[c01]

357 is not marginal for deer. Keep your shots vital and the deal is done.

D

[CanyonMan]

OP, I assure you that a 4" smith with 180gr JSP's or 180gr HC or 200gr HC bullets all work well, and kill deer in 357mag. One of mine is a 4" Smith 686.

Go have a good time and shoot straight. Dang, they even work great out of the 3" Ruger SP101 with 180 HC bullets. (my hand loads).


Good hunting!


Edited because of lead weight typo's...






CM

[noway]

ditto

i would stay away from a JHP and us a JSP or better yet a nice lead WFN bullet since this is a revolver.

http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/stor...tshow&ref=deer

[freakshow10mm]

.357 is perfectly fine for deer. I suggest a 180gr WFN cast bullet. If you are a handloader and need a few to load, I can cast some for you.

[Remington 870]

Even in new york wich has tons of stupid laws/regulations we can use any center fire hand gun. thats saying something about other states! lol

[countrygun]

Originally Posted by Remington 870

Even in new york wich has tons of stupid laws/regulations we can use any center fire hand gun. thats saying something about other states! lol

I would certainly say that allowing people to use a .32 acp is a sign of intelligence

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by Remington 870

Even in new york wich has tons of stupid laws/regulations we can use any center fire hand gun. thats saying something about other states! lol

I wonder if anyone has been successful with a 25ACP

[countrygun]

Originally Posted by RWBlue

I wonder if anyone has been successful with a 25ACP

It's really a better varmint round. It's OK for women and young shooters with an experienced hunter along who has a .32 in case it gets nasty.

[K.Kiser]

We have that same regulation here in louisiana, and something needs to be done about it... There should be a little more effort put into deciding what is acceptable and what isn't... Let's just think that a pocket .25/32acp is legal with a 2.5" barrel, but a 20" .22 long rifle is illegal -- ridiculous...

Now back during hard times of my previous generations, many of my elders in their younger years would skirt the edges of their own large vegetable/fruit gardens with a light and pop deer with .22 caliber rifles... This was for meat obviously, but also to protect the decimation of the harvest and these shots were mostly less than 50 yards and straight to the head... These earlier generations grew up with rifles in the hands from grade school, were very good marksman... Ammunition wasn't plentiful and not wasted, and from what I've been told the shot-to-kill ratio was nearly 100% given the scenario and advantage to the hunter...

The only saving grace is that the vast majority of hunters here use a solid choice of caliber on their own accord, which leaves most of the wounding threat coming from lack of marmanship and judgement that can't be regulated I'm afraid...

[Bren]

Originally Posted by RWBlue

I wonder if anyone has been successful with a 25ACP

I know of a guy who killed one with a .22 LR pistol, according to all sources (poaching, out of season, close range). We used to kill hogs with a single shot, 22 rifle. In Africa they kill elephants with AK's and FMJ ammo. Any caliber will do at close range, against something standing still.

My cousing who killed one with a 4" .357 used all his ammo (12 rds) - about the same way they kill the elephants with AKs.

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by Bren

I know of a guy who killed one with a .22 LR pistol, according to all sources (poaching, out of season, close range). We used to kill hogs with a single shot, 22 rifle. In Africa they kill elephants with AK's and FMJ ammo. Any caliber will do at close range, against something standing still.

My cousing who killed one with a 4" .357 used all his ammo (12 rds) - about the same way they kill the elephants with AKs.

Having seen deer killed with a 22LR, I will tell you shot placement is key.

I don't think it can be done with any 25ACP I know of without just unloading into the deer.

[countrygun]

Originally Posted by RWBlue

Having seen deer killed with a 22LR, I will tell you shot placement is key.

I don't think it can be done with any 25ACP I know of without just unloading into the deer.

I have a .22 right at hand here that has killed more deer than any other gun I have ever laid hands on. It fed my family during the depresssion.

Night, flashlight, shot placement.

I don't recommend the method nor do I practice it myself.

I still wouldn't try it with a .25. Although I have always though a .32acp carbine would be kinda cool

[Sr. Bang Bang]

I've been on the road for business, so I haven't checked this thread in awhile. Thanks for all the additional input. I'll reload some JSP and head to the range before gun season.


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[TexasVine]

357 mag is plenty. Shot placement is key just as it is for most rounds. Practice is your best friend. Learn your limits and stay within them and you'll be fine.

[1smoothredneck]

In my experience, .357 Mag is excellent deer medicine. I would limit my ammo selection to 158grain softpoints, and make sure any shots were well within my capabilities with the wheelgun, and then wrap the backstrap medallions in bacon, skewer with a toothpick, and grill till perfection!
Many hollowpoint designs will kill fine, but will not exit, leaving you with slight, to nonexistent blood trail. Good Luck.

[bambikilr]

I don't know if you reload or not, but they offer bullets in 170 & 180 grain as well...I use a JSP 158 for deer in Oklahoma just fine, but I don't shoot past 50 yards. I would not use a hollow point ( I have, and deer died, but long trail and didn't pass through) just my experience...good luck & as mentioned, shot placement is key

[nec7890]

One of my best friends uses an 8" Dan Wesson with a scope for whitetails. Shooting 158 grn hp's. Says they never go more than 30-40 yards.

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[akbound]

If you've been a responsible and successful bowhunter you should have no problems with using the .357 Magnum for whitetails. Stick with 158 grain or heavier loads and keep your range under 100 yards (or the range you can consistently keep all your shots on a paper plate), whichever is less!

Also try to stick to broadside or mildly quartering shots, (no steeply quartering or lengthwise shots)!

[K.Kiser]

I agree with this above... Treat each shot as if you were shooting and arrow, but with the option of double the distance if the shot is clean and ideal..

[minnshooter]

My deer hunting tomorrow will be done with a 6" S&W 686. I am using Federal 180 grain hard cast hunting loads.

[PrecisionRifleman]

Use the 357, and be ready to potentially need to make a follow up shot. I've taken a doe @ 50 yards with a 180gr XTP 10mm pushing the bullet along at 1300fps. I figure you can get the job done with the 357 Mag and a hot loaded 158 SP so long as you make a good hit on the vitals.

Handgun hunting is fun, and is a rich hunting experience when you make your first harvest with one. I've been debating on whether I want to get a 44 Mag, or 454 Casull for a dedicated hunting revolver. I figure I can load them down for practice or just use 44 specials or 45LC's depending on what I end up with. I think I'd really prefer the 454 Casull, but handloading components are so much cheaper for the 44Mag....

[ss30378]

Originally Posted by RWBlue

Having seen deer killed with a 22LR, I will tell you shot placement is key.

I don't think it can be done with any 25ACP I know of without just unloading into the deer.

http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubb.../105287/page/1

How about a bear with a .25???

[countrygun]

Originally Posted by ss30378

http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubb.../105287/page/1

How about a bear with a .25???

I can introduce you to more than one person around here who has killed balck bear with a .22

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by ss30378

http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubb.../105287/page/1

How about a bear with a .25???

I find it interesting that they don't talk about how it was done. Did the person unload into the bear and it died hours later, or right away.