.357 for deer, which one?

VeT|Us · August 23, 2006, 05:15 AM

I have a Marlin .357 lever I want to try out on deer either this season or the next, and I'm having trouble deciding for which round I should use.

I have some Rem 125gr JSP lying around, but I heard that in a carbine, 125grainers gained so much velocity that they fragmented way too soon to be used for hunting, and that I should opt for heavier bullets.

So, im seeking help, should I use the Rem 125gr JSP or Partizan 158gr JHP?

FirstFreedom · August 23, 2006, 08:01 AM

You want to use a lead semi-wadcutter in 158 gr or 180 gr. But if you must use one of those, definitely the 158 partizan. These might be a bit overkill, but they'd be my choice if I thought I would get a shot at a trophy buck:

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357

One of those first 2 - the 180 LFN-GC, or the 170 JHC.

VeT|Us · August 23, 2006, 08:04 AM

Thanks, as the .357 is already a little marginal for deer, I'd rather go for overkill than aftersearch

hossdaniels · August 23, 2006, 06:54 PM

+1 buffalo bore
works outta my gp100

THKSNOW · September 20, 2006, 02:49 PM

(maybe we are not talking handguns here...?) I started with a 357 and went to a 44 for longer distance shots/more killing power. I found that any deer past 50 yards was "out of range" for a 357. I got tired or passing on the 70-80 yard shots, didn't want to wound anything, wanted to be sure they were going down if I pulled the trigger.

VeT|Us · September 20, 2006, 04:31 PM

It's a Marlin 1894C.
I've found my load, Partizan 158grs JHP

Accurate and powerfull.

rem33 · September 20, 2006, 05:44 PM

Go get a center fire rifle that fires a bullet suitable for deer and not a pistol caliber in a rifle.

youp · September 20, 2006, 07:35 PM

I gotta agree with rem 33. Most would hardly consider the 357 powerful. Most would in fact call it marginal, for deer.

Hook686 · September 20, 2006, 10:25 PM

This article compares a .357 magnum levergun, with right ammunition, and within its range, to a venerable 30-30 levergun. Is Jeff Quinn got an idea, or is he full of .... molasses ?

http://www.gunblast.com/Winchester-Ranger357.htm

VeT|Us · September 21, 2006, 04:08 AM

Why should I tote around a rifle that enables me to take deer at 200 yards and weighs alot when I hunt on a terrain that is so dense and woody that 60-70 yard are long shots, and the the most probable are shots within 40 yards?

DWARREN123 · September 21, 2006, 06:52 AM

A heavy bullet, minimum 158gr. I would go with a 165 or 180gr. For a light handy rifle for less than 100 yards the Marlin is good, especially for those 50-60 yards shots.
The most important thing is to test the cartridges out and make sure them perform porperly.

Brian Williams · September 21, 2006, 08:52 AM

I am shooting a 165gr LSWGC with 17 Gr of Lil'gun and it is a real thumper. It will do any deer with in normal 30-30 range.

9mm1033 · September 22, 2006, 12:31 PM

I'm a whitetail deer shotgun hunter, but I'm trying my .357 handgun this season. I just ordered the CastCore for medium size animals. Search here under pistol, hunting: http://www.federalcartridge.com/ball...mo_Search.aspx. The woods here in Ohio should be fine out to 50 yards max with a handgun. We are not allowed to use a rifle for hunting. Bow hunters drop good size deer, why not a .357 round designed for hunting.

hossdaniels · September 24, 2006, 09:18 AM

Out of a carbine, 357 is more than enough for deer. Handguns are where the cartridge becomes marginal(but is effective in range with a good shot). With a stout load you could be looking at 150 yd shots.

Jack O'Conner · September 26, 2006, 09:07 AM

I killed a big cow elk with my .357 revolver. Hunted with plain 158 grain CCI Blazer semi-jacket hollow tip ammo. Distance was about 50 feet. First bullet struck the crease behind the shoulder. The animal trotted away. My second bullet struck a little farther back but destroyed the diaphram and the liver.

My brother and I took up the trail an hour later and found the dead cow elk after about 175 yards or so. It was stone dead.

357 MAG is light for elk and possibly illegal in some areas. 357 MAG for deer also requires patience and perfect shot placement. Not the right choice for a once-a-year hunter who is impatient, clumsy, and can't judge distance. But a careful hunter and good shot can still get the job done.
Jack

August 23, 2006, 05:15 AM	#1
VeT\|Us Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 44	.357 for deer, which one? I have a Marlin .357 lever I want to try out on deer either this season or the next, and I'm having trouble deciding for which round I should use. I have some Rem 125gr JSP lying around, but I heard that in a carbine, 125grainers gained so much velocity that they fragmented way too soon to be used for hunting, and that I should opt for heavier bullets. So, im seeking help, should I use the Rem 125gr JSP or Partizan 158gr JHP?

