Author Topic: 357 good for deer (Read 5442 times)

coldmold · « **on:** August 24, 2011, 01:53:08 PM »

I have been hunting with a 44 mag for a number of years. However old arther itus has made it hard for me to shoot my belovid m29. I do have a mo27 in 357. Would the 357 be enough gun for white tail. I load my own ammo so would like some input on loads and bullets. Thank you .
coldmold

300grJHP · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2011, 02:40:13 PM »

I think you'll experience less recoil from a 44 special than 357 mag. I also believe that a 240 gr swc or wfn cast 44 special loaded up to about 900 fps will be as good as any 357 load on deer out to 50 yards.

GH1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2011, 02:44:51 PM »

That question has been debated in the past, sometimes hotly. I believe the .357 is enough gun, provided you're within 100 yards or so. I don't know where you hunt but if you're in a densely wooded area where a 50 yard shot is long, you'll be fine as long as you do your part.
GH1

mechanic · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2011, 03:51:23 PM »

I know folks that hunt deer with a 22 Hornet, (it's legal in Ga). I won't do it, but thats another post. A 357 at short range has plenty of power to take a deer, if the bullet is right and the aim is good. I've seen through and throughs with a 357, leaving a serious wound channel. My baby brother is handicapped, and his new deer rifle is a 'tender pistol in 357.

Aim straight! Shoot a good bullet....ie no "self defense" loads, and you'll bring home venison IMO.

Ben

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2011, 04:42:38 PM »

When 357 First came out one of the S&W shooters took it all over the country hunting all of North America's Big game with it, from Antelope, through deer to Moose and including both bears.
The hunting deer with a 357 is not going to be a problem. If you feel confidant with it use it. Shot palcement is going to mean more than how fast the bullet gets there.
With that said. I agree with 300Gr, shooting a special loaded in one of your mag cases or even shooting specials is going to be more than enough to kill deer. The larger hole will do more damage and leave larger blood trails.
You may also want to try wimpy 44 mags like the Winchester 210 Grain Silver tips or the Remington / UMC 180 grain either JHP or JSP respectively. Huge flash and really loud but not as much recoil as the 240 grains. The Silver tip is just less recoil than the standard 240 if you want to hunt with a factory round. Also think about one of the CCI gold dot 200 grain factory special loads (yes they are Aluminium cases but the bullet is designed for 150 to 200 pound people and a 100 to 200 pound deer, it is not going to bounce off. (Altlaw wrote that one in a post about 7mm Mag and it still cracks me up).
I reload 180 grain warm special rounds in a mag case for my M29 with a 6" to about 1000 FPS using Blue dot Recoil is about like a 38 Specail out of a K frame.

Lost Oki · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2011, 01:55:58 PM »

357 mag rifle. Minimum recoil, deadly on white tail out to 100 yrds (max). I put two on the ground last year. One at 35 yrds second at 40 yrds. Small one field dressed at 139 lbs, 10 lbs more for the second one. I reload using Lil Gun and 158 gr flat points. Shooting a 2 inch group at 100 yards.

Mohawk · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2011, 02:11:39 PM »

A .38 LSWCHP works fine, I included some pics. The deer this bullet downed went about 30 yds, 18-23 yd shot, if not less, yards and fell over dead. Shot was through one shoulder, through both lungs, slug recovered on the out-going hide of the opposite leg. I have previously used a .357 Rem 158 gr. SJHP and it worked fine too. Double lungs. Both went thru and thru, same distance, dime-nickel sized exit wound...... Enjoy your hunt.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2011, 02:21:32 PM »

Coldmold

I have done quite a bit of deer hunting with handguns, and yes, in my opinion, a ,357 mag. with a good quality expanding bullet like the XTP will work, especially on lung shots. Heck, I once killed a black bear with the Remington 357 125 grain hollowpoint police load, one shot and down.

However, I would seriously consider staying with your 44 mag using a hard cast semi-waddcutter type bullet, 240 to 270 grains in weight at about 900 to 1000 fps. Recoil is not bad, and this load will give plenty of penetration, cutting a nice hole thru your deer, with a good blood trail. I used to load the same bullets at 1200 / 1400 fps, but have noticed no real difference in killing power compared to the slower loads, just less recoil and blast. Most of my shots are 50 yards and under. Another option might be a 180 grain jacketed at about 1200 fps. Should give good expansion in the lungs, just stay away from heavy bone / raking shots.

