This is kind of a "what if" topic I once wondered about. Let's say you have a 357 Magnum revolver and are treating it like bowhunting (20-30, maybe 40 yards at most). Would you be willing to use a 125 grain jacketed bullet?

Depends on the 125gr bullet and the deer. Texas whitetail, sure. Pick your shot

Trapr

I would go with 158gr, no reason other than thats what I have used with good results. I have taken three does with 158gr XTP's, two of them fell within 20 yards of being shot. My longest shot was about 50 yards, two were straight on heart shots and one was a neck shot just below the skull at about 30 yards and she dropped were she stood.

Too light for my taste. The 140 grain XPB is a good one as is the 158 grain A-frame.

I would only use it if that's all I had & then I'd be very careful about bullet placement because there's not much room for error with a light, high stepping bullet, even on deer.

Dick

I took a number of smallish, Texas bucks with just that combo. 125 XTP over a hot load of 2400. It worked great. On paper, it is certainly not ideal and I'd pick something else nowadays, but it was impressive performance nonetheless. If I found myself carrying that load and a shot presented itself within maybe 70 yards or so, I'd take it without concern. Again, these were not 250 lb Canadian border deer. Be reasonable and accurate, and that load can work wonderfully.

I believe one of the 80?s writers for Peterson?s Hunting???,..Metcalf did a write up on the then new 8? Python and used what he could buy at the time which was 125gr ammo on hogs. I agree, not my first choice, but it will work.

Trapr

I've harvested deer with a 357 but it was from marlin lever-action and a 158gr. No experience with a 125gr but I'd use it if that's all I had. I'm sure a 357 mag 125gr. load is as good as a blackpowder load settlers used to harvest deer 200yds ago.

I've taken 6 medium size whitetails with my 4" Python(to get more velocity) and 125 gr. Sierra JHC. One took one lung shot. The others took 2 shots and ran 30-50 yds.
I've taken 6 heavy WV deer with my 6" Python and 158 gr. Sierra JHCs. None ran more than 5 yards.
Damage of the 125s was about 1/3 less than the 158s.
Long winded answer, but you get the jist.

AH NO. As for 125gr 357, my aunt and her husband lived on hunting,fishing, gardening,small odd jobs and the like. the only gun she owned was a Savage m24 22mag over a 20ga. she killed more deer, black bear, and the occasional moose (before we had a moose season) than I will ever see, all with a 22mag. I would still want something else as most 125gr 357 are designed for self def. where the object is to stop not kill.

One of the few deer I have lost was with a .357 Puma Lever with 158 JSP, 30 yard shot, good hit area but no blood trail. Found it with my nose a week later. He went about 80 yards and was mostly under a small rock ledge so he was hid pretty well. I plan to hunt with a red dot sighted .357 4 inch 686 this year but will use 180 grain cast to get a pass thru and blood trail. Bow range limitations.

Hornady XTP .158g FNP is your ticket. Hands down 2x lungs will harvest your game every time.

I've killed them with Hornady 125JHP's (head shots) but I prefer to use 158JHP's for more damage and the harder hit to the boiler room. I use a hot load with 2400.