Hunting with a .357 magnum

[TheStook]

I just recently picked up a 6" S&W 686, and it occured to me that with a good magnum round, this might just be a hunting gun.

Not having much experience (okay none) with hunting, i was wondering what game, if any, a .357 mag can be used on in the southwest.
I am waiting so see if i get to go on my first hunt this winter for deer or elk, will it work for that, or should i stick to the 30-06.

Secondly, if you have hunted with a .357, tell us your tales.

 

[ACP230]

A buddy killed a buck and a doe with his Colt .357 one fall.
The doe took one shot. The buck might have only needed one. It was hit behind the front leg, but it was still up and moving so he shot again and hit it in farther back. It went down then, and died where it fell.

He was using .357 Mag ammo made by MagTech.

 

[dakotasin]

357 will work for deer, and is not a good idea on elk.

in either case, your better option is the 30-06.

 

[sumpnz]

First off, what state are you in? If it's AZ, the draw results are already out (they came out about a week and a half ago). Next thing to ask yourself is, what are actually hunting, and what terrain will it be in. The low desert SW is very different from the mountian SW, and is also different from the high desert SW.

I'd be pretty hesitant to use the .357 from a revolver on an elk, though if I could get close enough (<40 yards), even a large mule deer will fall to a well placed shot of sufficient energy from the revolver. Now, put that .357mag ammo in a lever action carbine and you'd have a combo good enough for up to (maybe) a 100 yard shot on a smallish elk.

Unless you're a crack shot with that revolver, I'd stick to the rifle at least for this year's hunting trip if I were you.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

.357 is on the light side for elk. A small cow will go 400 lbs, a large bull from 800-1000. Even a heavily constructed bullet in .44 Mag is marginal. .480 Ruger or .454 Casull are better choices for elk.

I would think .357 with a good bullet would be enough for deer, providing you can place your shot well. Practice hitting a paper plate at your intended maximum range in all field positions. You are ready when you can hit it every time.

 

[LHB1]

Having tried both the .357 and .44, I personally consider the .357 limited to small game and not suitable for deer. Yes, it will kill one but is marginal and not suitable in my opinion. I much prefer the .44 Mag for deer as it will do the job well. Have used it for two deer and two wild hogs. Elk and other large game have been killed with .44's but I think that is really stretching it too far and suggest rifles are more appropriate. I don't like to use a caliber so small that it greatly increases the risk of wounding the game instead of producing clean kills. Just my .02.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I wouldn't go after elk with one, maybe a deer but you have to really do your part.

A better option if you're in the right area might be javelina. I did a boar hunt with a Glock 20 and loved it! It put a 300lb boar down so I'm sure a good shot from a .357 will take a javelina.

 

[warriorsociologist]

I used to hunt whitetail in WI with a 6" 686 loaded with 180gr hard cast bullets (or nosler partitians) on a max load of H4227. Exit wounds were at least as impressive as those produced by many of my other fellow hunters toting .30-30s. YMMV. FWIW, I stalk hunt with irons only and keep my shots < 25yds.

 

[TrapperReady]

I started carrying a 686 while deer hunting last year. I keep it loaded with the 180gr Federal hardcast hunting loads, which have been extremely accurate at the range. At ranges below 30 yards, I'll use the pistol if I have the chance.

Before last season, I was talking with a salesman I know at a local gun shop. I was debating using the 686 I already had, or getting a 629. His immediate response was "I'd have to recommend the .44". Then he paused for a minute and followed up with "Of course, I've shot more deer with a .357 and it's always worked fine." I decided to save the money.

 

[DigMe]

Deer. I use mine for hogs. People tell me it's not enough guns but generally the hogs disagree.


EDIT: BTW, if you do decide to use it for hogs you need to know your range, know how good you can or can't shoot, know WHERE to shoot it and use good ammo. 180 or 200gr cast bullets are all I'll use on hogs.

brad cook

 

[Gillster]

Like I just responded on another thread, I've used a 6" 686 for the last 5 years or so to take several deer per year here in the Texas hill country. Never had a problem bring down a deer but they are not huge here by any means, tried 180 hard cast and 180 Win partition and settled on the Win load. Shots are around 50 yards or less and I've always had an exit wound.

Chris

 

[Geno]

With all due self-control

My cousin, a previous Air Force competetive shooter and life-long hunter has hunted whitetail deer exclsuively with .45 ACP. His custom-built Llama, with Lasar Cast, sub-sonic loads can (off the bench rest) produce MOA groups. Keep in mind, this guy is THE best shooter I have ever witnessed, bar none! He routinely harvests whitetails out to 100 yards with one shot. But, again, this guy is not the ordinary shot. He shooots even during hunting exclusively off the bench rest...never off hand. For hunting, he uses hotter (super-sonic). The .357 Mag. will easily harvest whitetail deer. Elk? I am sure you could, but I would not. My concern for .357 for elk is not the elk itself, rather what other "critters" one might encounter, such as bear. I'd stick to that .30-06 Sprg. for that hunt. For my own pistol hunting, I prefer the T/C Encore in .444 Marlin or .45-70 Gov't. I have harvested many 550+ pound Russian boars with it...always one-shot, immediate kills. I am giving serious consideration to a S&W .44 Mag. for this year. It would be a real challenge. Thanks for the post. Great food for thought.

Doc2005

 

[scubie02]

I have seen deer taken using a 357 mag, and have to say I don't really see it as ideal even for deer (of course we have fairly large deer comparatively but still). I would definitely recoomend heavier bullets. I remember one year a fellow using 125 gr hollow points and his first shot hit the shoulder, which while if I remember correctly it broke, it didn't penetrate, and he ended up emptying it trying to put it down. For close shots with heavy bullets it will do the job, but there are more humane choices. It works better out of a carbine. I wouldn't consider it a great choice for elk, though it may well kill one at close range.

 

[LeonCarr]

Doc2005,

Your cousin has a custom built Llama that shoots MOA at 100 yards?

I am not trying to say it is BS, but saying that this Llama shoots MOA (roughly one inch) groups at 100 yards, means that this particular .45 will outshoot most scoped hunting rifles and most scoped single shot pistols (T/C, XP-100, etc).

Who built the gun for him?

What load does he use?

Just my .02,
LeonCarr