Time to practice a bit before taking my new 44 mag. SBH out in the deer woods so I've decided to dust off the old 6 inch Colt and friend for 30+ years and take it afield.

Ethical as well as practical but then that's just me.

With a self imposed limit of 50-60 yards I hope to hear from you 357 guys that have BTDT and hold in high regard a particular bullet for deer hunting.

Cast or jacketed. Let the games begin.

TIA,WVS329.

I use the Hornady 180gr HP-XTP. I had used the 158gr HP XTP but since I can still get the 180's speed to just below transonic I use them instead.

P.S. Love the Festus quote!

I really like the 180gr XTP

if you could still get the Nosler Partitions I'd go with them but they are pretty hard to find since they stopped production of all the Partition bullets. The 180gr Partition Gold ammunition is the only ammo I've had experience with taking a deer. The 180 XTP should work fine, but any quality 158 or 180gr bullet should work fine. I'm not a fan of small calibers non expanding bullets personally. I see Speer is offering their deep curl bullet in 357 and from what I've heard so far it's a good bullet.

My all time favorite was the now discontinued Sierra 170 gr power jacket, I also used to cast a 168 gr Kieth style SWC that was my favorite deer bullet for years.Cheap to boot. The 180 HornadyXTP is a good one as is the 170 Speer gold Dot. I like the heavier bullets for deer but lots of folks have used lighter bullets with success.
I have killed deer with all those bullets in .357 Revolvers and carbines and also use them in the .357 max as well.
I have used a bunch of different powders. H110/ww296 are real useful for max velocity. But AA9, 2400, 4227, unique and a bunch of others work well also.
Within your stated comfort zone all will do a good job IF you do your's

only have taken one deer with 357mag 4in gp100 at about 40 yards. it was loaded with a 150 cast hollow point deer ran about 30 yards and piled up dead. only gun i had on me at the time was going to help friend with the deer she just killed. i have had deer run further hit with mag rifles.

180gr XTP.... Swift has introduced two new weights for their 357 bullet with a 158gr and 180gr. They are expensive though. Would love to see how the 158ge A-Frame would perform....

I've killed some very big deer with the Sierra 158 gr. JHC. It stays together well, but does expand some. Had complete penetration on shots out to 100 yards. 160 gr. Kieth SWC works pretty good, to.

How about the Federal Vital-Shok with the Barnes Expander 140 gr. slug. Anyone shot a deer with that one?

I currently use the older Sierra 140 gr. hollowcavity bullets but once I run out I will go with a 158h.p. or 180 h.p.The older Sierra 140 seems a bit harder compared to the new ones and I usually get complete penetration on broadside shots ,it does a number on deer!

anyone loaded any of the 170gr. speer deep curls bullets yet?

WV,
I like the Hornady LE 140 gr FTX (92755) round for most up close and personal 40>50 yard range. Although the 158 gr XTP is another good choice ...... Have taken white tails with both rounds no noticeable difference in the two. Both have had the same affect; the only movement was caused by gravity, easy tracking that way.