After reading through many posts here over the last few days, it seems a majority here use the 44 mag for deer hunting. After handling many guns at Gander Mountain and looking around a bit (not real long...kinda got the itch) I found a pretty nice 357 Dan Wesson in the local paper. Some haggling later it is now sitting here in front of me.
I know the 44 is preferred and I intend to buy one of those next year, what factory loads have you used for deer hunting.

I approach handgun hunting like I approach archery. Get in close, in the thick stuff. If I shoot more than 30-40 yards it would surprise me.

6 inch gun, with open sights.

Thanks

If you have a little time of weeks before your hunt I'd recommend these: http://shop.reedsammo.com/product.sc?categoryId=39&productId=736

The 357 Mag is quite capable if you hit 'em in the right spot and stay within reasonable range. I don't use a 44 mag, rather I use the 41 mag and the 45LC in my hunting revolvers. The benifit of the 44 mag is the availability of stout loads over the counter, which doesn't concern me. A well placed shot will do more good than just a bigger bullet, so practice and practice more.

I used a 180 grain Federal cast core bullet followed by a Winchester supreme partition gold 180 grain jacketed hollow point last year. I could not decide one over the other so I used both. I lead with the cast core and followed it with the hollow point all the way around the cylinder (leaving one chamber empty for safety). The doe came in broadside at about 40 yards. I jerked the first shot and the flat nose cast core bullet hit her high on the rear hip. She took two full steps away from me, but didn't run right away. I had enough time to pull the hammer back and send a hollow point at her. She jumped and then did a 180, showing my a fist sized exit wound just behind the front should. The second shot must have been a little to far back for a lung shot because it took her a little while to expire, but that hollow point really impressed me. The Winchesters are hard to find. I have received different claims from two sporting goods stores. Bass Pro here claims Winchester discontinued the line, but I have a local sporting goods store where the guy says he can order me a box. I shot her with the 6 inch smith in my avatar. Good luck this year and Welcome to the web site.

Howdy Mr. Boss. W/the 357 a little expansion is good provided you get good penetration (archery). I don't trust vanilla design hollow points myself. Those CastCores will penetrate length wise so you don't have to worry about angle. But, they won't expand. The Winchester Partitions, Speer 170 Gold Dots, & Cor Bon 180's should do it for you. Doubletap, Grizzly, & Buffalo Bore all have good stuff as well.

I'd go with the Winchester 180gr Partition Gold factory ammo or reload the Nosler Partitions yourself.

Hi there Hunlee hear!!!!!!Hunlee has ben thinking about thsi an has come to the conclussion the 357mag wood be ok for deer if you were to send a bullit onthrough heart an lung!!!!!!Then HUnlee got to thinking why wouldnot this work??????


hunlee

Wish it was legal in Colo, to hunt with .357 mag. I have had so many instances where I could have used it insteed of a rifle. That just means I'll just have to get a 45 l/c

Lars

Thanks for the link above. That round looks like the ticket after doing some research. Just went to the range yesterday and shot a box of 38 specials to get a feel for things. The gun shoots well, but the cylinder gets stucks on one of the advances. I will clean it and have a smith go over it to get it ready for the season.

I have shot many nice bucks with the rifle and bow, I am excited to put one on the wall with a handgun.

Thats a good problem to have.

If you can put a .357 bullet of 158 grains ,or heavier, through both lungs of a whitetail you will harvest your deer. Just remember what Doug Wesson took with the original S&W 357 back when the gun was first made in the '30`s....shot placement with a 357 handgun is key (just as it is with any other caliber)when hunting your whitetail. Good luck and make sure to post pictures
when you take your deer. James