Short barrel for deer

[canoe13]

Hey Guys, What do you think of  deer hunting with a 357 BH with a 4.65 inch barrel?  Where I hunt I can not see much  beyond 75 yards so shots would be quite close.  I have a 6.5 inch BH that I might cut down and and install a fiber optic front sight with a One Hole peep on the rear.  Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks, canoe 13

[anachronism]

Outside of a bit more portability, I don't see much advantage to shortening the barrel. Unless of course, it's just because you want to. A set of Williams Firesights are worth looking into too.

[tacklebury]

Shouldn't be an issue.  I use a blackhawk with a 5.5" and hit the gong consistently at 75 yards.  I know several people have guns I've seen with Smith barrels put on Blackhawks to get the switchable sights.  Also, if you're willing to pay a small charge for smithing, Weigand makes a really nice solder-on front sight base that takes interchangable blades. 
 
The ruger one is about 1/2 way down the page: http://www.jackweigand.com/interfs.html

[Ladobe]

Back in the late 70's early 80's or thereabouts I killed 4 mule deer bucks with an Old Model BH 4 5/8" 357MAG I carried along with my Ruger 77R 270Win for a couple of years in the high Rockies...
...a nice 3X4 out about 85-90 yards standing broadside was no problem with one shot.
...a big 4X4 a little beyond that range, a head on shot coming straight at me from slightly uphill high brisket that was also well placed, but it took a short track and a finishing shot (only because I didn't wait long enough to track).   
...two 2X3's about 15-20 yards when I almost steeped on them in a day bed, one heart shot, the other both lungs.   A two for one. 
 
I would have been shooting 158gr bullets, but I don't remember which exact one.
 
Carried Ruger SBH 44MAG's (7 1/2" & 10 1/2") after that for a few years and shot a few with them, but at longer ranges.
 

[Lloyd Smale]

im not a fan of the 357 for hunting deer. Ive shot a few with them and probably wouldnt again unless it was all i had. I think a more realistic range is 50 yards. Most sixguns with open sights behind most hunters are about capable of 5 to 6 inch groups at 50 yards. You need at least that much precision with a 357 to insure perfect bullet placement and the 357 demands perfect bullet placement if its going to be effective. that said it isnt going to make squat differnce if your gun has a 3 inch barrel or a 10 inch barrel. Acuracy is where its at with handgun hunting not a few more feet per second.

[ceadersavage2]

Don't agree with you on the 357 for 50 yards . My buddie use one on a deer at 90 yards + or - 10 yards from where he shot pasted off there but not back after the clean job 90 pastes. The 180 gr slug was found in skin on the other side ,both lungs gone drop 10 ft from where standing.

[srussell]

the .357 is a good round but like most things there are better choices out there for longer range. just my dimes worth

[Lloyd Smale]

shoot 10 more with it and come back to me when you have a better grasp on it. I once made a drop in its tracks kill at about a 100 yards with a behind the shoulder shot using a 22 mag. that sure doesnt make it a good whitetail round. 

Don't agree with you on the 357 for 50 yards . My buddie use one on a deer at 90 yards + or - 10 yards from where he shot pasted off there but not back after the clean job 90 pastes. The 180 gr slug was found in skin on the other side ,both lungs gone drop 10 ft from where standing.

[Mike in Virginia]

It's not the barrel length that might give you a problem; it's the cartridge.  Just not enough sometimes.  Concerning length, the 4 5/8 is the only length I use.  IMO, it's what carrying a handgun is all about--ease of carry as your main weapon or backup to your rifle.  Lots of folks can hit 100 yards plus with their scoped long barreled T/C's, but for me, I don't see the challenge of that over using a rifle. 
But then, I'm not the most experienced hunter in the woods.  I just like close shots and short revolvers. 

[Hooker]

I've killed more than few deer with a 4" Ruger 357 Speed Six, 70 yards is quite doable.
Practice practice practice
I would still use the Speed Six but it was stolen and I replaced it with a 6" GP 100.
I like the balance of the 6" GP better than the 4" GP

Pat

[222]

I have shot 5 or 6 deer with .357 with 4to 6inch barrels over 40 yrds and never had penetration that I like (inny and a outy). Once bullet (180gr hp) never penetrated at all but broke a rib that took out the lung, had it been in heavy woods I would have never found her but she ran out into a pasture (Sandhills of NE) about 400 yrds away. I watched her and whole herd for over 10 minutes and to my surprise she dropped only after my buddy shot another deer from the herd. Today I use a 44mag with 240gr cast. penetration has been good at all ranges and all angels.  I believe you need more gun!

[Mikey]

There is nothing wrong with your ruger 4&5/8" bbl or the 357, as long as you use the right bullet for the job.  My 357 is a 3.5" S&W and I harvest one or two Whitetail every year.  Most often broadside shots (bigger target, of course) sometimes a frontal shot, but I use a heavy for the bore bullet at 200 gns - Keith style swc over a Winchester factory powder charge for the same weight bullet, ranges out to 50 or so yds. 
 
I don't think you need mroe gun.  Bigger is not better.  If you can't hit with a 357 you aren't going to be able to do any better with a larger bore.  Are there better cartridges - yes, when you extend your ranges and expand the size of the game animal you want to take. 
 
BTW - I feel the 180 gn factory loaded slugs for the 357 to be somewhat underpowered as they are usually chronographed slower than the older Wnchester factory loadings for even heavier bullets.  If you are not reloading yet, you may wish to get into it.  jmtcw.
 

[harley45]

Mikey, Where does the particular bullet come from?
Thanks, Eric

[Gene R]

I truly believe the .357 is plenty within 50-60 yards, and it is my preferred handgun for deer hunting. I prefer my deer to be within 40 yards, thats my comfort zone, 50 is reaching my outter limits. A bow is plenty within 40 yards
Like Lloyd says Shot placement is what makes a diffrence. There are all kinds of stories about stretched yardages, but they are exceptions "NOT RULES".
 
For example the 44mag is capable of killing a deer well past 100yards, maybe 150, but I am not capable of putting the bullet on target with a handgun at that distance, especially with iron sights.

[Mikey]

harley45:  I purchase the 200 gn Keith style swc slugs from either Colorado Cast Bullets (or Colorado Custom Cast Bullets) or, Mt. Baldy Bullets.  Both are the same slug and identical and both are extremely accurate from both my 357 and my 38.  HTH.

[S.B.]

You have some very thoughtful comments on your question, here. My way of thinking is a little off base from some posted here. I opine  that if a bigger diameter bullet is used and the shot is well placed at a competent velocity, more blood escapes from said wound(especially a pass through) quicker.  Causing the prey to expire quicker? Today's killing formulas are woofully lacking. Some even omit crucial factors in their calculation. I am not disagreeing with others opinions here, just my $.02
Steve