deer taken with 10" 357 Magnum,,,results?

[alan in ga]

I am interested in the results any of you guys have had hunting with the plain 'ol 357 Mag on deer. Also what load and bullet used,,,performance on the shot, etc.
Got one,,,and I like 35 cal in anything and can't see why I shouldn't use this barrel for shots under 50 yards [?]
thanks, Alan in GA

[Gregory]

Alan
I took a small doe during the 2001 IL hangun deer season using my 10" 357 MAX chambered Contender.  I was shooting Magnums out of it because the Max does not meet IL requirements of being below 1.4" max case length.
Anyway, load was a Lyman 170 gr cast bullet over 2400 powder, doing a shade over 1200 fps.  Shot deer through the lungs at about 40 yds.  Watched deer run off about 50 yds. make a circle and fall down.  Waited 15-20 min before climbing down out of stand.  Deer was dead.  Complete pass through.  Kill was not dramatic but effective.

[Graycg]

Gregory's experience is very similar to mine, chest shot at 70 long paces broadside bullet passed through both lungs hit and shattered a rib on offside.  Deer ran about 50 yards and dropped dead.  Another deer shot at 55 long paces was hit shoulders and broke entry side and deflected into lungs and bullet was found under skin on offside.  Deer ran 30 yard dragging entry side leg and then fell.  I waited 5 minutes and it was dead when I got to him.  Loads were 15.7 grains H110 and 180 grain LBT bullet. It killed, but seemed on the weak side.  I moved up to the Max and am much happier.

regards,
 Graycg