Good Wilderness Cartridge for .357 Ruger New Model Blackhawk Query

[JonInWA]

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]

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.ph...t_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]

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]

Look into Garrett as well...Hard Cast will be your friend where penetration is needed.

[Dagga Boy]

Take a look at Hornady's XTP loads.

[JHC]

The only instant drop of a bear is CNS shot and there are 357 loads to handle that.

[JonInWA]

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]

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

[GJM]

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]

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.