Hunting with .357mag Revolver

[marksman13]

JesseL, I think the stark diffence between a 100 grain broadhead and a 40 grain .22 cal bullet is mass. Not to mention the permanent wound channel left by a three blade Muzzy!!! Don't know that even a very hot loaded .357 mag with a great bullet could match the wound channel and blood loss of one of those broadheads. I could see where even ephilet may appreciate that.

 

[Mannix]

The conclusion all of these "can I kill x with y caliber?" threads come to is simple:

If you have the skill to use the weapon/gun effectively enough to kill the animal in one shot, go for it(if it's legal), but if you can't all you're going to do is make the animal suffer. If you are confident that you can get a kill shot on the deer, take it, but if the shot isn't there, or you aren't sure if you can take it, don't and go get something bigger that will kill it quickly/wait for a better shot. Also, check your local laws before using a weapon that is not commonly used for hunting, there may be magazine restrictions or all out bans on certain weapons/calibers.

Hunt responsibly or don't hunt at all.

 

[songsofreedom]

.357 is way more than plenty for deer hunting!, what are you aiming for, a miss?

Hey Guys, what about a .45 long colt? I think that is more than sufficient to hunt deer with, why would a .357 Mag be insufficient? We're not talking 100 yd shots here, probably out to 50 yards, in most deer country. I'm from the northeast, and my shots have averaged only 25-30 yards at best, with all the brush, you can't see that far in the thickets anyways, so a pistol/revolver makes all the sense in the world, I always felt like a rifle with a hi-powered scope was too much, when I could only see 60-100 feet in front of me anyways. Plus, its more exciting..

 

[dakotasin]

why would a .357 Mag be insufficient?

because it is illegal?

 

[AStone]

why would a .357 Mag be insufficient?

1) You are in the wrong Detroit neighborhood and feel the need for an Abrams.

2) You are in Alaska and are about to become dinner for a griz. (Please see .454C, 870 12 ga, or .45-70.)

3) You have been transported off Earth onto a planet inhabited by life forms 2X larger than humans.

Otherwise, I don't know.

For all other circumstances, I don't feel outgunned with a 686.

 

[Waywatcher]

Quote:
why would a .357 Mag be insufficient?

because it is illegal?

Its legal here. A .357 mag has the power to send a .357" slug through a deer, so how is that insufficient?

I hunted last year with it, but never had the opportunity for a shot.

 

[Triple S]

Yes, a .357 has the power to take deer and hogs, but it is not ideal. I have used a 6" 686 to take both. However, I prefer to shoot a 44 mag (or larger) for either when I decide to use a handgun. The .357 will harvest both, but it is limited to the ability of the shooter. All of my shots on hogs and deer with a .357 have been under 35 yards. I have taken hogs over 300 pounds and deer approaching 200 pounds with a .357. In most cases, it has been specific to the circumstances. When I set out hunting with a revolover, I like the .44 mag (or larger). After grunting a 195 pound buck up to within 30 yards, I shot him once with a 158 grain hydroshock (I did not have a chace to switch out my "defense" ammo to hunting bullets). This is not the ideal load, but it exited thorugh both shoulders and the deer ran approxiamtely 30 yards. There was not much of a blood trail and terminal damage was very minimal. The larger hogs have reacted much different. Beside brain or spinal shots, most have required multiple shots, traveled great distances, and soaked up alot of shots before expiring. Again, these are specific to certain circustances. These experiences have come through tracking my own game or for others. I have followed many deer and hogs into close brush with a .357, but bullet choice is crucial. Yes, I have hunted hogs with dogs and close, brain shots are normal, but beyond that a .357 is marginally effective. If you are too use a .357, pick a large for caliber bullet. It will work, but do not expect dramatic performance. The .357 will work but it is not ideal. If it is all you have, use it and "pick" your shots. If not, pick a larger caliber that you can handle and practice, practice, practice.

 

[qajaq59]

After all is said and done, it still comes down to getting close enough and hitting where you should. Meet that criteria and you wont have a problem.

 

[Big Daddy K]

Ammo

What would be good factory hunting ammo?

I know federal has a 158 gn cast bullet that is loaded pretty hot.

I havent looked but I bet Garrett carries a good 357 hunting round.

I'm looking at getting a used Black Hawk in 357 as a simple woods carry gun while I accompany my boys on fall squirrle hunts here in East Texas. I was wanting a 41 mag in Taurus Tracker but the ammo is awful high. With the 357 my sons ages 6 and 10 and myself can shoot 38s all day long on our little pistol range.

