Best 357 Magnum Hunting Ammo 2024

The American Eagle 158gr SP performed well in Paul Harrell's* game animal meat target. My hand can verify it's not meant to be shot out of a Ruger SP101 3.2" barrel.
*Paul will always be with us in spirit.

I think any of those loads would work great Great video

Healing mojo & positive thoughts for your wife.

Thanks for the video
Edit very fun video

Great to see a new video, the bullet pops was a fun little add in. Prayers to you and your wife and family.

I tried some Buffalo bore 140 barnes in my new ruger 1894 and it was screaming fast. Unfortunately 100 yard groups were measured in feet, not inches. Ouch.

Several projectiles I'd consider in various weight:
Swift A-frame, Hornady XTP, Speer Deep Curl.
Grizzly makes a 180 and 200 gr hardcast that would penetrate silly distances, but it wouldn't have quite the same shock energy transfer.

Lead lollipops!😁

Very helpful video! I'm hoping to get a deer this year with the Rossi 16", and I planned on using the American Eagle. I know it says "target" on the box... but I also know what a 158 grain soft point does at those speeds, so I thought it should be worth a try. Glad to see it perform so well in your tests!

I've always liked the Federal American Eagle 158gr Soft Point for woods Bumming, and hunting.

Prayers for all the family. Be safe Brother!

Another awesome video sir, thank you for the wisdom and time. Wisdom and time are our most valuable commodities. Thank u for sharing yours sir🫡🇺🇸💪

Good video, great information, and the bullets on the sticks is a great way to show them.

So, the homogeneous copper bullets pretty much acted like FMJ’s.

if you can find some, try some speer deep curl 158's. Curious how they do as the ones I shoot in 44 mag are great.

Still praying for y’all

I think we are going to require further testing of that American Eagle 158 grain JSP. They might list it as "target ammo" because most people shoot .357 Mag out of handguns, but that performance out of the carbine was very impressive. Great video, as always. 🙏

Fantastic video I don’t understand people that spout off something other than the 350 I’ve got this 308. I’ve got a 44 you’re talking about 357 stick with the point again great video

The federal load is called a "target" load because some knucklehead will climb all over Federal because there was only a little deformation out of his 2" revolver on milk jugs. If you avoid Texas heart shots, regardless of bullet, it will work just fine on deer. Just be realistic about the distances for which a 357 carbine is useful.

Another fun one, George! Thanks.

That American eagle held up through gel, but I don’t think it would hold together that well if it hit a rib—would destroy the rib but might explode there.
Good presentation

Since 1962 I’ve used the .357 ctg and to this day still do !
I’ve hunted deer for a long time using that ctg and the ctg has done well !
I use bullet weights from 158 grain to the 180 grain !
Mostly the Keith design in 170 grain for hunting and like the results !
I have not used the Nosler 158 gr HP to hunt with just yet!!
Remington 158 grain is one very tough bullet and I’ve used them for years !
The Nosler makes tough hunting bullets so once I get out there to hunt I put a lot of faith in their bullets !!

Great analysis, George. I couldn't have summed it up any better. :)

Nice...just bought those barnes 180 grain sjhp. Wish you woulda tried them in a hand gun

My children and I have killed a couple dozen deer with the 357 Mag. The Hornady XTP bullet in 125, 158, and 180 is a great performer. We have also taken deer with the Barnes 110gr XPB, the Remington 125 jhp. Last year we started using the Hornady 140 FTX and have only taken 2 deer with it so far. For the short range eastern woods hunting we do it has proven to be the perfect fit for us. The kids practice with 38 special and hunt with 357.

Great, very analytical video.

Fun video! Always enjoy them.

Great video George! Good to see you back On Target! 😊
I especially like the bullet on a stick example, truly unique! Welcome back and my prayers are still with you and Janet.

