357 magnum for Deer

This is my First post so I apologize in advance if I have put it the wrong place or anything.

I have searched put can not find a lot of info regarding handgun hunting with (deer/hogs) with a 357 Magnum. It seems everyone has gravitated towrads the 44s 454 460, rife cartridges ect.. And i i no way jugest that they are not great for the task at hand. But Years ago before I left home for the Navy I had a scoped TC contender and a ruger blackhawk(open sights) I killed deer with both at least once shooting just whatever ammo the local X-Mart had in a green or white box. Both of those firearms have long gone away , however I keep coming across really nice ruger Blackhawks for sale in 357 and at good price and was contemplating picking one up and scoping it. I hand load all my ammo, so developing a good load for the purpose shouldn't be any problem...

Any input, suggestions , or experience will be appreciated
Thanks

saltydog,

Welcome! I have limited experience with the .357 mag, but what experience I do have tells me it is very capable of taking medium sized thin skinned game. All you need is a quality constructed bullet designed for hunting and place it where it counts. Here's a few critters taken with the .357 mag...




All these were taken with a 180gr Nosler Partition (discontinued) using a max charge of H110. A comparable bullet on the market today is the Swift A-Frame; it's basically the same bullet. A quality wide flat nosed cast bullet would also work. Some have good luck with the 180gr Hornady XTP.

The 357 works fine for deer and antelope.
http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/176215/page/1/gonew/1#UNREAD

My 357 Mag took 4 deer and one antelope within 2.5 days this hunting season. Bullet performance was great with the 158 XTP.
http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthre.../gonew/1#UNREAD

Saltydog,
Welcome to the forum!

What he said!



Just this doe and a 250ish pound boar.

Thanks everyone , bullet choices xtp , cast or swift a frame in the 180 gr range is what I was initially thinking or maybe a barnes bullet ...thoughts?

I've used the 158 & 180gr Hornady XTP with great accuracy and terminal performance so far.

Going to use some 180gr WFN-PB next. Just for science n

I prefer the swift and put it at the top of the charts but my cousin used that new lehigh defense xtreme penetrator with really really good results. It does penetrate but seems to do significantly more damage than a standard solid based on the first use. I think theyre expensive but worth a look.

Placement still trumps all else. Deer aren't particularly hard to kill as long as you do your part and your bullet offers enough penetration to reach the vitals.

Ssltydog,, Welcome to the forum and please do not doubt the 357magnum. Good shot placement is the key. The second thing to consider in purchase would be to stay with a 6" barrel or longer. A good S&W is a lot of fun. 6-8 3/4" barrels yeehaw.
I do have an old 3 screw Blackhawk and can say that they were not that accurate. But let one of the good single action smiths do a little work on that base pin and make it a lot more accurate. Even with no work done to one, you can still be pretty good with one, Ammo can range from the jacketed offerings as posted or go to a cast lead with 173 or 180 grain. Jump in and there will be plenty of help to get you going again.
Charles

Saltydog, I'm here to concur with everybody above. I don't have near the experience as most, but I used a factory Remington 180 grain JSP at 80 yards and it was very effective on a late season Iowa whitetail. Truly, shot placement is key. I can't get photobucket to work or I would post a photo as proof.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

As has been stated, shot placement is the key maybe more so with the 357 magnum.

I used a Dan Wesson chambered in 357 magnum to take this whitetail last month using a 158 grain Hornady JFP at 40 yards.



I recovered the bullet in the off-side shoulder. It retained 140 grains.

Great buck!

Welcome aboard! I agree with all above. I started handgun hinting with a Dakota .357 and then a model 19. Never felt under-gunned.

So it appears that 357 is a great gun for hunting. I have been looking for a secondary gun to take while hunting. My primary is a single shot CVA Optima V2 in 44 Mag. What 357 would y'all recommend for a non-scoped carry/secondary hunting handgun?

Ruger or S&W if you like DA.
Ruger if you you like SA.

I'm partial to Ruger on both counts.

I really like my GP 100, although I use it as a primary and its scoped. Very accurate straight out the box.

I like the GP100. Is the double action smooth on it?

I did a trigger job on mine (stoning/polishing areas of contact) and its one of the finest single action triggers I've felt. I left all stock springs, so they're stout. I've never fired it double action, but I'd guess it's not a competition level DA trigger.

I'm going to go a different direction than revolver in .357 ... will buy the Scout V2. I think it's going to be fun setting that gun up and developing loads for it.

I love my Optima V2. Its in 44 mag and I have taken 2 deer already this year with it. It was my first hunting pistol. It is a GREAT shooter!

Hi salty...357 will do just fine 4 whitetail...
ln 1935 when S&W brought the 357MAGNUM Maj DB Wesson went West
with his, along with 250rds of ammunition loaded with 158gr lead
SWC bullets w/gas checks..0n that trip he killed EVERY Big Game
Animal in North America...Bears, Moose too.. Then the following
year some guy from Argentina did the SAME in South America...
Animals aren't any bigger l hear..
Hunting, Bullets, and Real Estate share a common trait..
LOCATION-LOCATION-LOCATION

This.

I have shot turkeys, coyotes, and hogs(head shots) with the 357. I hit one nice buck with mine and could not find it. I feel the shot was not the greatest but it was a shot that I believe my 44 would have performed well with.
I know many have taken every size game with the 357 but, for me, the margin of error is too small. I try to practice a lot and make sure my guns are always sighted in but its impossible to have perfect shots on every animal. I will only hunt deer with a 41 and up. This year my 460 was my companion on every hunt.
I guess for me it's, "go big or go home."

A .35 caliber hole through the vitals (heart/lung) = dead animal. You just have to know your cartridge's limitations and make a accurate shot to be to be successful.