Has anyone used the Winchester Premium 180 grain .357 load for pig? I will be using a 5" model 27-2 and shots would be out to 40 yards or less. Or, would you opt for a hard cast bullet of the same weight?
Thanks for any suggestions and info!

I have no experience with the .357 but would opt for hard cast in my .454 for bigger pigs.

Hey John,

I have not used the win 180..but have killed numerous pigs in your neck of the woods with .357 175 gr JHP out of a 4 inch ruger blackhawk..works like a champ.

Good hunting.

While it will probably work OK much of the time, it is far from optimum on anything other than brain shots.

My hog kills tally into the 3-figure range, and I consider the .44 Magnum handloaded with either 250 grain Partitions or 320 grain Cast Performance LBT-style heat-treated solids to be where "hog cartridges" begin. From a 9.5" barrel, both of these bullets leave the muzzle right at 1400 fps.

The wide, flat meplat of the LBT slug cuts a neat 1 1/2" wound channel all the way through and results in an immediate drop in blood pressure -- not to mention any interests in worldly matters.

While this hog is far from the typical representation of those I have taken, they do --albeit on rather rare occasion -- get this big.

Most fully mature boars will run 180-220 pounds.

I don't know what the bullet is in the Win Premium load but I wouldn't hesitate to shoot the largest hog that walks with a good hard cast lead .357 bullet IF THE SHOOTER CAN PLACE HIS SHOTS either right behind the front leg or a CNS shot. If the Premium load is a soft point designed more for self defense then I would not recommend using it on hogs. Big Boar's shield can play havoc with some soft point bullets.

All that said, I'm like Bobby, I prefer a .44 Mag hardcast, have killed several with 240 gr Keith designs from Leadhead bullets but at about 1250 fps or so. Mostly because that's what I'm carrying when I happen on them or am deer hunting, the majority of my hogs are killed with a .308 or .300 WM rifle but pistols certainly work, as long as the shooter does his part.

A good 180 grain WLFN hard cast in the 357 will work. I killed a number of hogs in the 70s with 160 grain flat point and you do not have an abundance of penetration or leway for error, but yes it will work.

The 41 Mag is a considerable step up in Hog medicine and it goes up from there. A 41 Mag is not a bad kicker yet has a reasonable amount of horse power. Of course the 44 Mag, 45 COlt and or 454, 475 500 JRH and Linebaugh are excelent.

Gentlemen;

I certainly appreciate everyone's response. As I failed to mentioned before, the only other "suitable" revolver I have is a 4" .44 Mountain Gun. Shooting accurately with either isn't a problem, although I'm concerned about the short bbl's and reduced velocities.

I believe the heaviest "premium" .357 round I've seen is the Winchester, which uses the Nosler Partition 180 grain bullet.

Unfortunately, as the years went by, the 6" .41 and .44's were sold and my only "sporting" rifle is a Model 70 in .375 H&H!

Guess what I'll probably end up using...

Thanks again.

There is nothing wrong with a 4" 44

I wouldn't be so worried about the velocity capabilities of a 4-inch .44 as long as it is accurate and loaded properly. I think a .357 mag is on the light side for medium to large hogs and it would work fine for head shots, but often times the head shot doesn't present itself.......so, I like to be prepared for the worst, meaning that you need adequate penetration. Heavy hardcast flat-nosed bullets are just the ticket. If I were you, the .44 would get the nod over the .357. Shot placement is always critical no matter what you shoot.......

quote:

Originally posted by John Palmer:
Gentlemen;

I certainly appreciate everyone's response. As I failed to mentioned before, the only other "suitable" revolver I have is a 4" .44 Mountain Gun. Shooting accurately with either isn't a problem, although I'm concerned about the short bbl's and reduced velocities.

I believe the heaviest "premium" .357 round I've seen is the Winchester, which uses the Nosler Partition 180 grain bullet.

Unfortunately, as the years went by, the 6" .41 and .44's were sold and my only "sporting" rifle is a Model 70 in .375 H&H!

Guess what I'll probably end up using...

Thanks again.

Federal, Buffalo Bore, Double Tap Ammo all load a 180 grain Flat Point Hard Cast for the 357 Mag


The 4" 44 Mag is certainly hiogher on the ballistic food chain the the 357 Mag despite the Barrel lenght

I'm satisfied with my .41 mag. mountain gun for pig hunting, but we hunt up close and personel. I don't use a particullary hot load, 210 hard cast bullet at about 1100fps. If the shots are at reasonable ranges you should do okay with either gun. Having said all that I prefer big holes in my handgun barrels for all hunting and hogs are bigger and tougher than rabbits.

Hogs are notorious for leaving poor blood trails though, so hunting them with handguns is a challenge. I'd use the .44 mag.