When we run across some East Texas Grizzley's AKA wild hogs the 357 with cast bullets may drop a few in the 100 -150 lbs class.

 

[ZeSpectre]

The "problem" (note the quotes) with hunting with a .357 Magnum pistol isn't the round or the pistol. The "problem" is almost always the hunter. If you decide to hunt deer with a .357 pistol you are putting yourself into a situation where the "buffer" that will compensate for poor skills has been greatly reduced and quite simply the deciding factor in the equation is now the skills of the hunter.

If you want to hunt deer with a .357 Magnum pistol (and it's legal) then go for it. My uncle brought in at least one cleanly killed deer every year that way.

But please don't be a bonehead. Spend the time and effort to hone your skills beforehand so you don't end up like my dad and his single botched pistol hunting attempt <gruesome is the best description I can give>.

The responsibility for a clean hunt rests on the person behind the trigger and nobody else.

 

[priv8ter]

Big Daddy K

I know of some folks that use 158gr bullets. A 158 gr hard cast would probably be okay. When I was prepping to use my .357 for deer, I went with Federals 180gr CastCore...it was the heaviest bullet I could get my hands on.

Yes, Buffalo Bore and Cor-Bon both make some outstanding loads, but I felt the Federal was 'good enough', and even more important, it was cheaper, so I was able to get more practicing in.

While hunting at different times I have carried a 4" 686 with the 180gr CastCores, a Ruger Black Hawk .45 Colt with 300gr SP, or a 5" 626 with 300gr SP's. My gun of choice now is the 626, because as someone else stated, I find the .44 with hunting loads to be more pleasent(and therfore) more accurate than the .357 with hunting loads.

But, with all three of these guns and loads, I felt that any buck within 40-yards was going to be in trouble.

While I can't condone the anger people feel towards people using a .357 on deer, I do understand it a bit. A someone who grew up where the minimum caliber for deer is .243, I almost lost my mind when I found out people in lots of states use .223 or .22-250 for deer. I mean, how irresponsible can you be, right?

I learned my lesson though...in the end, it all comes down to the guy pulling the trigger doing his job and putting the bullet in the right spot.

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Well, you don't have to be like this moron but please don't be a Zumbo. The .357 has taken truckloads of deer quickly and humanely. I've seen it on several occaisions. If you don't feel it's a capable round, don't use it... but to deny it's "enough" is just dumb.

 

[Eyesac]

+1

The .357 has taken truckloads of deer quickly and humanely. I've seen it on several occaisions. If you don't feel it's a capable round, don't use it... but to deny it's "enough" is just dumb.

 

[kmrcstintn]

been pondering this one again...I just don't know what to do; I own 2 .357 magnum revolvers and one has a 6" barrel which is my hunting sidearm...I have been thinking about getting a Marlin lever action rifle chambered for .357 magnum to have a 'matched' set; right now, I have a Tikka T3 in .223, a Winchester M70 in .270, and a Mosin Nagant in 7.62 x 54; I also have a rifled slug barrel for my 12 ga Remmy 870...

for use in a handgun, .357 magnum is well balanced and offers alot in the way of hitting power and controllability; I'm just not sure if it offers enough in a rifle setup to make a .357 mag lever rifle an appealing purchase; I feel that I am well covered in the long gun department and have enough variety to handle whatever I hunt in Pennsylvania

 

[koja48]

There are 2 factors to the equation, assuming the caliber is legal in a given state: the adequacy of the cartridge AND the ability of the hunter, not just in terms of consistent accuracy, but also in terms of hunting skill (the ability to get within range). I own a superbly accurate Python, but when I hunt deer this fall, I will carry my model 57 in .41 Mag. If an appropriate opportunity presents itself, I will use the wheelgun. Why the .41? I am very accurate with both, I have cleanly harvested deer with both, but I will opt for the extra "edge" the .41 provides (more power in this instance). However, if I only had a .357, I would have no problem carrying & using that. I'll also carry a .25-06 versus one of my belted magnums (I shoot the .25 more & intimately "know" what it does within effective ranges - more consistent accuracy at distance in this instance). So long as we, as hunters, hunt in an ethical manner & within our abilities, we can & should hunt with the tool of our choice. Enjoy your particular passion in your particular way, form and be true to your own beliefs, but don't criticize others if their choice in firearms/methods does not align with yours. Remember where we live . . . America . . . we have choices.