Warning

 

Close

Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Confirm Cancel
BCM
User Panel

Site Notices
Posted: 10/31/2014 11:23:05 AM EDT
I am a Texas hunter in reality 100 Yards is about the longest shot that is available between trees and brush.
I have a couple AR's and a .357 lever action. What do people think about the 357 as a hog gun?
Link Posted: 10/31/2014 11:59:46 AM EDT
[#1]
We use a lever action Marlin .357 with handloads, it is not a big hog killer but within 100 yards if you can make a head shot you are good to go, bullet selection is critical, we are using Barnes 140 grain XPB.

A .44 Mag lever action is a much better choice for larger hogs using large bullets.


Link Posted: 10/31/2014 7:14:43 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm on the fence here the .357 is a bit light to 100 but if you cut back to 50 I think it will work. I have killed them with a .22 magnum, but You really need to pick head shots.
Link Posted: 10/31/2014 8:22:11 PM EDT
[#3]
My one hog was with a 44mag pistol so I have no direct experience hunting with a 357 .

I do own a 357 rifle and believe some pretty good velocity could be had . I am thinking a heavy bullet would help with penetration .

Lymans cast bullet handbook shows 1700 fps with a 170gr  and over 1600 with a 180gr . This would be with a 20inch rifle .

Not exactly a lighting bolt compared to other rifles but With the OPs limit of 100yds I would expect very reasonable results
Link Posted: 11/1/2014 11:37:25 AM EDT
[#4]
I have not had an open shot at 100 yards I sight in at 75.  I want to load or buy some heavy hot rounds for hunting. I take all the info here with a grain of salt.  About half the hunters say .223 is not enough to kill a hog there is a guy on here with a SBR who harvest them by the trainload with a 10" 223.  I love my lever gun and it is light and easy to point walking and shooting it seems like a good rifle. If I am standing and waiting a bigger rifle and a better scope will be my 1st choice.  If anyone has a good suggestion on .357 ammo I am super interested. Thank you all.
Link Posted: 11/1/2014 11:59:16 PM EDT
[#5]
If you don't reload then I would look for some Buffalo Bore or Double Tap in something in the 170 to 180gr range.  The buffalo Bore page shows 1850fps for the 180 and 1860fps for the 170gr bullets.  They would carry more energy at longer range and penetrate deeper than the 158gr loads.  

If you do reload I would still go with either a 170 or 180gr bullet over a max charge of 2400, H110/W296, Lil Gun, or H4227 or IMR 4227.  Use a cast bullet with a wide meplate.
Link Posted: 11/19/2014 10:13:00 PM EDT
[#6]
Heavy hard cast lead should do the trick on hogs.
Link Posted: 11/20/2014 9:51:49 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
I am a Texas hunter in reality 100 Yards is about the longest shot that is available between trees and brush.
I have a couple AR's and a .357 lever action. What do people think about the 357 as a hog gun?
View Quote



I'd take the ar over a lever 357 any day of the week
Link Posted: 11/21/2014 4:19:32 AM EDT
[#8]
Given your options, At less than 50 yds I'd go with the .357. At shorter range you'll have more room for error with that caliber and heavier bullet weight a head/neck or a shoulder/heart/lungs shot should work.  At over 50, I'd go with the .223. Bullet choice is gonna be critical.  For .223 I'd suggest 70 grain Barnes TSX if u have a 1:8 or 1:7 twist barrel.  1:9 or higher probably won't stabilize a 70 grain bullet. Head or neck shots only with a .223  just my .02
</a>" />
Link Posted: 11/21/2014 9:59:57 AM EDT
[#9]
most of where I hunt is lots of trees anything over 50 Yds is hard to see. Also will have to do a lot of walking my lever action is light and plenty powerful up close.
I have the TAP rounds but I have not had a chance to use them.
I am still working up a .357 round to hunt with. I have a bunch of 158 hard cast bullets.  I might try to find a larger bullet mold.
Link Posted: 11/21/2014 11:30:48 AM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Given your options, At less than 50 yds I'd go with the .357. At shorter range you'll have more room for error with that caliber and heavier bullet weight a head/neck or a shoulder/heart/lungs shot should work.  At over 50, I'd go with the .223. Bullet choice is gonna be critical.  For .223 I'd suggest 70 grain Barnes TSX if u have a 1:8 or 1:7 twist barrel.  1:9 or higher probably won't stabilize a 70 grain bullet. Head or neck shots only with a .223  just my .02
http://<a href=http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b535/blakemeadors/Mobile%20Uploads/93DF5704-CC21-43D1-AFDA-FE36445AA043_zpszbgujn5f.png</a>" />
View Quote



