357 mag for whitetails

[Noreaster]

I'm expanding on Smong2000's post. I hunt with a 14 barrel 44mag with a Bushnell 2-7 scope. I love this setup and bought it specifically for a couple of stands where shots are over 100yds. I've found it not so great in the last 15 mins of shooting time where it's been hard to find the crosshairs quickly in thich bush areas where the longest shot is 60 yds and more likely 30 yds and I have to stand up or turn and shoot off hand. I mounted a bushnell red dot on the 44 mag this summer and broke it shooting hornady leverevolution rounds, went back to the scope. I've been thinking about a twelve inch 357 mag barrel and another red dot. The ballistics from a twelve inch barrel gotta be substantial compared to six or eight inch revolver. I'm considering the 357 mag because of state law (limited to 357, 10mm, 44/45 & 480,) and I have a ton of 357 mag rounds to practise with. Has anyone used the 357 mag for short range deer?

[spinafish]

check over on the handgun hunting forum..lots of folks do well with the ole .357 Mag..Its a different cartridge when fired from a closed breech firearm.

[handi243]

I have taken alot of deer with a pistol most all with 357 mag a good bullet in the right spot will do it. Search for post by Jerry Lester he has prob. taken more deer with the 357 mag than anyone here. I think Jerry used 158gr remington soft pt. if i remember correct.

[shot1]

I have used a 10" contender 357 mag to take deer and it does a fine job out to 107 yards which is as far as I have taken a deer with it. I would suggest the 180 gr Hornady XTP over 13.5 grs H-110. From your 12" barrel it should be doing between 1400 and 1500 fps which is about what a 357 MAX will do out of a revolver. If that does not turn your crank you could always have the chamber lengthened to the 357 MAX.

[The Famous Grouse]

If you're buying a barrel anyway, why not by one already chambered for the .357 Remington Maximum rather than just .357 Mag?

You can still shoot the .357 mag ammo you have, but you can also step up significantly to the Rem Max rounds should you choose.  For the small price difference I see between the two (and sometimes no price difference), I can't see buying a 357 mag barrel.

Grouse