View Full Version : Good Wilderness Cartridge for .357 Ruger New Model Blackhawk Query
JonInWA
05-09-2015, 07:19 PM
Gents and Ladies-I just stumbled into a nearly mint 1979-vintage stainless steel New Model Blackhawk with a 4 5/8 barrel; I believe the gun was literally fired a cylinderful, and then carried somewhat, but never fired again.
I've cleaned and lubed it, and test-fired and zeroed; it's my intention to settle if practicable on 158 gr bullets in full-house .357 magnum cartridges for practice/fun and wilderness carry. Likely critters needing potential defense from would be 2-legged, cougar and black bear-Suggestions appreciated, as before!
Best, Jon
BehindBlueI's
05-09-2015, 07:47 PM
I'm not sure how fun it would be, but I can't imagine a bear or cougar shrugging it off:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100
Do you reload by any chance? 9.7gr of Accurate #7 under a 158gr hard cast SWC is enough to give that magnum "thump" without being too much to put a few hundred through it on a range outing, burns clean, and is plenty accurate.
Lost River
05-09-2015, 08:26 PM
I have no doubt you can kill a bear with a .357, but relying on one to instantly stop a bear is another matter. In a revolver, the minimum I would consider for bears is a .44, shooting heavy for caliber slugs.
Cougars and meth heads, I would be fine with the a .357.
John Ralston
05-09-2015, 08:32 PM
Look into Garrett as well...Hard Cast will be your friend where penetration is needed.
Dagga Boy
05-09-2015, 08:32 PM
Take a look at Hornady's XTP loads.
The only instant drop of a bear is CNS shot and there are 357 loads to handle that.
JonInWA
05-09-2015, 09:11 PM
Take a look at Hornady's XTP loads.
Yep-I paid attention to your recommendations in the previous .45 ACP wilderness carry thread-I've got some Hornaday 158gr XTP (#90562) @ 1,250 muzzle fps/548 muzzle energy as my initial carry selection...
Best, Jon
JonInWA
05-09-2015, 09:14 PM
Look into Garrett as well...Hard Cast will be your friend where penetration is needed.
I don't see any .357 magnum loadings on Garrett's site-just .44 magnum and 45-70...
Best, Jon
I don't see any .357 magnum loadings on Garrett's site-just .44 magnum and 45-70...
Best, Jon
Unless a very new development, Garrett historically only has .45-70 and .44 magnum loads. If I was looking for a good performing hard cast load, made by a major manufacturer, I would go with the Federal 180 grain cast core load.
Hambo
05-10-2015, 06:53 AM
Yep-I paid attention to your recommendations in the previous .45 ACP wilderness carry thread-I've got some Hornaday 158gr XTP (#90562) @ 1,250 muzzle fps/548 muzzle energy as my initial carry selection...
Best, Jon
I think this is a good overall choice, although I'd load the same bullet over 16gr of H110 which should be a couple hundred fps faster.
Bigghoss
05-12-2015, 02:15 AM
I'm not sure how fun it would be, but I can't imagine a bear or cougar shrugging it off:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100
I'm far from an expert but having researched this same query not too many years ago for my GP100 when I lived in Oregon, this was the same conclusion I came to.
Chuck Haggard
05-12-2015, 07:13 AM
Not 158gr, but these are a good choice for high penetration ammo;
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/handgun.aspx?id=327
The 158gr Gold Dots tend to get pretty deep for a JHP; http://www.le.vistaoutdoor.com/ammunition/speer/handgun/details.aspx?id=53960
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.