Do Barnes copper 357 magnum slugs penetrate better?

[kernman]

I was looking at buying a couple of boxes of Cor-Bon ammo to hunt black tails at under 50, with a 4-inch Ruger Security Six.

The ammo is listed as DPX Ammunition 357 Magnum 125 Grain Barnes XPB Box of 20.   

Some say you need heavier grain slugs for deer using a 357.

Would copper slugs equal the performance of cast in terms of penetration. I assume cast does not mushroom, as the Barnes slugs.

Can anybody comment on this? Has anybody tried the 125 Barnes
Cor-Bon, 125 grain ammo on deer?

Thanks in advance.

Frank

[Sverre A.]

A bullet which penetrate very well - is Frontier 158 gr. CMJ Cast.

[Chris Potts]

I believe that he may be in California and looking for a lead free bullet

Chris

[Ak.Hiker]

I would guess that the 125 DPX would work well on deer sized game in a 4 inch 357 Magnum. The DPX will be longer than a 125 grain lead bullet and should give 100% weight retention and good penetration. I doubt that they will be able to offer the penetration of a cast bullet. I do know that CorBon does have other loads designed for hunting available in the 357 Magnum.

[Ak.Hiker]

I just double checked the Federal web site and if you need an all copper hunting load they do market a 140 grain 357 Magnum Barnes Expander that is listed as a hunting load if you want a bullet that is a little heavier and loaded hotter. 

[Catfish]

I have never use the Barns X bullets in .357 cal., but I have used then in .44 cal. saboted into a .50 cal. muzzle loader. I have taken 3 deer with them and recovered 1 bullet. The recovered bullet was from a big buck shot at 289 yrds. ( lazered). The bullet went in the frount shoulder and was recovered just under the skin of a hind quater. Expantion was picture perfict. From what I`ve seen I would recomand the 140 gr. bullets over the 125`s, but I would guess eather would work well.

[kernman]

Yes Chris,

I am in California, and am confined to a copper bullet. There's lot of scrambling to find copper, as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand.

Thanks for checking the Federal webesite, Ak.Hiker. I was unaware Federal offers 140 grain copper. I must have missed it.

Since I don't reload, I'm having to adjust to the lead ban. For example, I sent away for a 20 gauge rifle slug barrel for my 12 gauge shotgun. Reason? Copper slugs seem to be in good supply. Apparently, it's some of the rifle calibers - such as .30-.30 - that are in short supply.

I wanted to use my stainless Ruger as backup to my rifle during wet weather. But Im also interested in handgun hunting.

I would definitely go the the 140 grain then.

Thank you all for your replies.

Frank

[Redhawk1]

The Barnes bullets will work just fine of deer under 50 yards as you asked with your 357 Mag, as for penetration, nothing penetrates like a good hard cast bullet. Unless you're using maybe a punch bullet.