When I first started big game hunting ,nearly 47 years or more ago, I used a rifle but I SELDOM LEFT HOME WITHOUT A a revolver, ON MY HIP, I used a S&W model 27 in 357 mag, with an 8 3/8 " barrel and full power 158 grain hand loads ,in the revolver and frankly if the target was further than 30 yards out when I first started the rifle got used as I knew my limitations with accuracy, with the revolver, made hits past that 30 yards rather rare!. but I still had a shirt pocket with a few 38 spc 38 wad cutter loads I used for grouse and rabbits, I knew from experience that they hit a bit different from the heavy loads but close enough to allow me to shoot an occasional small game target, when I swapped to a 44 mag I continued the practice with custom tailored hand loads.
Ive often wondered how many guys who hunt with a revolver have developed 2 totally separate loads that they carry like I have for decades,
they don,t get mixed up because the loaded cartridges look totally different and I usually keep the small game load ammo in a separate pocket
I really did not get into seriously hunting with a revolver alone until years later. by then I had been able to markedly improve my accuracy with a revolver.
I had a Ruger single action 44 mag, a S&W 357 mag and a S&W 44 mag, they got used almost interchangeably until I got a good deal more practice with revolvers and found that at least for me, the S&W revolvers seemed more accurate.
with good hand loads targets as small as a beer can out at 70-80 yards were in serious danger, and with a good seated rest , consistent hits past that was still possible most of the time.
now for hunting with my 44 mag Ive mostly loaded the LEE310 grain or LYMAN 300 grain cast gas check bullets, cast from 95% wheel weights and 5% pure tin, sized .430 usually loaded over 20-21 grains of H110 and thats what I sight in the revolver for. this loads fine for deer or elk, commonly exceeding 1300fps in my 10" revolver with a 300 grain bullet
I generally have those in a cartridge belt holder
that loads well proven to be a good dependable and accurate hunting load for larger game.
but I also usually carry a dozen cartridges 220 grain cast bullets loaded over 7 grains of unique powder, as a small game load, this is a very low velocity load, probably near 600fps , or a bit like a 44 spcl ,but its more than effective on small game at reasonably close range and while it does not impact at exactly the same point as the hunting loads its impact point is close enough that at the common 20 yard or less its used at it does the job of knocking the intended targets silly (rabbits ,squirrels grouse turkey etc.)
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... pe=Handgun
http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0152660650
Here are some for you:
Cast bullet companies:
http://montanabulletworks.com/
http://www.castperformance.com
https://beartoothbullets.com
http://www.neihandtools.com/
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/bullmol1.html
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/
http://www.mountainmolds.com/
http://www.justbulletmolds.com/
Ive used both the 357 mag and 44 mag revolvers for deer and hog hunting for decades , either produces a fatal wound if well placed, but if you hit a deer or hog well that doesn,t always insure an instant DRT kill., and distances traveled after a hit with the 44 mag tend to be shorter in my experience
Ive loaded a hard cast 44 caliber 300-310 grain lyman or LEE gas check bullet over 20-21 grains of H110 powder in my 44 mag for decades , (start with 19 grains and work up a 1/2 grain at a time ) it shoots clear thru most hogs and deer exiting and still going strong so be aware you don,t want to shoot a deer with a second deer directly behind the first, and I,d also point out that occasionally even well hit game runs 40-80 yards after bullet impact
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.a ... pe=Handgun
If you've heard hand guns just don,t put deer down and a 357 mag is just not up to the task, I can tell you from DECADES OF experience that yes theres a difference, and the 44 MAG PROPERLY is a bit more effective, but the 357 MAG LOADED WITH A GOOD 158 GRAIN SOFT POINT OR THE BULLET I'VE USED FROM NEI (link below)FOR decades is 100% lethal in the hands of a decent shot and you can get complete pass thru shots with decent hard cast bullets in most hand gun calibers suitable for hunting, yes you make a good point that the 357 mag doesn,t always seem to put a deer down with near the authority that as an example a 44 mag does but its been my experience that results are a good deal more about exact shot placement, than any change in caliber, within certain limits.
Ive used both caliber hand guns for 40 plus years
http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html
a stiff load of blue dot, 2400, OR h110 and this gas check bullet has done the job for decades, but remember shot placements critical with a hand gun, and a 6"-10" BARREL LENGTH ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE BOTH A LONGER SITE RADIAS AND GET THE FULL BENEFIT FROM THE POWDER BURN.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... pe=Handgun
just a comparison here of
commonly used revolver cast bullet hand loads
for hunting,Id point out that operator skill and experience matters a great deal.
even the properly hand loaded 357 mag will prove lethal to deer and hogs and even elk in skilled hands,
but its generally considered marginal on the larger game at ranges over 50 yards
357 mag .357 diam......170 grain projectile at 1400 fps 750 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
41 mag....410 diam.....210 grain projectile at 1400 fps 914 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=41 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
44 mag....430 diam.....310 grain projectile at 1300 fps 1160 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44 Magnum&Weight=300&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
these last five will take a great deal more practice as muzzle blast,and recoil levels are noticeable, the 480 rugers a great compromise between power and recoil
445 DWSM mag....430 diam.....310 grain projectile at 1570fps 1690 ft lbs
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=445 Supermag&Weight=All&type=Handgun
454 cassul....454 diam.....335 grain projectile at 1500 fps 1675 ft lbs
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=454 Casull&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Source
460 S&W......454 diam. 360 grain projectile at 1600 fps 2046 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=460 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
480 ruger.....476 diam......325 grain projectile at 1375 fps 1365 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=480 Ruger&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
500 S&W.....500 diam. 400 grain projectile at 1600 fps 2274 ft lbs
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All
Ive often wondered how many guys who hunt with a revolver have developed 2 totally separate loads that they carry like I have for decades,
they don,t get mixed up because the loaded cartridges look totally different and I usually keep the small game load ammo in a separate pocket
I really did not get into seriously hunting with a revolver alone until years later. by then I had been able to markedly improve my accuracy with a revolver.
