Author Topic: .357 mag. for deer? (Read 2604 times)

Spirithawk · « **on:** August 15, 2012, 09:45:53 AM »

We can now use centerfire handguns during Alternative Weapons Deer Season here in Missouri. I'm thinking of carrying my .357 J.P. Sauer single action along with my T/C Encore .50. It has a 6 1/2 inch barrel with fully adjustable sights. What would be a good load for deer? Shots would be at basicly archery ranges of 30 to 40 yards max as our woods are fairly dense. I'm thinking sollid nose rather than hollow points for better penetration. I don't handload so it has to be something I can buy and easily find.

RevJim · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2012, 12:43:29 PM »

I read once where Massad Ayoob used some 125HP in a .357 for exotic goats, they can be tough. Most of the guys I knew who used a .357 had 158 softs or HP. I myself, when I carried one one year for black bear protection, used the Buffalo Bore 180 hard cast.
I never shot a deer with .357, only varmints, and I used 125/158 HPs. Someone will chime in.

DocHolliday · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2012, 04:25:53 PM »

Do NOT use HP's. Especially 125's. Good cast or soft points 158+ at reasonable speed will do the trick!
Doc

tacklebury · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2012, 04:51:46 PM »

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/AMM-3160
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/36389

Couple that would work well, albeit the first will kick more due to mass.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2012, 05:50:00 PM »

Thanks guys. I've had a couple friends recomend the 180's as we have an increasing population of Black Bear here and even Cougars. I have a CCW Permit which allows me to also carry while archery hunting. You can bet the .357 will be on my hip under my leaf suit. I hunt to get something to make a meal not to become one.

336SC · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2012, 01:14:12 AM »

Shot my three handgun deer with the my Ruger Security Six 6" with the older style HDY 125gr HP bullets @ 1430fps. All bullets exited and killed em dead. This was done when I could see the open sites and was shooting Bullseye competition with the same Ruger. Knew the gun, knew where the load printed, and placed the bullets where they needed to go. At handgun velocities expansion is an iffy
thing, even with hollow point bullets. I guess todays' bullet technology has improved this somewhat. Today at age 60, if I'm out streching my legs in the woods and carrying a handgun, it's ususually loaded with one of my cast bullets at top end velocities. That way
I can stop any varmint, both four and two legged.
336SC

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2012, 05:02:10 AM »

I have taken quit a few deer with my 357 Mag. I always used soft point bullets or hard cast. 158 gr. and up to 180 gr. works great. I have seen people use hollow points, but I just don't trust them myself. I prefer 2 holes in my game.

sixshot · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2012, 07:02:42 AM »

If you cast your own, make up some softnose cast, you get the expansion of a jacketed HP & the penetration of a hard cast, works great & they are tailor made for the 357 because a little more frontal diameter really comes in handy. I've taken several deer using them.

Dick

RevJim · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2012, 11:45:20 AM »

The revolver I used for trail mentioned above was a little S&W Mod 60 3" w/sights. I had to two hand it to stack them, but one hand was doable. I carried either the Buffalo Bore 180 hardcast I mentioned and sometimes I used the Corbon 200 Hardcast. I liked both for the thump they had. But true, I'd rather use a softnose over a HP in a .357. Plus, if you get a shot at a bobcat or coyote and want the pelt, a good hardcast will work better, IMO. Good luck Pard.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2012, 12:30:13 PM »

Thanks guys, I realy apreciate all the great advice. I think I'll buy a couple boxes of shells. I'll get a box of the 158gr soft points and a box of 180gr and see how my pistol, and me, like them. My J.P. Sauer is the Chief Marshal model which has the beefed up frame, as compared to the other .357s they offered. It should handle the 180 gr well. With the target sights it should be fairly accurate. Most of my shots would be at aprox 20 to 30 yards. I've killed a lot of deer and most within that distance with both bow and rifle and look forward to taking one with a handgun. That's something I've long wanted to do.

.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2012, 06:17:17 PM »

I picked up a 50 round box of Federal Champion 158 grain jacketed soft points today. Couldn't find any 180's. Will try Bass Pro when I get the chance....and a few more dollars in my pocket.

RevJim · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2012, 08:17:38 AM »

My first .357 was a S&W Mod 28, 6" bbl. I zeroed it to hit at 70yds! I shot all kinds of snakes, turltes, mud ducks, cranes, but never any deer or hog. I was amazed at how flat it shot. A 30yd shot is a gimme! ha. I used those 158 softnose for that.

