Another Deer vs .357 post...sorry!

[upnorthbacon]

Just picked up a Ruger SBH in .357 mag.  I really wasn't planning on buying a .357 but couldn't pass it up for the price.  I'd like to try and take a whitetail with it and yardage would be between 50 and 75yds.  I'm confident I can make a solid lung shot at that distance if this gun shoots like my old black hawk 44 mag I used to have.  I'm reading on here most people favor the 158 soft point but I'm thinking a 180 hard cast would assure better penetration on the chance I catch a shoulder on the way in or out.  I can reload and already have dies for a .357, but I'm kinda lazy this time of year and was just thinking I'd buy some Buffalo Bore 180's or something similar?  Would you guys suggest a heavier bullet since I'm planning a longer shot than 40 yds or so, or should I stick with the 158's at that distance?  I only ask because most replies I see around here people are taking deer a little closer and I'm thinking the heavier bullet might have a little extra energy and better penetration.  Also should I be considered with leading in my barrel with shooting hard cast bullets, I've always shot jacketed bullets in the past.  I don't plan to shoot a ton, just enough to sight in and assure accuracy.  My last question is just a curious one about the new leverevolution ammo from Hornady.  I see they make a 140gr ballistic tip, does anyone have any experience in taking game with one?  I don't know if I'd trust it on deer but might be a nice coyote round

[Redhawk1]

If you are dead set on using the 357 Mag, keep your shots under 75 yards and go with a good heavy hard cast bullet.
I know a lot of deer have been taken with the 357 Mag, but personally it would not be my choice.  Good luck.

[hillbill]

yu wont have any trouble downing a deer with that gun. just make sure yu can hit a vital zone size target  under hunting conditions.with about any bullet yu will be successfull with a pass thru lung shot.

[handi243]

158 jsp is a great bullet i think that is what Jerry Lester is using don't know the powder charge. I'm sure this is going to get some blood boiling again 357mag yes or no for whitetail that is. I have taken alot of deer with the 357 different bullets from 158 jhp and jsp and alot of 180 grs. I did use some 180 win nosler part. on a doe acouple of years ago i was using my taurus with a reddot she ran along way with a double lung from about 20 yrds. There was no exit thanks God my brother help me find her last year i used a fed 158 jsp on a doe with the same gun at about 75 yrds drop her shoulder shot so I KNOW it will kill them load up some good bullets and PRACTICE!! good luck

[buck460XVR]

I've taken several deer with my .357 but they were all under 30 yards. That's the limit I put on myself since at the time it was not my primary weapon. Since then I have retired my M1917 and hunt deer only with a handgun. Now I prefer something with a little more reach....

[Badnews Bob]

I shot a 8pt buck two years ago with my GP100 @ 62 paces 180gr hard cast hopped up on a max load of H110, broadside shot took out both lungs and clipped the top of the heart takeing out a rib on the exit, leaving maybe a half inch exit wound.  He ran straight at me and piled up about 10 yards in front of me.

60+ yards total pass thru on the boiler room meat in freezer what more do you want?

Shoot a 93lb doe last year at 25yards maybe a little more smae basic shot but missed the ribs. She ran in a little circle before she piled up, meat in the freezer.

158 JSPs work well to but I have had them stop just under the skin on the off side but if I remember right that shot went thru the shoulder bone first, still put her in the freezer.

I like big hard cast bullets in .357s and .44s.

[Ladobe]

I took several big mule deer bucks with a S&W Mod 19 6" years ago, although all were 60 yards or less - most maybe only 25-30 - one point blank.   Side heart/lung shots, one head on brisket, one a head shot.   All with one shot, although I did have to track a couple.   As said, with a good hit the 357MAG is enough, but I still went up to a couple of Ruger Super Blackhawk 44's (7 /12" & 10") and they extended my range.

