Has anyone here got any experience with the HSM Bear Loads in .357 mag (180 grain bullet)? I have a Henry Lever action Steel Big Box in this caliber, and I'm wondering how this load would work for feral hog control. I'm guessing that effective range would be under 150 yards at best, and since most of the opportunities I have for this kind of task are mostly less than 150 yards, it appears that this load might be a good choice for the task.

I only recently became aware of this load after seeing it at my local Cabela's store. It's a good looking round and the manufacturer website states that it is loaded within allowable pressure specifications and suitable for use in any quality made firearm. My concerns are about the round's accuracy and effectiveness for removing feral hogs from the ever growing population.

I'd appreciate any info anyone might have after shooting and using this ammo. It's not cheap, but then neither is any quality full bore .357 mag loading. A good 158 grain loading might also be good for the job, but I like the idea of the heavier load for the hopefully additional penetration it might give due to the extra momentum provided by the addtional bullet weight. I'm also aware that Buffalo Bore builds a heavy outdoor loading with this same bullet weight. Any one have any experience with the BB loading? Thanks for any help anyone can give from their own experiences with these two loads.

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So long ... Ken

I have not shot the HSM load but I do have experience with the Buffalo Bore 180 grain Hard Cast LSWC .357 load. In fact, that is my official woods load and gets carried in my 3" M65 when I am out there hiking. That said, if PURPOSELY going out for a Hog hunt on dangerous game I would probably select a larger caliber.

From the 3" K Frame M65 I chronograph over 1305 fps and out of a 4" bbl around 1380 fps. Out of a 6" tube I would expect around 1450 fps but have not actually chronographed that length bbl. yet. I would only expect much higher velocities from rifles or carbines probably upwards of 1550 fps but that is a guess. As good a .357 load as they are, if I was to go out purposely hunting feral Hogs I think I'd opt for a larger caliber. I have never shot Hogs, but heard they can be tough.

Those BB loads are heavy duty and in the .357 caliber probably the best performing Bear loads available anywhere or at any price.

While I am not a big fan of rubber grips, if shooting those from a 3" or 4" revolver I'd suggest using the rubbers if more than one cylinder full is to be fired - they are kinda stiff! A Lever Action Carbine should not be a big deal for these loads.

Thanks for that info, Chief38. I suspected as much! I'm guessing that I'd prefer my Pachs on any handgun that I might fire these loads in. And I also suspect that a good revolver equipped with the BB loads would be a good "backup" gun or for use as a final "kill" shot if necessary on a disabled animal. My purpose for the lever action has to do with it being an easily carried rifle in a vehicle that would always be handy if the opportunity presented itself to shoot a hog while otherwise going about your business. A great many of those kind of shots do not involve a particularly large or tough older hog. They can be tough for sure, but not so much until they get some age on them. Many places where they are found are brushy or have lots of trees so that ranges they are seen are not long. In the flat country where I live, they are often seen late and early in the open corners around a circle of corn or some other sorghum crop. Usually they will skin back inside the corn out of sight pretty quickly so you must be ready to go if you see them. They are particularly devasting to a peanut patch. They'll go right down the row uprooting the plants to get at the nuts underneath, and sometimes they get so engrossed in their eating that if you haven't made a lot of noise, you can have a quick opportunity for a shot.

Like you say, if I set out for a dedicated day (or night) of hog hunting, I have other rifles and calibers more suitable, especially for longer range opportunities. But these guns are not nearly so easily carried and used, especially if you happen to be moving about on a four wheeler (or a tractor!) around a farm or ranch.

I think the BB website lists the velocity of their heavy load at about 1850 fps out of an 18 1/2" rifle barrel. My Henry has a 20" inch barrel so velocities should be comensurate. I mainly don't want to batter either my rifle or my revolvers with them, but at the same time, after enough rounds fired to know what to expect of them on a target within about a hundred yards, I wouldn't expect to be shooting a lot of them! Thanks again for your help!

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So long ... Ken

I've seen stories of guys taking hogs with .45/70s in the 500+gr range, and seen stories of similar results with 55gr .223.

Sounds like your choice of load is fine, now it all boils down to a rifle you can score hits with.

I hear you loud and clear, Sir! Several things need to come together to have a successful outcome, and perhaps the most important thing is the person pulling the trigger. Where that bullet lands will make a huge difference in the outcome. I don't expect to be stretching the range with this gun, but the gun will do it's job if I do mine! Right now, the only real unknown for me is the ammo, since I have not used it previously. That's why I was hoping maybe some one else had actual experience with the load on real live animals.

I am fairly certain the 180 grain hard cast gas checked bullet will get the job done, but there are hogs and then there are HOGS! Penetration is very important. I'm about to find out if the ammo is sufficiently accurate in my rifle. And I will probably find out how it works on a hog by limiting my shots to smaller and younger hogs at first and working my way up! Both of the rounds you mention require careful attention to aim, and good range judgement as well. Then again, all calibers and loads need the same treatment.

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So long ... Ken