The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Need advice on 4" Security Six for Deer Season

T. O'Heir · November 7, 2018, 03:13 PM

"...don't think a hollow point will..." Shot placement matters most like any other cartridge. Only serious issue will be the velocity and remaining energy out of a 4" barrel. Plus how well you can place the shot. However, the .357 is marginal for deer out of a 20" rifle. Be less than marginal out of a 4" revolver. Probably ok at under 50 yards or, better, at archery distances. That's less than 20 yards.
A Federal 158 JHP out of a 4" barrel runs a bit under 1300 FPS. 1332 FPS for Hydro-Shok's according to Ballistics by the Inch. Energy is not enough though. Federal's factory ME is only 539 ft-lbs. That's not enough.
Federal does load a cast 180 they claim is for hunting deer/bear. That'd be better than a jacketed 158, if your revolver shoots 'em well enough. As daft as that sounds.

November 7, 2018, 03:13 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...don't think a hollow point will..." Shot placement matters most like any other cartridge. Only serious issue will be the velocity and remaining energy out of a 4" barrel. Plus how well you can place the shot. However, the .357 is marginal for deer out of a 20" rifle. Be less than marginal out of a 4" revolver. Probably ok at under 50 yards or, better, at archery distances. That's less than 20 yards. A Federal 158 JHP out of a 4" barrel runs a bit under 1300 FPS. 1332 FPS for Hydro-Shok's according to Ballistics by the Inch. Energy is not enough though. Federal's factory ME is only 539 ft-lbs. That's not enough. Federal does load a cast 180 they claim is for hunting deer/bear. That'd be better than a jacketed 158, if your revolver shoots 'em well enough. As daft as that sounds. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!