Hunting with the .357 magnum?

[Alden]

Has anybody here ever hunted deer with a .357?

Just curious. I have never really considered doing it, as mine is a Vaquero and I can't hit the broad side of a barn past about 10 yards with it.

[Water-Man]

I've taken a few deer with a Puma 92 rifle in .357 Mag. It works quite well.

[Alden]

At what distance?

[Water-Man]

All within 50 yds. but I have no doubt that 100 yds. would be no problem with the proper ammunition.

[Alden]

I see. I wonder about using a revolver though.

You wouldn't get as good performance out of that bullet through a 6 inch barrel as you do out of an 18 inch barrel. Not to mention the better accuracy from a rifle.

[bullspotter]

I have taken 2 deer with 357, one with a win 94 at about 60 yards, broadside shot, deer ran about 40 yards or so and tipped. 2 nd was with a smith 686 with 2x scope, was about 20 yards, sat right on the trail they were using, they came right down the trail, didnt see me, I couldnt belive how close they got before they saw me, they just stopped and looked at me funny, Shot was striaght on the the neck about 4-5 inches below the chin, dropped it right on the spot. Both does, and bullets were hand loaded 158 gr gold dots.

[HiBC]

About hitting something past ten yards: Get a whole bunch of light 38 spl target loads.You have fixed sights,do not worry about sighting in.just shoot at paper for groups.Aim at the bullseye.Focus very carefully on perfect sight alignment as you squeeze.Concentrate on seeing where the sights were when the gun recoils,predict where you missed(call your shot)Wear earplugs.
And you might try putting a Trapper or Wolff spring kit in the trigger.Whatever range you can keep them all on an 8 in paper plate is probably good but I'd suggest bow range.
Later,practice with .357 loads.You can sight in,to a degree,by trying different loads.they will shoot different.

[Win_94]

I shot a 200lbs. doe with my S&W 686 at 65 yards. Went between ribs, hit the heart/lung then broke a rib on the way out. It ran less than 100 yards before collapsing.

[mwal]

I shot a buck 2 years ago with GP100 6inch .357 158 Federal Fusion. 18 yrds neck shot dropped on the spot.

Mwal

[Alden]

Sounds like a heart or neck shot is the ticket.

Thanks for the advice on the Vaquero, too. I have actually done that, and I got pretty good with it, but without continual practice I can't hit anything consistently like I can with my STI 1911 with adjustable sights.

It's almost like if you want to be good with a Vaquero you'd better only shoot a Vaquero and nothing else.

[shortwave]

Used to use a 357 Blackhawk years ago. Shot quite a few deer with it. Then it was either the 44 or 41mag after that. Can't remember which order.

At any rate, the 41mag was my pick for a long time. Still is but I'm really warming up to the 475/480 BFR.

Whatever range you can keep them all on an 8 in paper plate...

You got the best advice right there.

Practice, practice, practice until you're as confident with your pistol and pistol deer hunting load at closer ranges as you are with your long gun at longer ranges.

[Doyle]

I can't hit the broad side of a barn past about 10 yards with it.

You might want to try a different revolver. I own one .357 Blackhawk now and I used to have a .44 Super Blackhawk. While I wasn't terrible with either, I couldn't get consistent groups. Then, I tried another shooter's double action revolver and found that my groups tightened up nicely. My natural grip works nicely with a double action revolver but I can't quite get the hang of the proper grip that a single action requires.

[dewcrew8]

I shoot a 8pt buck 2 yrs ago with a thompson hawken rifle in 45 cal with a .357 sabot in it and dropped him in his tracks at 35yards.

[HotShot.444]

Some of the best insight on sighting-in that I've seen lately. Nice idea to start with the cheap stuff and work up, building confidence. +1 for you!

[Alden]

Doyle's right. That's why I'm looking for a .44 mag Ruger Redhawk right now.

I want one with a 5&1/2 inch barrel, and they are few and far between.

[Doyle]

Alden, you might want to consider a S&W 629 5". It seems to be more available than the 5 1/2" Redhawk you are looking for. I've got one and love it.

[Alden]

That's another one I may get.

S&W are very well made, but I'm partial to Rugers and I hear the Redhawk is built like a tank.

[Doyle]

Alden, if you happen to be in the Bradenton/Sarasota area I'll let you take a look at my S&W. It was due to shooting another guy's 629 (from the Florida Shooters Network forum) that made me want to buy one.

[lashlaroe]

I've taken a number of deer, mostly northern deer in Michigan, with my Dan Wesson 15-2 .357. Most around 50 yards, but a few near 100 yds. Difference is that I know I can consistently keep my shots within 6" at 100 yds, or I wouldn't take the shots.

As far as getting a .44, I think maybe you should, given your stated lack of confidence in the Vaquero. I recommend you look at a longer barrel rather than a short one if you are primarily interested in handgun hunting. Two reasons, longer sighting radius and typically better accuracy for the average shooter. Plus, it won't look so odd when you decide to add that pistol scope.

In any case, practice, practice, practice...'till you absolutely know what shots to take and which to let pass you by. Welcome to the exciting world of handgun hunting.

[treg]

Thanks for the advice on the Vaquero, too. I have actually done that, and I got pretty good with it, but without continual practice I can't hit anything consistently like I can with my STI 1911 with adjustable sights.

Using your STI .45 would be a worthy ambition.

There are also gunsmiths that will modify your Vaquero for an adjustable rear sight.