Deer with a .357.....

sixgun67 · December 22, 2010, 11:56 AM

I've never used my .357 for hunting, a 4" K frame, but I'd like to. One of my deer blinds is in such a thicket that it has a maximum of 15 yards for a shot. Somewhat overkill for a .30 cal rifle. My last deer shot from that blind was at 10 yds.
The ammo that I have that may be useful for hunting, is 158gr JSP, at 1240fps at muzzle, and around 1190 fps at 25 yds. Would this be an ok round to use on deer or should I look into a heavy hollowpoint? In my hunting area, a large deer is probably 130 pounds. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks all!
sixgun

Pahoo · December 22, 2010, 12:05 PM

Should not be a problem, under the conditions you mentioned. I've only taken one deer with a .357, late in the season, ground blind about 20yds.

Be Safe !!!

Redbullitt · December 22, 2010, 12:25 PM

I think that soft point should do the trick just fine.

lashlaroe · December 22, 2010, 12:54 PM

Yup! That will do fine. I've taken a few deer, most larger than the 130 lbs you mention, with that very round. While the 180 and larger hunting bullets are often pushed, I believe that the 158 gr JSP is just fine for deer sized game. Especially at the short ranges you are talking about.

Fair warning though! It has been my experience that once you start handgun hunting, it can be contagious!

bamaranger · December 27, 2010, 02:11 AM

get some plugs or muff's!!!!!!!

I can't imagine what a 4" .357 blast is gonna be like inside the confines of a blind w/o ear protection.

I finished off a number of deer injured in car v auto MVA's back in the revolver days w/ 4" .357 revolver, mostly w/ full house 125 gr JHP. The load worked just fine, though I shot most of them high in the neck.

I used plugs, kept'em handy in the vehicle.

Jack O'Conner · March 8, 2011, 12:29 AM

This is an adult cow elk I took with my Taurus 357 MAG.

The 357 MAG is certainly NOT a rifle cartridge so don't take long shots with it. But the hunter who keeps his distance close like an archer and waits for perfect angle to take both lungs can topple just about anything that walks with his 357 MAG revolver.

TR

Win_94 · March 8, 2011, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Any thoughts on this?

In Ohio we need a specific length barrel, make sure your barrel fits the bill.

I use a subsonic load so the transonic airflow does not interfere with accuracy. At the ranges you are shooting at I wouldn't think it makes much difference. The last deer I harvested with my 357 was a 200lbs doe at 65 yards using the Hornady 158gr XTP-HP.

M.O.A. · March 8, 2011, 02:28 AM

yap good deer bullet and at 15 or so yards the 4" barrel will work but an 8" is better

publius · March 10, 2011, 12:10 AM

Should work just fine. i took a whitetail doe cleanly at @15yds. w/a 2.5" M19 and 158gr. LSWC handloads. 158-180gr. JSP should work just fine.

BfloBill · March 11, 2011, 12:22 AM

+1 Win 94

NY requires a 6" barrel, make sure you don't jam yourself up.

Stick_man · March 13, 2011, 11:25 PM

My bullet of choice for the .357magnum when going after deer would be a medium-hard cast 180gr WFN (wide flat nose). Something with a
BHN of 10-12 would still provide some expansion and great penetration. At those distances, 1100-1200 fps would be fine.

A second choice would be a 158gr RFN or SWC at around the same configuration as listed above.

I have had poor performance out of jacketed handgun bullets in hunting situations. With hollow points, they either don't expand at all or they quickly expand, shedding their jackets and have minimal penetration. I tend to believe in penetration to the vitals for best effectiveness.

December 22, 2010, 11:56 AM	#1
sixgun67 Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2009 Location: New Philadelphia, Oh Posts: 238	Deer with a .357..... I've never used my .357 for hunting, a 4" K frame, but I'd like to. One of my deer blinds is in such a thicket that it has a maximum of 15 yards for a shot. Somewhat overkill for a .30 cal rifle. My last deer shot from that blind was at 10 yds. The ammo that I have that may be useful for hunting, is 158gr JSP, at 1240fps at muzzle, and around 1190 fps at 25 yds. Would this be an ok round to use on deer or should I look into a heavy hollowpoint? In my hunting area, a large deer is probably 130 pounds. Any thoughts on this? Thanks all! sixgun

December 22, 2010, 12:54 PM	#4
lashlaroe Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 180	Yup! That will do fine. I've taken a few deer, most larger than the 130 lbs you mention, with that very round. While the 180 and larger hunting bullets are often pushed, I believe that the 158 gr JSP is just fine for deer sized game. Especially at the short ranges you are talking about. Fair warning though! It has been my experience that once you start handgun hunting, it can be contagious! __________________ Mike As much as I believe that there is good in every person, I'm not so naive as to think that all people are essentially good. Evil and evil people exist. Deny that fact at your own risk.

December 27, 2010, 02:11 AM	#5
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	ears get some plugs or muff's!!!!!!! I can't imagine what a 4" .357 blast is gonna be like inside the confines of a blind w/o ear protection. I finished off a number of deer injured in car v auto MVA's back in the revolver days w/ 4" .357 revolver, mostly w/ full house 125 gr JHP. The load worked just fine, though I shot most of them high in the neck. I used plugs, kept'em handy in the vehicle.

March 8, 2011, 12:29 AM	#6
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	This is an adult cow elk I took with my Taurus 357 MAG. The 357 MAG is certainly NOT a rifle cartridge so don't take long shots with it. But the hunter who keeps his distance close like an archer and waits for perfect angle to take both lungs can topple just about anything that walks with his 357 MAG revolver. TR __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

March 10, 2011, 12:10 AM	#9
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Should work just fine. i took a whitetail doe cleanly at @15yds. w/a 2.5" M19 and 158gr. LSWC handloads. 158-180gr. JSP should work just fine. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

December 22, 2010, 12:05 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Should not be a problem, under the conditions you mentioned. I've only taken one deer with a .357, late in the season, ground blind about 20yds. Be Safe !!!

December 22, 2010, 12:25 PM	#3
Redbullitt Member Join Date: December 15, 2010 Location: Morgantown WV Posts: 62	I think that soft point should do the trick just fine.

March 8, 2011, 02:28 AM	#8
M.O.A. Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: south indiana Posts: 555	yap good deer bullet and at 15 or so yards the 4" barrel will work but an 8" is better

March 11, 2011, 12:22 AM	#10
BfloBill Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2010 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 457	+1 Win 94 NY requires a 6" barrel, make sure you don't jam yourself up.

March 13, 2011, 11:25 PM	#11
Stick_man Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 241	My bullet of choice for the .357magnum when going after deer would be a medium-hard cast 180gr WFN (wide flat nose). Something with a BHN of 10-12 would still provide some expansion and great penetration. At those distances, 1100-1200 fps would be fine. A second choice would be a 158gr RFN or SWC at around the same configuration as listed above. I have had poor performance out of jacketed handgun bullets in hunting situations. With hollow points, they either don't expand at all or they quickly expand, shedding their jackets and have minimal penetration. I tend to believe in penetration to the vitals for best effectiveness.