East Texas here looking to hunt for the first time with a SA revolver in .357. Will likely use 180 grain HC Keith-style projectiles or Buffalo Bore 180 gr Heavy Outdoorsman. Handgun sighted in at 40 yards. The reason for 40 yards, is because where I hunt with rifles, historically, you're blessed to see beyond 50 yards, with most shots well under 40. I don't scope hunt, as I cannot see out of them well with my progressive lenses.

Anyone here hunt in East Texas with a revolver? Any advice? Thoughts?

First...

I have probably killed more pigs with my Ruger Blackhawk in 357 than anything else I own. (if you don't count using a .22 in the trap). I have carried it as a primary weapon, and many times as a secondary. All shots have been within bow range (40 yards max). I use 158gr Hornady XTP handloaded to 1420 fps out of a 5" barrel with Iron sights. I've never used hard cast lead for hunting before, but I can tell you that the 158 HP does a fantastic job. As far as advice is concerned, just treat it like bow hunting (hunt the wind) and you will be successful. IMO, .357mag kills way better in the field than it does on paper.

I realize every gun is a law unto itself but what powder, etc. do you use with the 158 Hornaday XTP- I'm looking for such a load. Thanks.

Great reply, unclebubba. I may try the 158 XTPs, as they are much cheaper than the BB fodder. I carry a .357 with 158s as my primary carry handgun, but in a snub. I would need to re-sight in the SA revolver if I change ammo types. There is no meaningful drop at 50 yards with the 180s and I doubt the 158s would either, but I would need at least a cylinder to verify POA/POI. I got sold on the heavyweights because of friends who hunt both deer and black bear with them. I figured good enough for black bear, good enough for deer.

300MP is what I use. If I recall, Alliant lists max at 18.6 gr. I settled on 18.3 gr with my old batch of 300mp. Once I went through that, the new batch seemed to be slightly different. 18gr is my new load. Winchester brass, standard primer. Good, solid crimp.


If you already have the 180gr fodder, I am sure that it would do the job. I just have not found it to be necessary, as the 158gr has performed so well for me. No, there is not any meaningful drop out to 50. I have mine sighted at 10 yards.

H110, win296

I have taken a couple of does with a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 colt. A couple of pigs with a .357 Ruger BH.

Welcome to the hand gun hunting world. Just one single action here in 500jrh and have yet to draw blood with it. But mutiple kills with my 10mm's and 44's. The single action forum and cast bollit forums are great info on pistols and loads. Heck i forgot one also have a 44 special and wouldn't be afraid of taking a deer or pig within 40 yards.

How long of barrel do you think you need on a Blackhawk 357 for hunting at 40 yards? The longer the better I’m sure but would a 4.5” be adequate?

Not a SA, but I don’t hunt with a S&W 460XVR. 325 cast semi wad cutter at 2150fps does the trick on everything. I keep it under 150 yards with a rest. Under 50 without a rest.

Ruger makes a 4 5/8, and a 6 1/2. When I said I was hunting with a 5" blackhawk, it's just because I was being too lazy to type 4 5/8, so I rounded. Yes, the longer sight radius would be nice, but a 4 5/8 barreled blackhawk should be fine out to 40 yards.

You are playing a different game than we are.

I’ve used a super Blackhawk with a 7.5” barrel. Needless to say, it was decisive.

I’ve hunted with my .44 Blackhawk with a 5 1/2” barrel. Only pigs so far though.

Nah. I’ve hunted with everything from 22 pistols to 45-70 Contender. I settled on the 460XVR as a hood all around hunting pistol. My varmint load is 200gr moving around 2300

200 gr moving at 2300 fps is major league baseball. We're playing little league with 158 gr at 1400 fps.

I hunt some with a 4 5/8” .357 Blackhawk. I shot two deer with it last year with 158 XTP’s. I like the results and they work fine. I cast and gas check some semi wad cutter style bullets that end up around 166 grains that I actually like on game performance better. I load both with H-110/W-296. Full house .357 loads and H-110 are like peanut butter and jelly. Depending on the brass you are loading, and the projectile, somewhere around 15.3 grains the base of the bullet seats on the top of the powder with no air space and the loads get really consistent. Compressing the powder charge in .357 is a non issue as long as you are using good load data, just give a good roll crimp. At your specified range the 158’s will kill just fine but may not exit. In your situation I would probably stick to jacketed Bullets like the XTP, unless you plan to measure the forcing cones in the cylinder, slug the barrel, and size the bullets yourself. Leading from cast bullets is a possibility in a revolver and can be a PIA if they are not sized to your gun and lubed properly. Jacketed Bullets eliminates that concern.
Good luck hunting with your revolver this year, it is addictive.

I used to do some hunting in CO with a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Mag. Used Rem 210 gr factory loads. Dropped some mulies and 2 cow elk with it.

Lol, well there is that. Never be under gunned.

I spent an entire year calling coyotes and trying to get them close enough for a shot with a Ruger MK1 5 inch 22lr. Finally made it happen, but I was taking a whiz when the yote showed up. He must have been in awe of what hung in front of him, because he let me draw, aim, and shoot without spooking. He was 12 paces away.

How can you be so sure that he wasn't just laughing at your little pea shooter?

He was licking his lips

Um...I don't know how to respond to that.

Got a new Ruger gp100 357 Davidson 5 inch this year and hoping to take a pig or 2 with it. Decided to go with underwoods extreme hunter 120 gr Lehigh ammo . Not sure if the numbers are accurate from Underwood . They show 1700fps and 770 fp of energy . Hoping that will take one down . 25 yards are closer is about all I will try with it.

Ruger Blackhawk in 357 Max with I forget the barrel length but carry it in a shoulder holster I also use for the Contenders. Gives about the same speed to the 357 bullets I get from the 357 Leveraction Marlin.

The 357 Remington maximum is a Awesome hunting round for pistols . If you reload it is a plus . Ammo I am sure is tough to find . The ballistics on it are awesome.

I hunt with several 45 Colt’s, 454’s & 45 Super. Absolutely love it.