I had a Ruger single action 44 mag, a S&W 357 mag and a S&W 44 mag, they got used almost interchangeably until I got a good deal more practice with revolvers and found that at least for me, the S&W revolvers seemed more accurate.
with good hand loads targets as small as a beer can out at 70-80 yards were in serious danger, and with a good seated rest , consistent hits past that was still possible most of the time.
now for hunting with my 44 mag Ive mostly loaded the LEE310 grain or LYMAN 300 grain cast gas check bullets, cast from 95% wheel weights and 5% pure tin, sized .430 usually loaded over 20-21 grains of H110 and thats what I sight in the revolver for. this loads fine for deer or elk, commonly exceeding 1300fps in my 10" revolver with a 300 grain bullet
I generally have those in a cartridge belt holder
that loads well proven to be a good dependable and accurate hunting load for larger game.
but I also usually carry a dozen cartridges 220 grain cast bullets loaded over 7 grains of unique powder, as a small game load, this is a very low velocity load, probably near 600fps , or a bit like a 44 spcl ,but its more than effective on small game at reasonably close range and while it does not impact at exactly the same point as the hunting loads its impact point is close enough that at the common 20 yard or less its used at it does the job of knocking the intended targets silly (rabbits ,squirrels grouse turkey etc.)
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... pe=Handgun
http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0152660650
Here are some for you:
Cast bullet companies:
http://montanabulletworks.com/
http://www.castperformance.com
https://beartoothbullets.com
http://www.neihandtools.com/
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/bullmol1.html
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/
http://www.mountainmolds.com/
http://www.justbulletmolds.com/
Ive used both the 357 mag and 44 mag revolvers for deer and hog hunting for decades , either produces a fatal wound if well placed, but if you hit a deer or hog well that doesn,t always insure an instant DRT kill., and distances traveled after a hit with the 44 mag tend to be shorter in my experience
Ive loaded a hard cast 44 caliber 300-310 grain lyman or LEE gas check bullet over 20-21 grains of H110 powder in my 44 mag for decades , (start with 19 grains and work up a 1/2 grain at a time ) it shoots clear thru most hogs and deer exiting and still going strong so be aware you don,t want to shoot a deer with a second deer directly behind the first, and I,d also point out that occasionally even well hit game runs 40-80 yards after bullet impact
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.a ... pe=Handgun
If you've heard hand guns just don,t put deer down and a 357 mag is just not up to the task, I can tell you from DECADES OF experience that yes theres a difference, and the 44 MAG PROPERLY is a bit more effective, but the 357 MAG LOADED WITH A GOOD 158 GRAIN SOFT POINT OR THE BULLET I'VE USED FROM NEI (link below)FOR decades is 100% lethal in the hands of a decent shot and you can get complete pass thru shots with decent hard cast bullets in most hand gun calibers suitable for hunting, yes you make a good point that the 357 mag doesn,t always seem to put a deer down with near the authority that as an example a 44 mag does but its been my experience that results are a good deal more about exact shot placement, than any change in caliber, within certain limits.
Ive used both caliber hand guns for 40 plus years
http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html
a stiff load of blue dot, 2400, OR h110 and this gas check bullet has done the job for decades, but remember shot placements critical with a hand gun, and a 6"-10" BARREL LENGTH ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE BOTH A LONGER SITE RADIAS AND GET THE FULL BENEFIT FROM THE POWDER BURN.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... pe=Handgun
just a comparison here of
commonly used revolver cast bullet hand loads
for hunting,Id point out that operator skill and experience matters a great deal.
even the properly hand loaded 357 mag will prove lethal to deer and hogs and even elk in skilled hands,
but its generally considered marginal on the larger game at ranges over 50 yards
357 mag .357 diam......170 grain projectile at 1400 fps 750 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
41 mag....410 diam.....210 grain projectile at 1400 fps 914 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=41 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
44 mag....430 diam.....310 grain projectile at 1300 fps 1160 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44 Magnum&Weight=300&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
these last five will take a great deal more practice as muzzle blast,and recoil levels are noticeable, the 480 rugers a great compromise between power and recoil
445 DWSM mag....430 diam.....310 grain projectile at 1570fps 1690 ft lbs
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=445 Supermag&Weight=All&type=Handgun
454 cassul....454 diam.....335 grain projectile at 1500 fps 1675 ft lbs
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=454 Casull&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Source
460 S&W......454 diam. 360 grain projectile at 1600 fps 2046 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=460 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
480 ruger.....476 diam......325 grain projectile at 1375 fps 1365 ft lbs
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=480 Ruger&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
500 S&W.....500 diam. 400 grain projectile at 1600 fps 2274 ft lbs
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All
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