[Freezer]

   Using a 357 on whitetails is like using a 243, it'll work but

[Lloyd Smale]

first of all i wouldnt compare it to a 243. A 243 is probably a more capable deer rifle then any handgun round. A 357 will kill a deer with a well placed shot but so will a 32 mag or a 9mm for that matter. I guess a guy has to draw a line in the sand somewhere and i drew mine at the 10mm and preferably the 41 mag. Both are far superior to the .357 for hunting. Now if you really want my opinion its been said before. LIFE BEGINS AT 44!!

[Jerry Lester]

A 158g SP(Remington) is my favorite bullet for deer in the 357 magnum, rifle, or revolver. I've used pretty much everything from 125's to the heavy weights to kill deer into the triple digits, and this bullet has proven without a doubt to be the best compromise between penetration, and expansion under most conditions at velocities from 1300-1900 fps.

It'll bust a shoulder, and exit 99% of the time even at rifle velocities, and closer ranges. I've killed a lot of deer with this bullet. I really wrung out a wide variety of 357 bullets searching for something better, even though a lot of the ones I tried worked very well. I've stopped searching, and as long as I can get the 158g Remington SP's, I'll never use anything else again.

[upnorthbacon]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm going to buy some 158sp and 180 buffalo's and see which ones give me the best accuracy.  I'm still going to be bringing my rifle to the blind but if one get's close enough I'm going to use the pistol.  I'll likely get a 44mag in the next couple years and use the 357 for plinking and a woods gun.  I'm going to try and video tape my next rifle buck, if it's close enough hopefully I can get a pistol kill on camera!

[DCRthe3rd]

The day I went with the 44mag for a woods gun , was the same day I forgot all about the 357, by the way , while I am sure not the most favorite of some folks , I always like the 158gr lead hard cast for my 357 load.

[upnorthbacon]

Well after all the searching and listening, I decided to put a .41 mag in a blackhawk on layaway last week.  I'm still going to keep the 357 for a general woods gun, the only thing we have in MI is black bears and encounters are slim.  I'm going to use the .41 as my deer gun, I thought about the 44 mag but the 41 was the same size as the 357 so they both will feel identical to shoot.  I'll also have the advantage of practicing my trigger control and sighting with cheaper 38 and 357 loads.  Now I have to start over again and look for good .41 factory load since I don't have any dies yet!

[upnorthbacon]

Well I bit the bullet, for a little extra cash I was able to buy a contender in 30-30 instead of the .41.  My shots are likely 50-60yds and I'll feel more comfortable with a bigger caliber.  I know it's kinda cheating using the contender compared to the blackhawk but I'm still hoping to try my .357 on a deer at some point.  I'll just need to be more patient and wait for one up close and personal!

[Cayoot]

Upnorthbacon, I canot fault your choice of the .30-30 Contender...I used to hunt with a .35 Rem in a Contender and it took quite a few deer very effeciently.

However I'm sorry that you denied yourself some real joy when you decided not to pick up the .41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk.

My wonderful wife gave me a 6 1/2 inch .41 mag Blackhawk for Christmas once, and it started a real love affair and adventure with the .41.

Now I own a Marlin 1894 FG, S&W 657 (Mountain Gun) and the Blackhawk, all in .41 Mag.  I'm also in the middle of a project with Bowen Classic Arms, converting a 6 shot S&W 686 into a 6 shot .41 spl for my Concealed Carry gun.

I own alot of other handguns, .357s, .44 Mags, .45 Colts....However something about that .41 just strikes a special tone with me.  It is a fantastic cartridge and will really draw you into reloading and even casting your own bullets.  The range of possiblities is amazing. 

What makes it even more fun is that I have never found a load that doesn't shoot well in the.41.  Most other serious .41 shooters I know say the same thing...it is just a very accurate caliber.

Well, as another Michigander (I'm in the U.P.), if you ever do decide to get one of those .41 Mag Blackhawks, get ahold of me...I'd be happy to help you with your experimenting and load development.  I've got .41 moulds that range from 210 grain to 285 grains. 

It's a great caliber.

All that being said...I'm sure that Contender will put venison on your table.

Good luck this season!