357 magnum handi 1 whitetail 0

[dowby77]

Last nite I christened the 357 magnum with some whitetail blood 154 yards with a 158 grain Federal Fusion cartridge with an old redfield wide view fixed 4x scope that was bought new in 1964 and never put on a rifle until the 357 handi.It put the smack down on a decent sized 3 year old doe.I hunt out west and the normal shot we take is around 350 yards so this year I decided to make it challenging and go with the mag.Boy was I excited when the solid thump of that bullet was heard.I will try to figure out how to post a pic so you can all share my joy,by the way I wouldnt be surprised if that combo wouldnt take out an elk at 150 yards.I feel like a kid again with that being my first kill with a pistol caliber round,maybe next year I will have to actually use my revolver

[dlariscey]

Congrats and Damn fine shooting there.

[Austinite]

Congrats on a fine shot with a 357 rifle.

[dowby77]

here is the picture and thanks

[Spanky]

Looks like good eatin' to me.
I'm pickin' up my 357maggie tomorrow morning from the shop and I plan on using it this season.
The 32-20, 30-30, and 357mag Handi's are gonna be fighting over who goes out on the first day.
They'll all get a chance.



Spanky

[Doublebass73]

Nice shootin'!! Thanks for sharing, it's nice to hear about a 357 Mag taking a deer at that distance.

[Spanky]

Nice shootin'!! Thanks for sharing, it's nice to hear about a 357 Mag taking a deer at that distance.

According to gun mag writers and the guys with "magnumitis" the bullet should have bounced off the deer at that distance.
The rest of us know that just ain't the case.   Good shootin' buddy.



Spanky

[dowby77]

I was overly impressed with the federal fusion bullet. It actually broke the shoulder completely and single lunged the deer.It was a quick kill to say the least,she ran about 20 yards to the brushline and tumbled over in a heap.I love that combo of 357 mag and those fusions.

[zoner]

good post and good shootin. Did you get an exit hole?

[Doublebass73]

Nice shootin'!! Thanks for sharing, it's nice to hear about a 357 Mag taking a deer at that distance.

According to gun mag writers and the guys with "magnumitis" the bullet should have bounced off the deer at that distance.
The rest of us know that just ain't the case.   Good shootin' buddy.



Spanky

Yep, those of us who actually use these calibers in the field know what they can do.

[Lon371]

 Nice job. Are you using reloads or factory ammo?

Lonny

[petemi]

A wonerful and memorable hunt. Good going.

I haven't had the opportunity to use my .357 Maxi on deer, with either mags or maxis.  The Maximum blew a large woodchuck almost in two....quite impressive.  The only reason that was fired was because it was a now or never, and that's what was in the chamber.  A .38 would have done the job.

The thing that really bugs me is that you can get all kinds of data on pistol calibers in pistols, but precious little information on pistol caliber loads for rifles.  They are totally different.  Even if you shop the big guys on line, you've got to look under handgun ammo if you want any of the pistol calibers.  It's as if nobody ever made a rifle to shoot them.

Just old and crabby,

Pete

[flinthead]

Cool deal... congrats!

[spikehorn]

Congrats! you beat my distance with 357 mag mine was 134 yards double lung and blew his drivers side shoulder out Dropped right there. it was with win white box 125gr jsp

[dowby77]

I was using the factory federal fusion load not handloads and No i didnt get an exit hole the bullet had to have stopped inside the chest cavity because there was only damage to the entrance side of the ribcage,plus that bullet completely desentigrated the front shoulder.none of the bullet was recovered either.Unfortunately I hit a little to far foreward and nailed the shoulder instead of right behind it.She was walking left to right and I was losing shooting light fast,I thought she was taking a step when I shot but she had actually stopped so the bullet hit right where I was holding.oh well that front shoulder will now be burger or sausage,mmmmm mmmm I cant wait,I love grain fed whitetail

[dowby77]

Oh Man had some of those backstraps for dinner and oh yeah the hard work was definately worth it.