I’m thinking about taking my dads ruger 357 mag (scoped), out hunting a time or two this year (deer). What ammo do you recommend? Looking at 50 yards and under. Thanks!

Hornady XTP either 158 or 180 gr or something hard cast with a wide flat point.

Buffalo Bore hard cast.

buffalo Bore makes some with 158s and 180s that should work. I like the old Nosler 180gr Partitions, too bad they discontinued that bullet. On their website Buffalo bore shows some in stock.

If you reload the xtp's or Sierra hollow points will work and h110 is the go to powder. Once you start the handgun hunting you will be hooked .

I’ve been pistol hunting for about 20 years. Started with a Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC using some Buffalo Bore SWC. Had good luck with them, limited my range to 45 yards or less with the black iron sights. Killed everything from armadillos to deer.

Stepped up my caliber in 2012 to the 460 S&W and extended my range to 200 yards with a rest, I go back and forth between the 275g Barnes XPB or a 325 hard cast LFN (awesome on pigs). The 325 runs about 2150 DPS and is no slouch on the wrist, drops about 11 inches at 200 yards with a 50 yard zero. The 275 is also running about 2100 FPS but that’s due to expansion, it’s great on deer and even better on coyotes, it drops about 9 inches at 200.

I handload for the 357 and kill a ton of pigs from bow stands with it. I like 158 gr Hornady XTP over a close to book max of 300MP. Do you load your own? or are you going factory? If factory, I would suggest going with more of a custom load like Buffalo Bore. IME, most factory loads are lacking on velocity and accuracy.

I love shooting pigs & deer with a 357. The first Dan Wesson 6" barrel I had, all I used was the cheap Blazer 158 grain aluminum cased hollow points. Never had to shoot an animal more than once, but the farthest shot I ever took was about 40 yrds. Belly crawling up on sounder of pigs in 2' tall grass and getting close, and then unleashing hell on them with a 357 mag is a TON of fun. Popped a couple off of one sounder and one of them ran a circle an dropped dead 5' from me lol. She almost got shot again.

That must’ve been in your way younger years. Can your arms touch the ground if your laying on your belly?

On my first Texas hunt, I very carefully shot from the prone position; the chiggers enjoyed my marksmanship greatly. Belly crawling can be interesting when the bugs are out.

Oh you got jokes...

Have a point too, I suppose......lol

Was 205-220 lbs then, 265lbs now. Guess I'd have to do a belly bounce now.

At this point I’m looking at factory loads. Just started searching around and nothing to be found.

I shot 2 deer with a .357 mag pistol. I used Hornady LeverEvolution 140 grain. I was pleased with the performance.

Here you go...

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/908699919

Ouch!!

That’s not bad for 50 rounds. I pay $80-$90 for 20 rounds

Lol. A little beer just came out my nose...

I bought a Coonan earlier this year. I can't wait to come up on a sounder while carrying it.

I must be way out of the loop on .357 then. It was the first round that I started reloading, and I didn't realize they had gone up so much!

I should clarify, that’s for 460 S&W, not 357mag

Slightly off topic... what pistol scope would you guys recommend for low light conditions (Ruger Bisley .44 mag SS). Eyes don't pick up the factory sights like they used to. Thanks much.

Something low power, 1-4 was the best power range for me on a handgun. Anything over 4 was putting me in an awkward shooting position.

I’ve moved to a Burris FF3 red dot.

Thanks Wade!