357 deer hunting

[cdominy143]

I just recently got a great deal on a .357 lever action rossi. But my delima is i have no clue what ammo to use for next hunting season. I am dying to sjoot the thing but want to use a load that is best for taking down a big buck. Unfortunately Indiana laws won't allow me to use my Marlin 30-30.

 

[singlestacksig]

357 is fine for indiana deer..
If you don't load your own, there are pleanty of good hunting rounds out there.. but you will want to order it now to have it by gun season...
I handload with the barnes 140 grain XPB .. have not had one fail to work...
avoid light bullets made for SD, they might open up to fast for deep penitration..

 

[IUprof]

Consider Hornady LeverEvolution

 

[Broom_jm]

Welcome to INGO, CDominy.

Keep your shots to ~75 yards or less and stick to 140gr or heavier bullets. The aforementioned XPB and FTX (LeverEvolution) bullets will do the job pretty well. You might even go up to 158gr XTP bullets, if you start to load your own.

 

[Mgderf]

Consider Hornady LeverEvolution

^ These have taken a half dozen deer for me, in .357. A few more in .44mag, and a couple in .45/70 Govt.

LeveRevolution is great ammo, for short to medium range.

Still, shot placement is EVERYTHING for a clean and quick kill.

 

[kludge]

158gr or 180gr XTP would be my choice (actually I would handload the 180gr myself), or a similar weight (160-190gr) cast lead semi-wadcutter.

 

[cdominy143]

I appreciate all the suggestions now i just have to find someone in my area that actually has ammo.

 

[djones]

Good luck with your search and welcome to INgo.

To start practicing you can probably shoot 38 specials. I'm still searching for a 357 lever gun myself. It should make for a great close range deer gun.

DJones

 

[Redskinsfan]

You have already received good suggestions. I have used the 125 gr. XTP HP in my handload. The deer dropped dead after about four steps both when I shot one with my revolver and with my Puma lever rifle.

 

[Glockowner]

Buffalo Bore makes some very strong loads.

I also handload 180gn XTP over 2400 which is a nice load.

 

[cdominy143]

Good luck with your search and welcome to INgo.

To start practicing you can probably shoot 38 specials. I'm still searching for a 357 lever gun myself. It should make for a great close range deer gun.

DJones

I have seen Rossi 44MAG and 357 lever action at MC Sports for $439. I got mine at a gunshow for a steal. It was used and needed a cleaning. I had my eye on the 44MAG stainless but with a pricetag around $600 ; I sIettled for my .357 under $300.

 

[Sniper 79]

Been looking for a .357 lever gun for years to pair up with my custom Vaquero. I would hand load some nice hard cast lead SWC 158grn.

 

[Hosshauler]

Get the most powerful ammo you can. It will kill them dead but pass through shots are rare with the 357 and deer can be very hard to track. (In my opinion).

 

[wpmason]

I've got a Marlin carbine and a S&W wheel gun, and have been loading 158 gr. Hornady XTP-JHPs on top of 16 grains of H110 powder... haven't tried it on a deer yet, but I've little doubt it would an effective round. Accurate within 100 yards and hits the berm with a resounding thud and dirt cloud. The loading manual gives it about 1800 fps out of a rifle which amounts to about 770 ft/lbs at 100 yards, which is a stretch for accurate shooting.