Serves double-duty should you stumble upon a wayward black bear, to boot.
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