357 B$D deer load

[ted]

 I hunted recently with my 357 B&D. Using 24.6 grains 296 powder with Remington 158 jsp. Measured velocity is just over 2100 fps.  I saw a deer (small buck) come out about 90 yards away and took a shot. Saw the buck jerk to the side and then take off so I was pretty sure I hit it. A friend and I looked 2 and 1/2 hours and never could find it or blood trail so I have ot humble myself and say maybe I probably didn't hit deer or had very poor shot. I have just recently started deer hunting and this is the first shot I have taken. I have 2 questions..
     1. Is is possible/has anyone hit a deer and not found any blood?
     2. Would anyone recommend a different/better bullet for this cartridge?

[S.E.Ak]

Its possible to not have a blood trail if hit. The bullet may have blown up on impact,hide may have covered bullet hole etc.

[Redhawk1]

Sure there could be no blood trail, if the deer was hit high.
My question to you is, you stated you are a new handgun hunter, what range do you regularly practice at?
90 yards for a new handgun hunter is a long shot with a handgun.

None of us knows how well you shoot, so it is hard to determan if indeed you even hit the animal.

As for bullets, try a hard cast gas checked bullet.

[Graybeard]

I'm not sure that bullet is up to that level of velocity so it might have blown up near the surface. Still even that should leave evidence of a hit where the deer was standing. It is not uncommon to find no blood for 50-75 yards along the path a deer takes when it runs away after the shot. Unless hit in the central nervous system most do run when hit.

As was said if the hit is high it can take quite a while to begin showing a blood trail all the more reason to aim low at or just behind the shoulder.

A hard cast bullet or perhaps the Nosler HG PT 180 grain would be a better choice for your B&D barrel. I'd definitely use a tough 180 not a lighter bullet for it.

[Badnews Bob]

At that kind of speed I'd like a heavier bullet, I shoot my .357 Max at 2000FPS with 180 grain  LFNGC hardcast. The big meplat on that bullet knocks that water right outta whitetails.

 Just guessing you probably hit that deer to high and I'd bet the bullet came apart, I normally shoot those Rem bulk 158JSPs at 1200 to 1400 FPS out of my ruger GP 100 and they do a nice job on deer at that speed.

[ted]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have been shooting various hangun competitions for 30 years.   These include NRA Conventional Pistol and RIfle and IHMSA Metallic Silhouette pistol which is shot to 200 yards. Decided to try hangun hunting as I have had firends give me venison and my wife and I both like it.The land where I was hunting had woods and fields and potential shots from 5 yards to 90 yards based on deer trails that were there. The deer happened to come out on the trail farthest away but, I felt comfortable at that distance. I honestly wouldn't try a shot at more than this distance as even though I have shot these distances in silhouette competition, I realize live targets are a different scenario.  I had loads developed for the 158 grain bullets and have had lot of practice with this load so that is why I went with it. I do have some of the hornady xtp/fp's but, did not have any practice time with them other than basic load testing. I will purchase some 180's and work up some loads with these. My deer season hunting is done for this year so I will have a lot of time to work up stuff for next year!

[Redhawk1]

Ted, great to have another handgun hunter. You may really want to consider them hard cast gas checked bullet. I have very good success with them on game animals. Very accurate as well.

[Camba]

One time I was hunting with my 357 mag and I shot at a buck 2 times about 40 yards broad side.  By the second shot, the deer took off.  I went to check and there was no hear or blood.  Then I got curious why I missed the first shot with such a big deer.  After looking to the bullet path, I've noticed two small limbs from a branch that had been hit by my two shots.  At that time, I concluded that the first shot was deflected missing the deer by a mile.  The second shot may have passed gracing the deer but the bullet perhaps was decelerated and did not even penetrate or missed by a small distance.  Tha spook that deer and left.
 Have you check your trayectory through the 90 yards?

Camba

[Mohawk]

  If the wound was above the centerline of the brisket as the deer's ribs flow then the blood flow will be inside the deer. Below centerline and you have a good blood trail. Followed a deer for over an hour hit with a .280 Rem, on a high lung shot and it took us over an hour to find the deer. Deer didn't go more than 30 yards. Due to very thick brush and it bleeding inside, no blood trail was evident. Have you tried forming a circular search from the place you last saw him? That works very well when no blood trail is visible.

[ted]

The trajectory was clear. We did two circular sweeps. Looked the entire 64 acre farm over and couldn't find anything.  Looked some on the other land but, didn't venture far as it was not my property. Not the results I was looking for but, will have a lot to work on for next year's hunt.