Author Topic: Would You Take This Shot? (Read 2569 times)

bigvarmnt · « **on:** November 07, 2012, 03:33:08 PM »

Would you take this shot at 140 to 145 yds. with a 357 Max 180 gr SSP?

mechanic · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2012, 04:06:06 PM »

If the deer were still, and I had a steady rest....yes.

Ben

jedman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:40:27 PM »

I assume you would be using a handi rifle ? I would have it cocked and in my scope but that exact angle in the pic is not ideal. The deer isnt alarmed and just nosing around, if you hold off and wait for a more broadside shot he might just just get out of range as he's not far from it now ? The shot in the pic is doable but to my mind you only have a softball sized target to hit and hit in the guts is not good so you would have to decide if conditions are so that you feel comfortable with.
As picture shows I would have to wait on it. Jedman

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2012, 03:07:56 AM »

I'd take it in a heartbeat with one of my rifles. I would not take it with a Handi.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2012, 03:18:42 AM »

I think you would be fine with this shot if you know where/how your gun shoots.

Personally, I like keeping my shots with in 125 with this caliber. On paper, it has the power for your shot at 150. I would choose a bigger gun.

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2012, 04:09:44 AM »

Maybe if wind and sun are so they don't complicate the shot too much.

tobster · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2012, 08:51:11 AM »

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2012, 01:37:33 AM »

He stayed in that same spot for 5+ mins. Would have had a broadside shot for a short time but he mostly faced me and then turned around. There's been differing opinions on the acceptable range of this combo. Have a 44 mag but wondered between the two which would have the edge. I think that distance would be pushing it a bit for both. I'll know a little more when I get to loading the Max and do a little shooting with it.
Thanks for your thoughts.

notfastenough77 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2012, 07:29:33 AM »

i dont have a 357 max but i would with my 44 mag

mcbammer · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2012, 07:42:34 AM »

No. I rather not risk a crippled deer .

8uck5nort · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2012, 08:28:27 AM »

Yes, without a doubt and with my handi. No doubt in my mind, granting the shot is true (calm animal and steady rest), it will drop the deer with 357 max or 44 mag. They have 12 guage rifled shotguns with the right ammo that can do a legitamite 200 yard shot. Have seen it done.

mauser98us · « **Reply #11 on:** November 10, 2012, 10:57:03 AM »

Asolutely not

Lon371 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:18:08 PM »

I would go for it. Might wait just couple minutes to see if stays on the same direction.

You guys that just offered a short answere of no, Why wouldn't you? Just curious.

Lonny

mcbammer · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:40:59 PM »

Quote from: Lon371 on November 10, 2012, 03:18:08 PM

I would go for it. Might wait just couple minutes to see if stays on the same direction.

You guys that just offered a short answere of no, Why wouldn't you? Just curious.
150 yards no , 50 yards maybe. I dont like to take a chance makeing a gut shot.

Lonny

dave29 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 11, 2012, 10:07:51 AM »

Quote from: Hank in Indiana on November 08, 2012, 03:07:56 AM

I'd take it in a heartbeat with one of my rifles. I would not take it with a Handi.

That makes no sense. Please elaborate.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 11, 2012, 11:00:06 AM »

IMO, the 357 Max with the 180 grain SSP is up to the task. The question is, are you up to it? The 357 Max is a legitimate 200 yard rifle. The angle presented, gets pretty critical with shot placement. If you are very confident the bullet will go right where you want it to, take it, but if you are off, even just a little, you will have a gut shot deer or a wound that goes across the shoulder doing just enough damage to wound, but not kill, suffering for months.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2012, 02:36:04 AM »

Quote from: dave29 on November 11, 2012, 10:07:51 AM

Quote from: Hank in Indiana on November 08, 2012, 03:07:56 AM
I'd take it in a heartbeat with one of my rifles. I would not take it with a Handi.

That makes no sense. Please elaborate.

It means that I'm used to shooting 145 yards and it is not a difficult range for my training. It means that I've had numerous Handi's, and they seem to be the rifle of choice for reaming to max, and shot many others and I find them not very accurate. It means that a 180g. 35 cal bullet at 2200 fps is more than capable at 145 yds.

dave29 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2012, 02:47:15 AM »

Hmm, that's odd. I have 2 Handi's in .357 max and they drive tacks at 200 yards. They actually shoot just as good as my Encore in .357 max with a custom MGM barrel. I'm sorry that your Handi's are not accurate, maybe you should check out the FAQ's in the Handi rifle forum, lots of good info.

