Author Topic: 357mag or 7tcu for whitetails?? (Read 1396 times)

Frog123 · « **on:** November 23, 2003, 05:46:35 PM »

Which of the above would be the most adequate for whitetails?? I have some doe tags that start tomorrow and I'm still trying to connect on a whitetail with a hangun. They both are wearing 4moa red dot scopes. The 357 has a 6" ported barrel and will be shooting Federal premium 180gr hunting loads while the 7tcu is a 10" contender with a 130gr speer handload.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2003, 06:35:38 PM »

Hands down the 7 TCU is the superior deer killer. I'd sure not have the Speer 130s in it as they are intended for use in 7MM rifles at another 1000 fps more than you're pushing them. I use the Sierra 130 SSSP but the Hornady 120 SSP or the Nosler 120 BT are other good choices. The Speer is much too hard for the 7 TCU. The Sierra 130 is the only bullet I've used to kill deer with the 7 TCU. It works.

GB

Graycg · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2003, 02:02:45 AM »

Concur,
As GB says, 7mm TCU is mo' Bettah. 120 Hornady does a great job too.

regards,
Graycg

Gregory · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2003, 01:16:23 PM »

Two seasons ago I took a small doe with one shot from a Contender in 357 Mag, I shot her through the chest broadside and watched her fall within 40 yds of the shot (170 gr cast SWC) This season took a small buck at 20-30 yds with a 300 Whisper (probably similar to the 7 TCU, used a 125 gr Rem JSP) and shot him through the chest broadside. He ended up about 100 yds away. Both deer were one shot kills but I'd be hard pressed to say the 300 Whisper was better.

Graycg · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2003, 03:19:32 PM »

As long as you can guarantee the shots will be under 75 yards, you are probably right, but every yard after that cries out for the 7 mm. I like the 357 and use it, but not for deer hunting anymore. I have too many better barrels, 357 max, 7-30 waters, 30-30 AI and 308 and 358 Bellm.

regards,
Graycg

Bug · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2003, 02:28:02 AM »

But the 7mm TCU gets my vote too. I also have both, and hunt deer with both of them. I pick whichever barrel that strikes me at the time, by whim alone. But, whenever I am really "in the mood", the 7mm barrel is the one I pick. FWIW, they both carry Leupold 2X scopes. And, if they could vote, there have been several deer in my freezer that would definately vote against the TCU cartridge.

BTW, I use the Nosler 120 gr Ballistic Tip. There may be arguments for other bullets, but our deer seldome top 100#, and I haven't lost one with it yet.>>>>>Bug.

Van/TX · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2003, 01:29:22 PM »

Treat the .357 like a loud bow and you'll be fine :wink: ....Van

4xdakota · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2003, 05:22:12 PM »

Van I right. I have taken 4 deer with .357 at 50 yards or less and only one has gone more than 20 feet, it went about 30 yards.

Van/TX · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2003, 01:24:54 PM »

4xdakota, what is your setup? Cartridge, sight type, etc. Thanks.......Van

4xdakota · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2003, 02:16:37 PM »

I am using a Tarus 669 w/6in barrel and have a 3 power 30mm tube tasco scope (all I could afford at the time but it is very accurate). And believe it or not I am using factory 125 gr jacketed hollow points, remington. Granted I will not shoot ever 50 yards. That is why I am setting up a sbhh .44 nikon 2.5-8

Raging480 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2003, 01:34:20 PM »

FWIW, I shot an average size deer this season, 60 yards, open sighted S&W 686. Remington 165 grain Corelokt ammo. It was hit broadside in the shoulder, and trailed for a few hundred yards before finished off. Afterwards we learned tha the shoulder was absolutely devastated, but the bullet was found, mushroomed, and it never penetrated the chest cavity. From now on I will stick to handloaded 170 grain Speer Gold Dot Soft Points, or use Federal Castcore, and try to stay away from the shoulder, just go for the ribcage. you guys are right about the "loud bow" theory.

Van/TX · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2003, 02:23:32 PM »

4xdakota, that's interesting. Thanks for sharing. I've heard of folks using the 125 grain JHP factory load for deer. Seems like it works fine in your case. Have your shots always been broadside thru the lungs? Have you ever shot thru the shoulders?

Raging's post kind of busted my bubble. The 165 grain CL Rem. was what I was leaning toward. I was thinking that a shoulder hit would do the job quickly. And that round does produce more KE than the 180 CC Fed. I suppose the Fed round would do better on a shoulder hit but maybe not as good as the 125 in the lungs at close range. Guess the loud bow theory is correct.

Short range, broadside, in the lungs. That seems to be the key for the .357. Thanks guys for your observations.......Van

Van/TX · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2003, 03:30:16 PM »

Oops, I was wrong about the KE between the 165 grain Rem CL and the 180 grain CC Federal. They are about the same. I re-checked the charts. 600+ for both at the muzzle. Think I'll try the Federals......Van

4xdakota · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2003, 01:32:13 AM »

I got one wednesday with the pistol at about 55-60 yards. broadside through the chest. It was a nice size cull buck, ran 30 yards and hit the ground dead.lungs and heart were gone. All of my shots have been broadside chest shots. ---------4xd

4xdakota · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2003, 01:34:46 AM »

I drove through your area tuesday and thursday Van, can't remember why though :grin: ----------4xd

Van/TX · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2003, 03:52:46 AM »

That's a long haul to S.A :wink: ......Van

4xdakota · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2003, 05:09:22 AM »

I am actually ging between Kerrville and Rocksprongs on 41