.357 for deer?

[AndrewBrown]

How effective is a .357 handgun for killing a deer?

 

[Fordtough25]

Not bad at all in my experience! I carry a .357 revolver and single shot rifle, love the combo.

 

[AndrewBrown]

That is what my plan was to carry my shotgun or muzzleloader with my .357. once i get one

 

[in625shooter]

I dropped an pretty nice 8pt in 1995 with a 125gr JHP at about 15 yards. My meeting it at that distance on foot was pure luck and just happened but I wasn't complaining since hunting was my secondary task that day. All I had was a 4" S&W 686. The 357 works well but like any caliber with a deer we have all heard them not stopping after pretty good hits with about everything. So I could shoot the same size deer with the same round and he could run a few steps or yards. You never know with a deer, they can be dead and not know it for a couple hundred yards..

 

[Glockowner]

I got a doe on opening day with my Ruger GP100 6". I was shooting buffalo bore 180gn round nose lead. Went right through like a laser beam, but the shot was good and the doe went down.

Next time I will try it with some 180gn XTP bullets that I loaded over 12.4 grains of 2400 to see if that transfers more energy to the animal. I too carry a long gun for the longer shots, and the revolver comes out when they get to 25 yards. I could make a longer shot, but don't feel the need to push my luck.

 

[Harley46982]

My son and I use a cast 180gr WFN bullet and have taken several with the combo out of both a Marlin and a Smith Model 28. so far none have traveled more than 50 yards.

 

[bdybdall]

About 5 years ago I stepped about 10 yds. away from my slug gun (stupid). A doe came down this path near me, passed me, and then along came another. I pulled a 6" Colt Trooper .357 out of my Carrharts and dropped it at about 15 yds. I must have hit the spine because it's the only deer I have dropped on the spot. The bullet was .357 158 grain soft point. Don't remember the manufacturer but probably Hornady.

 

[Hohn]

From a rifle, a hot .357 mag (read: buffalo bore Deer Grenade) is MORE than enough. It's about the same as a 30-30, only a bigger, more devastating bullet.

 

[roadrunner681]

357 is plenty if you do your your part, like hohn said out of a rifle 357 is a whole other animal, rifle only handloads can be pretty powerful.

 

[45fan]

A co workers daughter dropped a decent sized buck this year at 40 yards with a .357 rifle, using a 125 gr hollow point. The shot was less than perfect, the deer only went a few yards, and died. From everything I have read, I would have thought this impossible, but as they say, the proof is in the venison.

I wouldnt rely on the .357 for longer than 30-40 yards in a handgun, and would certainly stick with the heavier (158+) bullets, but wouldnt hesitate to take a deer with my SW 66, in the right situations. As a matter of fact, I have a SBH (44 Mag) and a Ruger Vaquero 45 Colt that I could take to the woods as a side arm for deer, but the 357 was the one that was my constant companion this year, just in case the right situation popped up.

 

[Amishman44]

My favorite round for deer is 180 grain cast Buffalo Bore from a 4" barrel! It'll do the trick...no problem! I would like to get an H&R in .357 Mag...for the purchase of being able to reach out a little farther (increase my range)...but have no desire to move up to the .44 mag round!

 

[sportsman223]

I load 180g hornady xtp bullets, with great results but there also 357 Maximums

 

[bwframe]

I load 180g hornady xtp bullets, with great results but there also 357 Maximums

Got any leads on where I might find some of these in stock? It appears that Hornady has put all their efforts into other calibers in recent times.

Shameless plug for my WTB add:
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ullets-38-caliber-357-diameter-180-grain.html

 

[ru44mag]

A .357 will work, but a 44mag will kill more quickly. Generally speaking. I kinda enjoy tracking a deer, but not for long distances. So I don't like to take any chances. 240 grain 44mag works very nicely.

 

[Hookeye]

I like the option of farther range and different angles more oomph offers.

 

[ChalupaCabras]

Forget it - you will need at LEAST a 454 Casull to take down that 100lb doe. Just google it - deer are virtually bullet proof.

 

[x10]

All purple aside, I think 357 is marginal due to the hole size, When things don't go exactly right then you get to track a wounded animal. and when it comes to that a bigger hole will dump more blood. Thats simple.

No 2 deer hits are ever the same. It's a complex equation and Accuracy is the #1 factor, Slipping a bullet in where it needs to be is the top priority, but the best plans go bad, assuming you had enough power to go through both sides a nice big hole for stuff to fall out of is the key to finding the game

 

[sportsman223]

I would try a WTB add on graybeard or specialty pistol if you are a member. No supplier I know of has any in stock until hornady catches up nobody is going to have any if I run across some I will PM you

 

[Hookeye]

IMHO, you want to wheelgun deer? Get a .44 mag.
Even then, don't expect magical results.

Like somebody else eluded to.............killing 'em is one thing. Finding 'em might well be another.

Bigger holes help (esp if they go through).