my first hunting handgun

ruger gp 100 357 mag





http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/data/500/thumbs/DSC04462.JPG

That is very nice. I started with a Dan Wesson .357. I believe you will like the Weaver scope. I have several on my revolvers and Contenders.
That is a kool looking scope base. What brand is it?

What loads are going to hunt with? I have been shooting some XTP's, 158grn and some 158grn Cast. Both have taken deer.

Mike

the bases and rings are from weigand combat

im still researching on what loads im going to use i have been thinking about using the hornady lever evolution but im feeling 140 grs. kind of light

Nice gun. I have one of them, handles like a dream. I dropped in a 9# hammer spring and she is slick as all get out now.

very nice looking set up,have fun.

nice looking rig you got there mud. i started with a ruger security six in 357 mag. still wish i had it. good shooting.

Nice!
My buddy carries a GP often.
While I don't have one, I have carried a .357 with success.
Factory and handloaded 158gr SP's do all you'll need.
I like those weaver scopes too. VERY clear optics on mine.
The way you have that scope mounted is awesome. I bet it balances beautifully.
Like a little SRH!

nice deer gun!

I recommend using the 158 or 180 XTP's. I've tested the 140 Leverevolution ammo and do not trust it for hunting, expansion was very limited or non-existent.

Federal is your best bet for factory ammo with 4 hunting loads, they have the 180 Vital Shock Swift A Frame, 158 Vital Shock Barnes XPB, 158gr Fusion HP, and last and least would be the 180 cast core. Winchester only has one offering now that I know of and that is the 158gr Winchester X SP, they used to have the 180gr Partition Gold which was an excellent round. If you handload I'd probably go with the A Frame unless you can find some partitions and after that the XTP's, I can't speak to the Barnes stuff since I don't use any of it.

i know a 357 is not that big but how far is it capable of taking a deer?

my personal opinion would be around 50 yds and maybe push to 75 if everything is absolutely perfect as far as a solid rest and a standing deer broadside or even better slightly quartering away.

thanks for the info because i surely don't want to criple a nice deer and make it suffer

your welcome and welcome to the site and sport, you'll find most of us willing to help where we can. Sometimes you'll find there are varying views but that's how we learn. If your like the rest of us you'll get addicted and more and bigger guns are in your future.

looking forward for more articles on your blog Cool to read, worth learning! Keep it up!








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If you read articles of the .357's hunting performance, from back in the 30's, your jaw would drop!

I don't have my Hornady vol.2 manual with me at the moment, but I seem to remember a 158gr .357 @ 1200fps, doesn't drop back down to .38spl's muzzle velocity, until around....200yds maybe?.
"Way on out there" regardless.
Would a .38spl drop a deer at point blank?

The .357 is a very powerful round, is all I'm sayin. You'll be fine.

Very nice. Congrats and have a blast with it.

-Randy