Hunting results with .357 mag lever guns?

[huntsman]

I am considering the .357 mag rifle as a still-hunting gun. I would appreciate any input from those of you who have taken deer with it as far as performance, limitations, etc. Thanks.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I haven't had the pleasure of taking deer with my .357 levergun.  But from the way it performs I would say it would be fine from zero to 100yards.  In my gun, American Eagle 158 grain soft-points zip along at 1850 fps which is sufficient for point blank trajectory to 100 yards.

I have a 158 grain paper-patched reload that steams along at 2000 fps which would probably be my choice once I do enough testing to make sure it's reliable.

Limitations would be that it's poor for anything much past 100 yards.  It's probably too slow for running shots that are farther away.  Close up it would probably be fine for running shots.   I wouldn't expect it to be a "Hammer of Thor" either.  I'd expect deer to run maybe 50 yards before piling up.

There is a great advantage the .357 has over popular rifle cartridges: practice.  You can use cheapo .38spl ammo and practice until you are really good without maxing out your Visa card.  Practice on moving targets.  Practice on snap-shooting.  Most guys just take the .30-06 out once before season and shoot 5 rounds from a bench to make sure it hits where it's supposed to, with the .357 you can actually improve your off-hand skills on the cheap.

[Cabin4]

One of the big 3 ammo co.'s load a 180 grain Nosler Partition in a 357 for hunting. I think its Winchester. I know of guys that have successfully used these to take deer in a lever gun. Other loads have worked, but they claim these seem to hit harder and get better kill and wound channel results. Cor-bon also loads a 200 grain hard cast load that would put a big hit on a deer but these are bit costly. Federal loads a 180 gr JHP and according to their rifle ballistics chart its leaving the barrel at 1550 fps and at 100 yards its still cooking at 1160 fps.

I firmly believe that the 357 in a lever gun with the new bullets that are available, will make a very good deer gun for close in work. Its should also be a great starter gun for a youth or a woman who would/may be recoil and or muzzel blast sensitive.

[Prince of Wales]

I have successfully taken Blacktail with my Marlin 62 in 357 mag. Never from more than 50 yds. Never more than one shot was required. I use 125 grain but for larger deer the 158 is probably the better choice. POW

[Jerry Lester]

The 357 in a rifle is a great short range deer gun.

I've killed quite a few with mine, and it's become my all time favorite woods rifle. It just feels like part of me when I'm carrying it. It "really" shines in the thickets!

I'm a firm believer in a good tough 158g bullet with a muzzle velocity starting around 1600-1700 fps. I now depend on 158g Remington bulk SPs for my deer loads, as this so far, has proven to be one heck of a deer bullet in my 357 loads(even in my Blackhawk).

I used 158g XTP-FPs for a long time at the same velocity, and they also work very well on deer up to 100 yards or so.

The 357 in any gun is definately "not" a hammer when it comes to deer. What it "will" do, if you use it within reason, is consistantly put deer on the ground. Most of mine fall within 20-40 yards or so, with the occasional one maybe making it to 75 yards before piling up nicely.

Most of my shots are under 75 yards, with the majority being around 40-50 or so. I have killed deer past 100 yards with it, but I'll admit, that's sorta pushing it to the limit in most situations.

There are a lot of people who give the 357 a hard way to go, but it "will" kill deer cleanly when used within reason. The majority of bad stories I've heard come from using 125g bullets, hollow points, or pushing these pistol bullets way too fast to begin with. If you choose a good tough bullet like the 158g XTP-FP, or a good 158g SP, and keep the muzzle velocity at, or under 1700 fps, you'll get good penetration, and enough expansion(which I firmly believe you need with the 357) to give a quick kill.

[Mirage]

Haven't taken the 1894C hunting yet but I'm ready!  I have just found a load that is a tack driver for my Son's 1st deer hunt in October. It is the Speer 170 gold dot soft point. Best accuracy was with the starting load of 14.8 gr. Lil' Gun and a CCI magnum primer. Should be lethal out to 100 yards  / so. Real pleasure to shoot and is one of my favorite guns.