Bogie,
I did it with my 627PC. Used 158 grain XTP's with just over 14 1/2 grains of 2400. Fourteen point eight grains, I think was the exact load, but definitely under maximum. The bullet did not expand and if I would have had to track this bad boy, would have lost him. No entrance hole or exit wound. The compound fracture of the leg was the only visible damage. There was almost no external bleeding. At least not enough to track.
Admit that what I was trying to do is push the envelope, "What is a minimum load?". In answering that question, would have to say that a solid defensive load will kill deer, even huge ones. The key deal, again, is going to be shot placement. And lots of patience to get that right shot. Took me two days to get this one deer to go broadside, inside 50 yards.
A 357 Magnum is a true test of hunting skill, shooting prowess and what type of a man you really are. It is really tough to look at a 250 pound animal for hours just outside your shooting perimeter and say no go. Watch him walk away and see your days hunting aspirations go up in smoke.
Robert
[This message has been edited by Robert the41MagFan (edited July 21, 2000).]
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