.357 Mag. Rifle...JHP or JSP?

bowhunter57

bowhunter57

Well-known member
Using my Henry Big Boy in .357 Mag. I can get better ballistics than with a handgun. A 400+ f.p.s. gain is not uncommon. So, a 1500 f.p.s. load could get 1900 f.p.s.

I'm using a 158gr. bullet weight, but my question concerns bullet types.
Should I use a Jacketed Hollow Point or a Jacketed Soft Point bullet?
A Lead Semi Wad Cutter with a gas check is another option.

Coyotes are going to be the intended target of choice.

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57
 
For coyotes , I would think the XTP and cast bullet will give to much penetration and not enough expansion. I would opt for a light to mid weight HP with high velocities. Your not going to get surface splashes with hand gun bullets like you do with varmint type rifle bullets at high velocity.
 
Any of these bullets will do the job. The hollow point could cause excessive damage to fur if you hit a rib or shoulder. JSP or cast lead will probably pass through. If you cast your own bullets, I would go with the gas check. I have not seen a commercial cast bullet with gas checks, so then I would go with a jacketed soft point. This is just my .02 based on my experience. I hope it helps you make an informed decision. Dale
 
I know my Henry is picky on what bullet will feed in it. Using a 357 I cannot get it to feed a SWC and depending on the shape of the HP it will not feed. I called Henry and they said the same thing. I thought I had a problem with the rifle but it must be in the design.
 
Originally Posted By: crapshootFor coyotes , I would think the XTP and cast bullet will give to much penetration and not enough expansion. I would opt for a light to mid weight HP with high velocities. Your not going to get surface splashes with hand gun bullets like you do with varmint type rifle bullets at high velocity.
crapshoot,
I was wondering about the surface splash thing, but pistol bullets are more heavily constructed than rifle bullets. I wouldn't think it would be possible with the higher velocities from a rifle. My Henry shoots 125gr. JHP equally well as it does with 158gr. JHP.

reb8600,
I don't doubt what your saying about the feeding problem your rifle's having, but I've not experienced it. I've shot 158gr. semi-wad cutters, 158gr. JHP (Remington) and Hornady XTP 125gr. JHP with no problems what so ever. Bad news travels fast, as they say, but I'd post a feeding question or two on some lever action forums to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issues.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
Pick out at least 3 bullets to try. Go out and shoot 15 to 20 coyotes with each. Take good notes and tell us the results. Nothing beats good field testing.
 
Originally Posted By: soggydogPick out at least 3 bullets to try. Go out and shoot 15 to 20 coyotes with each. Take good notes and tell us the results. Nothing beats good field testing.
soggydog,
What you said is very true and accurate, but it made me laugh...and remember the quote in the 4th Edition of the Lyman Shot Shell Reloading Manual. On page 68, after all the technical reloading data, it states: "Actual field experience will always override any suggested table".
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Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
Pistol bullets are NOT as heavily constructed as rifle bullets. This is so that they will expand at the lower velocities of pistols.
I think that I would go with whatever shoots well unless fur is in the equation. I think that for varmints and dogs I would look at a lighter bullet, say a 125gr whatever will feed well. IMO they should be plenty of bullet, velocity will be higher, trajectory flatter.
 
Bowhunter57,, Back in the day, when our department was switching to the .357 mag cartridge for our duty weapons, we settled on the Speer Lawman series, 158gr Semi-flat nosed semi-jacketed bullet and I used it to powder concrete blocks during a demonstration at one time...

It's one of those rounds that I have little doubt about it's effectiveness and if you are ever going to be in the St Louis area, let me know and I'll be glad to give you a box...on a FTF basis...When the department backed off the round and returned to the .38 +P+ round, I was given access to the bulk of the remainder of what was on hand...and have several boxes..

Out of a rifle, it should shoot really well as long as you don't have a problem with the feeding..
 
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I spent some more time at the range and my Henry decided that it likes the 158gr. JHP bullets, so that's what I'm going to load up and hunt with for now. I was shooting for a group size ONLY and got a 1 ragged hole, at 25 yards. I came back home, reloaded a whole box and will go back to the range to adjust the sights at 50 yards.
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I can't wait to get my first coyote with this rifle to see how well it performs.
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Thank you, to everyone for their input. I'll be certain to post pics of my first coyote with this rifle.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
57- I know you have some time invested into this and have seen you searching for the right combo in your posts. Good luck and keep me posted. I want to see some dead coyotes around here this year!
 
Originally Posted By: hickslawns I want to see some dead coyotes around here this year!
Phil,
I do too! Can't get enough of them knocked down.
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I'm enjoying testing different loads with this rifle. I may try some 158gr. LSWC with a gas check next. Last evening I sighted this rifle in with Remington 158gr. JHP bullets that produced a one ragged hole at 25 yards, but opened up to a 2" group at 50 yards. I'm reasonably certain that a 1" group is attainable with this rifle...just gotta find the load/bullet combination.
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I'm having fun doing it.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
youngdon,
I'm in Lima, which is in Allen county...N.W. Ohio.

I've not heard of Goodyear, Az., but have been in Prescot, Sedona, Mesa and Flagstaff. A fine state...if you live in the northern portion. Waaaay too hot for me, in Mesa.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
I grew up in Monclova, Lucas Co. Goodyear is west of Phx. about 20 miles. Have a place up north to cool off and Hunt Yotes. Sorry to hi jack the thread probably should have PMed you. Don
 


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