Larry

Cabin4 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2011, 03:12:28 PM »

No problem.

ratgunner · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2011, 03:44:28 PM »

Yes, the .357 will do the job.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2011, 02:55:23 AM »

im with big easy. I think with an expanding bullet at full speed and shots under 50 yards it will do the job. theres definately better tools for the job but ive shot deer with alot less gun.

Ladobe · « **Reply #11 on:** August 28, 2011, 06:46:13 AM »

Have taken a few mule deer bucks with 357MAG in a S&W Model 19 6" and couple of 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawks. With a good bullet and shot placement they work just fine to whatever range you are confident at (including beyond 50 yards).

crossfire · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:50:14 AM »

You don't have to get fancy. The M27 is a descendant of the revolver that was designed for the .357 Magnum and the original bullet for the 1st Magnum, Elmer Keith's #358429 SWC, works just as well today as it did 80 years ago. Paco Kelly lists load data for this combination ( http://fiveshot.org/backissues/paco/357+Heavy.htm ) and recipes can be found on the www.handloads.com website. The bullet is available in weights from 168-173gr, depending on the alloy, from a variety of vendors. Western Bullets lists theirs at 170gr with Lyman #2 alloy for $10/100. The hardcast Leadhead's 168gr version is very good too. Beartooth makes a full 173gr version. The 180gr Remington SJHP also works well at magnum velocities with plenty of lead at the nose to insure expansion.

shot1 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:26:25 AM »

You might even want to try the 180 gr Hornady XTP. I have used it to kill deer with in my 10" T/C Contender 357 mag with 13.5 grs H-110 with good results out to 107 yards. Granted it was moving a bit faster out of the Contender than out of a revolver but it still will expand and the extra weight helps in penetration. I also agree that the 44 mag loaded down to 1000 fps or so with a Keith type SWC 240 of so grs will do the job nicely without hammering you.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:58:11 AM »

Its the # 1 best round for one shot stops on humans up to 300 + lbs hyped up on drugs and worked up, it should work quite well on 150 lb deer standing still if a good shot is made .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:33:50 AM »

hot 357 = mild 44mag
approx. = recoil = power

357 shoots flatter more velocity.... but has BIG muzzle blast
44 milder report more bullet mass....but more bullet drop at distance

you have both....so go to the range and make a choice
and in my case i use ear plugs at the range BUT NOT HUNTING

i think the 44 is just a little better
i think the 357 will work fine

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:39:01 AM »

180 or 200 gr bullets , all things equal the 357 bullet should penitrate deeper than a 44 bullet of equal weight. It should have a better BC . The same model gun with same bbl length should weigh more in 357 . So whats not to like ?

45-70.gov · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2011, 06:15:32 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on August 30, 2011, 05:39:01 AM

180 or 200 gr bullets , all things equal the 357 bullet should penitrate deeper than a 44 bullet of equal weight. It should have a better BC . The same model gun with same bbl length should weigh more in 357 . So whats not to like ?

180 grain 357 @ xxxx fps == 180 44 mag @ xxxx fps

one pentrates better and flies through the air better
one transfers energy better

the original posters has both in the big frame smith......
maybe he will go out and report

i have matching handis in both caliber and a chrony
think i will test the theory

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2011, 09:34:33 AM »

Its not theory it physics (sp ?) No doubt the 44 with a larger frontal area will have more surface impact and inital wound channel size. The 357 will get there faster with a flatter flight and go deeper if there is a target where all the energy can be used up and remain in the target. Recoil in the heavier gun should be less . The noise will be greater in the 357.
I doubt with a good bullet say an XTP that either bullet will show much difference on W T Deer. The beauty of the 44 is when you go to heavier bullets that can't be shot in the 357 mag.
I watched 357 mags knock over 56 LB rams as well as 44 mags until it got cold and the feet would freeze to the stand the the 44 with a heavier bullet left the 357 in the dust.