You are over thinking it in terms of bullet choice.  55g m193 is more than sufficient if you are taking head or neck shots like you suggest.  In fact, that is all Ive used for the past year or so and I haven't had any that ive shot get away from me during that time when using m193.
Link Posted: 11/24/2014 5:30:42 PM EDT
[#11]
Using a Marlin 94 in .357 my two sons have killed well over 50 hogs, never lost any. They have also killed a dozen Mule Deer bucks with that same rifle. Our load is the Federal 180 grain Castcore. I have never recovered a bullet, .35 hole in one side, .35 hole out the other side....air in, blood out. It works. Within 100 yards the .357 out of a rifle with heavy bullets will kill the hell out of deer and hogs.
Link Posted: 11/24/2014 8:57:29 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Using a Marlin 94 in .357 my two sons have killed well over 50 hogs, never lost any. They have also killed a dozen Mule Deer bucks with that same rifle. Our load is the Federal 180 grain Castcore. I have never recovered a bullet, .35 hole in one side, .35 hole out the other side....air in, blood out. It works. Within 100 yards the .357 out of a rifle with heavy bullets will kill the hell out of deer and hogs.
View Quote


Hard cast lead with a flat nose does wonders on critters.
Link Posted: 11/24/2014 10:33:54 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Hard cast lead with a flat nose does wonders on critters.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Using a Marlin 94 in .357 my two sons have killed well over 50 hogs, never lost any. They have also killed a dozen Mule Deer bucks with that same rifle. Our load is the Federal 180 grain Castcore. I have never recovered a bullet, .35 hole in one side, .35 hole out the other side....air in, blood out. It works. Within 100 yards the .357 out of a rifle with heavy bullets will kill the hell out of deer and hogs.


Hard cast lead with a flat nose does wonders on critters.


I agree with cast bullets for this use!
With smaller caliber higher velocity rifles a expanding bullet is the key to getting great killing power but even still matching the bullet velocity , bullet construction and animal type can sometimes be a hit or miss situation.

With a larger caliber (over .30 ) and more modest velocity I think the heavy lead bullets with some sort of flat nose work as well as anything .
If you think about it a normal 357 pistol hollow point could be driven quite a bit faster than what it is designed for when shot out of a carbine or rifle barrel and I am not real confident that it wouldn't start coming apart on a tough hog.

If you look at it quickly it seems counter intuitive that a old time cast bullet is across the board a better choice than a "modern" jacketed expanding bullet but I believe in this case cast is the best way to go .

As always it is most important to know the animal you are hunting ( hogs are built different than deer) and work to get your hits in the right place
Link Posted: 11/26/2014 5:48:39 AM EDT
[#14]
Hell, people used to hunt them with sharp sticks. Some still do. That 357 will do fine.Just do it.
Link Posted: 12/9/2014 12:17:00 PM EDT
[#15]
Use the right bullet for what ever you hunt. With that said for 357 use 173grain-200grain keith style or wide flatnose hard cast lead bullets, I use these in my 4 5/8in blackhawks but in a rifle, a 357mag has same ballistics as a 30-30 except its larger diameter 35 caliber.  I have loaded the old Skeeter/Keith load of 173gr hardcast in 38special, one of the most powerfull 38"s you will see, has been used to penetrate 24inches plus of black bear. As long as the lead hardness is between 15-22 your good.
Close Join Our Mail List to Stay Up To Date! Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.


By signing up you agree to our User Agreement. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win.
Top Top