The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

WESHOOT2 · January 1, 2006, 08:50 AM

I was studying this exact subject this morn; is the 357 acceptable for deer hunting?

The overall general consensus (I've been studying this exact subject since 1978) is no.
While the 357 Magnum cartridge accounts for many deer each year it comes from the hands of very experienced hunter/shooters.
Power, while minimal, can be sufficient (I'm certain my 180g R-P JHP @ 1400fps from my 7.5" Redhawk will work, slower from my 5.5" version).
But only just so, and distance destroys this cartridges' already-minimal efficiency.

NO! for black bear; again, 'sufficient', but NOT a good choice.

Simple answer: 44 Magnum Redhawk (mine's the 5.5").
Complex answer: 45 Colt only if you handload, or can afford the right gun n ammo (I have the 5.5" Redhawk); also in this predicament is the 41 Magnum (mine's in another 5.5" Redhawk).

So, if you really wanna, go get a Redhawk and good ammo........

See, I studied and studied and I ended up with five Redhawks...I got two 4" GP's, too, but them Redhawks, man.....black bear and deer run through my yard regularly.....

January 1, 2006, 08:50 AM	#11
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	what I do in the (early) morning I was studying this exact subject this morn; is the 357 acceptable for deer hunting? The overall general consensus (I've been studying this exact subject since 1978) is no. While the 357 Magnum cartridge accounts for many deer each year it comes from the hands of very experienced hunter/shooters. Power, while minimal, can be sufficient (I'm certain my 180g R-P JHP @ 1400fps from my 7.5" Redhawk will work, slower from my 5.5" version). But only just so, and distance destroys this cartridges' already-minimal efficiency. NO! for black bear; again, 'sufficient', but NOT a good choice. Simple answer: 44 Magnum Redhawk (mine's the 5.5"). Complex answer: 45 Colt only if you handload, or can afford the right gun n ammo (I have the 5.5" Redhawk); also in this predicament is the 41 Magnum (mine's in another 5.5" Redhawk). So, if you really wanna, go get a Redhawk and good ammo........ See, I studied and studied and I ended up with five Redhawks...I got two 4" GP's, too, but them Redhawks, man.....black bear and deer run through my yard regularly..... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"