Author Topic: 357mag and deer hunting  (Read 614 times)

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Offline Yel95

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357mag and deer hunting
« on: July 27, 2006, 11:21:12 AM »
I found a 357mag rifle at a local gunstore.  I was wondering what the effective range would be for whitetail?

Offline Datil

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Re: 357mag and deer hunting
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2006, 11:32:22 AM »

 Yel 95, I would say about 100 Yds, MHO.  I reamed mine for a Maxie, I think it's good
 for about 200 yds with  Hand loads. I realy like mine, I think after I reamed it, improved
 Accurate with 357 & 38 Spl. Just my 2 cents Marv.

Offline Mattkc

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Re: 357mag and deer hunting
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2006, 07:25:20 PM »
If you want some good advise on hunting deer with the 357, pm Jerry Lester.  The main thing is to use hunting bullets and not bullets designed for personal defense.  I use 158gr. XTP FP loaded with 18gr. of Lil'gun.  Jerry has had good luck with Rem. 158gr. SP, when I use up my supply of XTP's I'm going to give them a try.  I would stay away from hollow point bullets.  I shot a buck with my Ruger GP100, 158gr. XTP HP,  and it was a bang flop, however when I butchered the deer a whole shoulder was ruined.  The XTP FP's will blow a nice whole through them without all the meat damage. 

Offline Yel95

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Re: 357mag and deer hunting
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2006, 01:29:58 AM »
 yard shotsnks for the replies.  I just wanted to make sure that it was strong enough for 50-75 yard shots.

Offline single action

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Re: 357mag and deer hunting
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2006, 03:15:55 PM »
yell95,
          I do not have any experience with the .357 handirifle (wish I did!) But I do have a bit of experience hunting whitetails with the .357. I own a .357 lever action and I have killed 7 deer with it. all but one were 1 shot kills, and that one was my fault because I misjudged the distance and hit him too low in the chest. He ran off and i waited about 1 1/2 -2 hours before blood trailing him. he had run off about 150 yards and lay down in a brush pile. He was trying to get up when I finished him off with a shot to the neck. If I would have waited another hour or so, I most likely would have found him dead, but I hunt on public land and I'm surprised no one found him before I did. I have also killed several coyotes, coon, possums, rabbits and such with this .357.  For deer hunting I use the remington 180 gr softpoint load. IMHO, for the ranges you quoted, your .357 is more than adequate for the job, assuming bullet placement is correct. Load up, practice often, and enjoy deer hunting with your .357!