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2012, 01:04:33 AM »

Spirithawk: Plain ol remington 158 gn jacketed soft point will most likely be the best bet from a 6.5" 357. Whitetail are no big deal to put down. I would not use a 125 gn hp slug at all, unless from a rifle. I load a 200 gn swc for my own purposes but since you are buying, go with the Remingtons. Don't forget that the guys who developed the 357 shot most every game animal on the face of the earth with it, so I doubt that Whitetail will be a real challenge for the caliber. Good luck.

kynardsj · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2012, 01:22:00 AM »

Another vote for 158 gr JSP's. If you were to get into reloading there would be a world of possibilities for the 357 but over the counter stuff limits you as far as hunting 4 legged critters.

handi243 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2012, 01:53:25 AM »

The one i have used to kill deer before i started reloading is the American Eagle 158gr soft pts. These are the ones in the red box. Killed alot of deer if them JUST NO HP!!!!!

reliquary · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2012, 10:58:49 AM »

Another vote for the factory 158 SP. At the ranges you're talking about, and for the "occasional" use, they're all you need.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2012, 02:23:17 PM »

About 25 years ago I decided I wanted to shoot deer with a hand gun.... I bought a few 357 mags and decided on a Colt Whitetailer 8".

Nice Sauer! As soon as I saw the pic I thought you had a Herters Revolver! (Sauer made guns for them back in the day)

I was worried about the 125's and went with the 158's. I found complete penetration was there with ribs shots, but expansion even with the HP was "iffy"... I worked up some max loads with a Speer 140HP and H110 powder.. WOW I found a magic bullet!! The 140's had enough weight for good and almost always complete penetration but they expanded!! I have never lost a deer to this combo.

Generally I never suggest a HP bullet for deer hunting as I too prefer complete penetration to "mushrooms". But with a revolver, there is quite a bit of vel loss and preformance on game can actually be improved with some expansion.

I also do not think the 180's are a good choice UNLESS you go hard cast. IMHO, the vented rev barrel will not have enough vel for good preformance.

CW

hillbill · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2012, 02:43:28 PM »

nice gun! i wish you good luck! im bout 60 miles north of yu if i remember correctly.i like the new change in the game laws. we are covered up with deer here.ill be useing my blackhawk 45 colt.i woul;d be useing my blackhawk 357 but my brother will not sell it back to me!
from my experience with the 357, about any factory hunting load will do the job at the ranges your speaking of.i did shoot some factory lead 158 grn semi wadcutters years ago that were pretty stout and leaded my barrel badly. so watch out for that.any heavy good quality jacketed bullet should do the job.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2012, 07:37:16 AM »

Thanks guys. I'm looking for a scope and base for it. Saw a Herters model almost identicle to mine that had a scope so I know one can be mounted. Think it mounts using the rear sight screw holes. Any ideas wher I could find such a set up?

hillbill · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:54:39 PM »

Quote from: Spirithawk on August 19, 2012, 07:37:16 AM

Thanks guys. I'm looking for a scope and base for it. Saw a Herters model almost identicle to mine that had a scope so I know one can be mounted. Think it mounts using the rear sight screw holes. Any ideas wher I could find such a set up?

years ago i put a scope set up on my 357 blackhawk.it was a good quality set up but all it did was allow you to see just how much wiggling goes on with a 6 inch barrel pistol.i sold it off and went back to irons.you may be much steadier of hand than me and have good luck with it. let us know what happens?

Spirithawk · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2012, 04:47:27 PM »

You're probably right. Think I'll stick with iron sights. I painted the edge of the front blade flourescent orange so even my tired old eyes can see it good.

I think this handgun is a real keeper. Can hardly wait to drop a deer with it.

I have a question for anyone familiar with the Sauers. They made a few differant models such as the Western Marshal, Chief Marshal and Montana Marshal. Only the Chief Marshal has adjustable sights and only the Montana Marshal has a brass trigger guard and backstrap. Mine is definitely the Chief Marshal, and says so on the barrel, but it also has the brass trigger guard and backstrap like the Montana Marshal. I'm wondering if this was a mistake by the factory, someone ordered it this way or changed it themselve's, or maybe a few were made this way for distrubution through a hardware store or such? Any ideas on that?