357 Mag – 165 Gr DGH – Hornady Back Country (90608) – 250 Rounds

Hikers, hunters, and anglers who carry a 357 Magnum in bear and hog country want a bullet that penetrates in a straight line rather than one that opens up fast. This listing is Hornady Backcountry Defense 357 Mag 165 grain DGH ammo, MPN 90608, sold as 250 rounds. Backcountry Defense is Hornady’s handgun line for remote wilderness encounters, and this load is built for a revolver or lever gun carried on the trail.

DGH stands for Dangerous Game Handgun. Hornady describes the bullet as having a protected point that locks the nose to the core for maximum straight line penetration while limiting deflection. That is the opposite design goal from a typical hollow point, which trades depth for expansion. The heavy for caliber 165 grain weight adds momentum, and the jacketed bullet produces no lead smoke, so the sight picture clears quickly for a follow up shot. Hornady does not publish a velocity figure on the product page we checked, so we do not list one here.

This ammunition fits firearms chambered in 357 Magnum, including the Ruger GP100, Blackhawk, and SP101, Smith and Wesson 686 and Model 19, Colt Python and King Cobra, Taurus Raging Hunter, and lever action rifles such as the Henry Big Boy, Marlin 1894C, and Rossi R92. A common question is whether a deep penetrating 357 load is enough for bear defense. It is a common choice for black bear country, but many guides recommend larger calibers for grizzly, and shot placement matters most. Another common question is whether 357 Magnum can be fired in a 38 Special revolver. No, never. The longer 357 case is made to prevent that.

Hornady 90608 is new production ammunition, not reloads, made in the USA by Hornady in Grand Island, Nebraska. Cases are reloadable brass with boxer primers, and the components are non-corrosive. This listing ships as 10 boxes of 25 rounds for 250 total from one lot, enough to confirm your revolver regulates well with the heavy bullet and to carry fresh rounds every season.