Why .357 Magnun? Cause they are cool!! Because they are still relevant to todays rifleman and hunters.
I think this is one of your best videos. I really liked how you presented and used the balistic gel. The top view side by side comparison coupled with the use of the moving measurements really showed how they each perform. Then you topped it off with the bullets on a stick. That wrapped up the entire sequence and comparison/test. The end was even great. You knew you had already stated the info and instead of ending with more of the same you added what viewers might be thinking. Perfect Pitch for the .357 or any round.
You found a way to reinvent yourself, I love it!!

Good video! The American eagle look to have one of the larger wound cavity and had a good expansion. What ammo did you use on those hogs? Can you do a review on a Henry side loading big boy?

Those Hammerdown bullets say they are “molecularly bonded” according to the box. But others have demonstrated as you have that they seem prone to separating. Which is a shame, they seemed perfect to me, and they were hard to come by for the longest time so I stocked up when I was able to find some. But I think I’ll use my Barnes 180s for hunting instead. Really appreciate your content. So thank you, sir!

Damn those melons disintegrated! Cool!

The 357 is an incredibly versatile cartridge. With proper velocity, bullet construction, and bullet weight, it can do most things required of a firearm. Thanks for the video

i couldnt quite get what brand peep site you said was on the top eject..im getting older too but still love my 3o-30 and my rossi 357 i bought in 1996..the woods great walnut and that things built like a tank..plus it lets me carry my revolver in 357 as a back up when in swamps and deep woods.

I like the Buffalo Bore. I know some aren't a fan of bullets that shed petals but i like that kind of bullet.
Do you by any chance have a video showing you putting that peep sight on that rifle?
I just want to know if its something that i could do or is it pretty involved?

Jerry Miculek reloading. Not too shabby.

Question for you about the Marlin rifle. Did you have any trouble stuffing the cartridges into the tube? I got a new 1894 Marlin and it's all I can do to get more than a couple into it. Also the tip of the bullet seems to want to head down into the gate as opposed to forward into the tube. You too ?

What distance were you shooting from? Curious how the Barnes XPBs would do at longer range once they've slowed down a bit.

Do you know anything about Gforce Arms?
They make a lever action and from what ive read they are made in Turkey. I am just wondering about the quality. I've been considering a Rossi in 45-70 but i think you have had some issues with Rossi and a lot of people have. Do you think rifle made in turkey are a better quality than those made in Brazil, or would they both be about the same?
Oh, and also do you know anything about the Heritage brand of leverguns?
I really want a 45-70 but I'm looking at the "budget" rifles.

Great video! I’ve been wrestling with the idea of grabbing my 357 and leaving the 3030 at home when I get in the stand for several years now. I’ve always thought it would do the job here on NC whitetail but after seeing some of this ammo performance, i believe I’ll give it a go! I just so happen to have plenty of the federal 158 sjsp and hammer down on hand. I’ll let you know in about a month or so if im able to do some real world testing

What was the distance you shot the gel?

I'm disappointed you didn't test the Winchester Supreme 180 grain hollow point ammo.

What are the best loads if a revolver is used?

really enjoyed this video, thanks for that !

great video thanks

Here in Canada I can’t get these high velocity choices of ammo.
All the 357 ammo is pistol ammo that peaks out at 1400 fps or less.

I think now that you have a ton of 158Gr American Eagle I would test that. Federal might call it a target load but a lot of people hunt with 158Gr JSP I have carried them while hunting and I have carried 158Gr Speer Gold Dot as well but haven't needed it yet

I have the Miroku Winchester 1892 saddle ring version also 357 mag. Japanese Winchesters are very nicely built. I also have a "Remlin" 1894 in 357 that has worked out amazingly well after breaking it in. However a Ruger-Marlin is definitely on my wish list. I'm always amazed with the performance of the 357 magnum in a carbine. I don't know if many people are aware of the almost ridiculous performance increase you get 357 revolver vs carbine!
Thanks for your presentations. Always intelligent and informative. You're a good representative for the shooting sports community 👍

Fantastic video, and much needed. Thank you
At what distance were you shooting these loads on the gel test, please?
Also curious as to the range on the hogs you shot?
I've been deleting subscriptions lately, but added one today...

That Marlin is sweet!