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2012, 04:59:39 PM »

OK, is this a better or worse angle? I really don't like tracking them without snow or a lot of blood when no snow. How old do you think he is? Surprised he's still here.
I've popped the milk jugs there at 150yds with the Handi with 357 mags pretty easy. The jugs do look pretty big though compared to what I thought was a good sized buck.
If he leaves my trees alone, I may return the favor $:-\$ I've only killed deer with 45 & 50 cal. M.L.s, never pistol carts. Thanks

mcbammer · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2012, 06:24:25 PM »

Im just not familiar with your weapon of choice . So i will defer to others who are.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2012, 11:33:36 PM »

Quote from: bigvarmnt on November 12, 2012, 04:59:39 PM

OK, is this a better or worse angle? I really don't like tracking them without snow or a lot of blood when no snow. How old do you think he is? Surprised he's still here.
I've popped the milk jugs there at 150yds with the Handi with 357 mags pretty easy. The jugs do look pretty big though compared to what I thought was a good sized buck.
If he leaves my trees alone, I may return the favor $:-\$ I've only killed deer with 45 & 50 cal. M.L.s, never pistol carts. Thanks

Thats a worse angle for sure. Alot of bones to shoot thru before reaching the heart/lungs.

At this angle, If within 100 yards, I would still take the shot with the Maxi... at 140+- I would NOT (with the maxi.)

CW

8uck5nort · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2012, 02:22:35 AM »

That angle is still good enough at that range 140 yards for a 357 max and the SSP in my opinion. I have to acknowledge though it may not be a pretty kill and I personally would wait to see if he ultimately presented a better angle and closes the distance to me.

I have a 357 max, 44 mag, and 500 SW that I have worked the rifles/scopes and handloads up for accuracy. I would feel comfortable using any of the three at up to 200 yards, granting a calm, unaware animal and a steady rest to take a shot. I personally would favor the 500 SW due to its sheer downrange energy it retains and the wound channel it will create. I am basing this on my personal experience where I've seen bucks dropped in their tracks with a 12 guage slug shot through non vital areas at 100 + yards. The 500 SW and a modern 12 guage rifled slug are similar in my opinion. On the flip side, I've seen 12 guage slug shot bucks run a mile or more when they were shot at close range into the shoulder area. It's all in the situation and moment at hand.

Good luck and be safe.

Buckskin · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2012, 02:23:51 AM »

That is a much worse angle, first picture is a good shot if you can get it in there. Sounds like your weapon can do it's job, can you is the question.
I would let him go, another year he will be a dandy.

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #23 on:** November 13, 2012, 03:09:59 AM »

Thanks for the info, I've only shot them broadside and have heard of neck shots being deadly. Also that the max is close to the 35 Rem and your hands on opinions give me more to go on than what data is on paper. Real world experience so to speak. He eased into the woods at that spot. I think 243 to 308 would be better even at that range but illegal here. Just want to know what to expect of the max or 44 mag at ranges around here "if I do my part" Shot a big doe at about 90 yds on a straight line to that one a few years ago with a 50 cal ML with 240 XTP in sabot. She tried to run about 20 yds. I've tracked a couple for friends here and there are too many different land owners that become unfriendly. One got nasty when we told him we had one wounded and said if he found it first it was his

If I shoot one here I'd like it to drop

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** November 13, 2012, 05:25:42 AM »

the hornady manual i have at work only list 158 gr bullets for both 357 max and 35 rem . the max , maxes out at 1550fps where the 35 gets up to 2200 fps not close in my thinking . Both were out of rifles .

cwlongshot · « **Reply #25 on:** November 13, 2012, 06:48:34 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on November 13, 2012, 05:25:42 AM

the hornady manual i have at work only list 158 gr bullets for both 357 max and 35 rem . the max , maxes out at 1550fps where the 35 gets up to 2200 fps not close in my thinking . Both were out of rifles .

I read you wrote "both in rifles" but my 10" contender in maxi will shoot 1500+ fps!!! My 22" maxi will do better than 2400 fps with a 158g!!!!!

I think the data is flawed, not uncommon for the maxi because it is and was designed as a handgun caliber.

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** November 13, 2012, 06:58:53 AM »

its right out of their fourth edition so it could be updated at this point. I know at 200 meters my super 14 357 max would knock steel rams over as well as 44 mag's would

cwlongshot · « **Reply #27 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:41:45 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on November 13, 2012, 06:58:53 AM

its right out of their fourth edition so it could be updated at this point. I know at 200 meters my super 14 357 max would knock steel rams over as well as 44 mag's would

I don't doubt you brother! But publishers have been known to do this especially with this caliber because as I said it is a pistol caliber and so few rifles have been chambered little rifle data exists from the big makers!

You can bet you life 1550fps is not a rifle loading.... Heck I'll bet a weeks pay my 357 MAGNUM will do that from that same contender barrel!!! The MAGNUM will do better than that in a rifle barrel!!

of coarse the maxi will be faster.

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #28 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:44:56 AM »

Hey I screwed up it is the 357 mag. not max . my mistake . when you noted mag it rang a bell.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:49:32 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on November 13, 2012, 07:44:56 AM

Hey I screwed up it is the 357 mag. not max . my mistake . when you noted mag it rang a bell.

That splains it!! LoL

CW