Fire Fox · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:43:51 PM »

I have dispatched a few deer with an L frame 357 smith pistol using the 358429 bullet and the 180 gr jacketed hollow points behind a healthy dose of H110 and mag pistol primers. I have always tried to stay inside 75 yards and be very careful about shot placement. I have had the best results by breaking the shoulders if I can or through the lungs or heart with complete penetration. Lately I have been using the LBT 180 gr cast bullet with great results. This and the other bullets also worked on hogs of normal size ( under 200 lbs) but not in the shoulder and not in male hogs because of the shields. It is like anything shot placement is critical and you have to be willing to pass up a shot if it is not right. I have also dispatched several 200 to 250 lb hogs with a 22 LR pistol with an ear shot at close range again shot placement critical and the 22 shots were not under dangerous situations. Hope this helps.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:10:40 PM »

When I was younger, I preferred a .357 for hunting. Now I know the .44 Special works better, much better, even at its slower velocity. I don't miss the flash and blast of a .357 at all. Even better is the 45 Colt and a hardcast flat nose bullet.

tatonka · « **Reply #21 on:** September 14, 2011, 03:01:45 AM »

I've taken whitetail with a 357 using 158 & 180 gr JHP bullets. I have also taken them with 44 specials shooting 180 gr & 240 gr bullets around 1000 fps. Took a nice fat doe one morning at 35 yards with a 44 special 240 gr JHP traveling at 900 fps. She dropped like a rock. Good shooting.

Missionary5155 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2011, 05:01:39 AM »

Good morning
Shot placement and a good exit wound are going to be very helpful... unless you have some tracking dogs handy. For me I will always opt for a heavy bullet (180gr in .358) and enough velocity to be sure it will exit at my realistic accuracy distance. If I cannot hit a 3" circle everytime at 50 yards from numerous shooting positions then I will just get closer. If I am going to sit in a tree stand then I will practice from a tree stand.
Mike in Peru

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 15, 2011, 05:45:15 PM »

Indeed the 357 Mag will kill deer, shot placement is key, but as others have said, I would use a 44 Special with a good soft pont bullet or a hard cast. I have kill a number of deer with a 158 gr. soft point bullet from my 357 Mag, but a bigger hole lets out more blood. Good luck and have fun hunting.

RMc · « **Reply #24 on:** October 09, 2011, 08:55:18 PM »

180 grain .357 with a .280" meplat at 1200 fps. (WFN)
250 grain .429 with a .280" meplat at 1200 fps. (Original Keith)

Both will completely penetrate a deer from any angle at handgun ranges.

Both kill quickly.

Good Hunting.

Mohawk · « **Reply #25 on:** October 12, 2011, 10:01:40 AM »

.357 Mag does fine. I have spent too many hours in the field and too much money at the deer processors to say different (: I know the .38 is taboo, so I will stay off of that one even though I think it is fine. That is MY assesment, that's all. Enjoy the .357, it is a good game getter......

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** October 13, 2011, 11:15:17 AM »

The 38 was fine until the 357 which was fine until the 44m which was fine until the 454 c which was fine until the 500S&W .

The 30-30 was fine until the 3040 then 3006 the 300 win mag on and on.

Advertising plain and simple .

gr8ful · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2011, 05:04:25 PM »

not my favorite round for deer hunting, but it will do the job. go with the heavier bullets.

bubbinator · « **Reply #28 on:** October 22, 2011, 08:30:16 PM »

My favorite 357 load uses H110/ww296 powder, CCI or Rem SP Mag primers and a Sierra 140gr. JHC bullet. That load(see Speer #8 Manual) has worked just fine for out of a M66 6" S&W and a Marlin 336 rifle. My shots were all less than 100 yds from stands/blinds on calm deer standing broadside. None fell out of my sight from the blind. BTW-someone mentioned the 44s using a 180gr bullet. Same story-Sierra 180gr JHC (jacketed hollow cavity-a pear shaped hole in the bollet-bigger inside than at nose) they really performed well for over the last 41 yrs of loading them! Same powder/same Manual.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #29 on:** October 31, 2011, 07:33:51 AM »

what he said!! Just load down your 44 to something like a 250 cast bullet at 900 fps and go out and hunt about anything in the US without feeling undergunned short of grizzly bear. It will have less recoil alot less muzzle blast and put down game better then any 357 load.

Quote from: 300grJHP on August 24, 2011, 02:40:13 PM

I think you'll experience less recoil from a 44 special than 357 mag. I also believe that a 240 gr swc or wfn cast 44 special loaded up to about 900 fps will be as good as any 357 load on deer out to 50 yards.