August 23, 2006, 08:01 AM	#2
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	None of the above You want to use a lead semi-wadcutter in 158 gr or 180 gr. But if you must use one of those, definitely the 158 partizan. These might be a bit overkill, but they'd be my choice if I thought I would get a shot at a trophy buck: http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357 One of those first 2 - the 180 LFN-GC, or the 170 JHC.

September 20, 2006, 07:35 PM	#8
youp Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Location: south of Canada, eh? Posts: 438	I gotta agree with rem 33. Most would hardly consider the 357 powerful. Most would in fact call it marginal, for deer. __________________ Use enough gun.

September 20, 2006, 10:25 PM	#9
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	.357 magnum compares to 30-30 ? This article compares a .357 magnum levergun, with right ammunition, and within its range, to a venerable 30-30 levergun. Is Jeff Quinn got an idea, or is he full of .... molasses ? http://www.gunblast.com/Winchester-Ranger357.htm __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides.

September 21, 2006, 08:52 AM	#12
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	I am shooting a 165gr LSWGC with 17 Gr of Lil'gun and it is a real thumper. It will do any deer with in normal 30-30 range. __________________ Brian <><

August 23, 2006, 08:04 AM	#3
VeT\|Us Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 44	Thanks, as the .357 is already a little marginal for deer, I'd rather go for overkill than aftersearch

August 23, 2006, 06:54 PM	#4
hossdaniels Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Posts: 162	+1 buffalo bore works outta my gp100

September 20, 2006, 02:49 PM	#5
THKSNOW Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2006 Location: Tipton, Michigan Posts: 10	(maybe we are not talking handguns here...?) I started with a 357 and went to a 44 for longer distance shots/more killing power. I found that any deer past 50 yards was "out of range" for a 357. I got tired or passing on the 70-80 yard shots, didn't want to wound anything, wanted to be sure they were going down if I pulled the trigger.

September 20, 2006, 04:31 PM	#6
VeT\|Us Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 44	It's a Marlin 1894C. I've found my load, Partizan 158grs JHP Accurate and powerfull.

September 20, 2006, 05:44 PM	#7
rem33 Junior member Join Date: March 31, 2006 Posts: 1,528	Go get a center fire rifle that fires a bullet suitable for deer and not a pistol caliber in a rifle.

September 21, 2006, 04:08 AM	#10
VeT\|Us Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 44	Why should I tote around a rifle that enables me to take deer at 200 yards and weighs alot when I hunt on a terrain that is so dense and woody that 60-70 yard are long shots, and the the most probable are shots within 40 yards?

September 21, 2006, 06:52 AM	#11
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	A heavy bullet, minimum 158gr. I would go with a 165 or 180gr. For a light handy rifle for less than 100 yards the Marlin is good, especially for those 50-60 yards shots. The most important thing is to test the cartridges out and make sure them perform porperly.

September 22, 2006, 12:31 PM	#13
9mm1033 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: A big city with far too many cars and people. Posts: 932	I'm a whitetail deer shotgun hunter, but I'm trying my .357 handgun this season. I just ordered the CastCore for medium size animals. Search here under pistol, hunting: http://www.federalcartridge.com/ball...mo_Search.aspx. The woods here in Ohio should be fine out to 50 yards max with a handgun. We are not allowed to use a rifle for hunting. Bow hunters drop good size deer, why not a .357 round designed for hunting. __________________ No one reads or cares what is written in ones signature box. So I'm not writing anything worth reading or remembering.

September 24, 2006, 09:18 AM	#14
hossdaniels Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Posts: 162	Out of a carbine, 357 is more than enough for deer. Handguns are where the cartridge becomes marginal(but is effective in range with a good shot). With a stout load you could be looking at 150 yd shots.

September 26, 2006, 09:07 AM	#15
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I killed a big cow elk with my .357 revolver. Hunted with plain 158 grain CCI Blazer semi-jacket hollow tip ammo. Distance was about 50 feet. First bullet struck the crease behind the shoulder. The animal trotted away. My second bullet struck a little farther back but destroyed the diaphram and the liver. My brother and I took up the trail an hour later and found the dead cow elk after about 175 yards or so. It was stone dead. 357 MAG is light for elk and possibly illegal in some areas. 357 MAG for deer also requires patience and perfect shot placement. Not the right choice for a once-a-year hunter who is impatient, clumsy, and can't judge distance. But a careful hunter and good shot can still get the job done. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.