Jeff,
I picked up a .357 barrel about a year ago. It has the newer 8-groove rifling, that isn't near so deep as the older 6-groove.
It won't shoot plain-based cast bullets worth beans (4-6" group at 25yds). Jacketed or Gas-checked bullets are just fine, with 1 1/2-2" groups @ 100.
This past spring I shot a 150-175# hog at about 80 yds. with it. The load was a 165gr. gas checked cast SWC over an immodest powder charge. Velocity was 1500+ fps. Entry was tight behind the left shoulder, exit slightly further back on the right side. The hogs (there were three) ran into a really bad thicket immediately. After a hour-and-a-half bloodtrailing session, I found the hog. What took so long was the thicket, not the lack of a bloodtrail. The hog managed to travel 80-100yds, total.
The upshot of this is, the next time I take a shot with the 357, it will be IN the shoulder, not behind it. I think it has the penetration, and the capability to anchor game on the spot.
I've read on this, and other, forums where the use of light bullets give good results. I ain't going there. I prefer two holes, so I use a bullet no lighter than 158gr. My current choice is a cast 180gr.
So, yeah, I like the .357 for hunting. I would recommend heavier bullets, starting with the 158s and going up. Keep your shots under a hundred, and it should work for you, too.
