Just for the sake of arguement that shot placement is identical and the maximum shot distance will be 50 yards. I would like some feedback on what you would hunt deer with, a S&W 357 with a 8 3/8" barrel or a 460 rowland on a kimber custom 2, 5" barrel? and why?

I can't speak from total experience but I have shot a mulie doe with a 357 and wasn't all that impressed. I have a 1911 project kind of on the back burner since I've been building my 5 shot Ruger conversions but I think I'd rather use the 45 ACP over the 357 but if I push the 1911 a little I can get around 1000fps out of a 200gr + bullet. I have also been considering the 460 Rowland since I have the gun completely torn down and I'm replacing the lower frame anyways so I may still end up going that route or it may end up as a 45 ACP. I was thinking along the lines of the 50GI but I heard they had problems with it on the 1911 platform and now they are marketing a kit for the Glock 21 that is supposed to work very well.

i have taken deer with a ruger gp100 357 mag with a 4 inch barrel. shots where all in the lungs longest was about 40 yards killed them just as dead as if they were shot with a high power rifle. i have also been thinking about trying the 460 rowland i have a 45 that i have been doing some on. i dont think you can go wrong with bigger unless recoil is a problem.

If I was gonna kill a deer with a .357 magnum I'd use my Ruger GP100. But if I was given the choice between that and a 1911 in .460 Rowland there would be no discussion. The Rowland is a hammer.

Given the situation at 50 yards, I would go with the 357.

Thanks all for the reply. Here is the skinny. I will be going hunting with one or the other this year. I like shooting with iron with sights. This of course limits my range considerable. I feel comfortable enough to shoot the 357 out to 50yards. I can keep it in a 5" grouping on bare sights. however i do like the knock down power of the 460 rowland, but I can only keep the 5" group maybe out to 35. I would feel better keeping it to 25 yards.

I guess the real question is. Is the 357 big enough for a quick kill out to 50 yards? I feel it definately has it within 25 yards. But if it's only 25 yards I would take the rowland. I am trying to figure out if the 357 has enough warranty at 50 yards to take over the rowland or do I just take the rowland and keep it at 25 yards.

Take both? And see what happens?

If you are for sure the deer is going to be at 50 yards the 357 is more than capable to do it IMO. I have taken deer with an arrow at that distance!

There's also the bullet to consider. You haven't mentioned what you plan to use for ammo. It sounds like your .357 performs better for you accuracywise at the longest distance you plan to shoot, so that would be my personal first choice. If all else was equal, I'd favor the Rowland slightly, but bullet energy is just part of the big picture.

I would be using 180gr buffalo bore hard cast bullet. It is suppose to run 1375fps out of a 4" l frame s&w. so I am estimating it should run about 1600fps out of a 8 3/8" s&w 587

Estimating is kinda like opinionating, everybody has one. I always underappreciate the claims from any maker, until my chrony speaks.

with the 357 I'd almost rather go with the Winchest Partition Gold 180. If your limiting to 50yds then penetration will be fine but with the hard cast if you miss the shoulder bone or the vitals your going to have a pretty small hole. I just got done giving opposite advice on another post but that was for bear. I think for deer you'd like the Partition but that's just my opinion.

good point. I didn't think about that.

Hands down the 460 rowland......ballistically its pretty close to the 44 mag. So ask yourself 357 or 44 mag??? Plus IF you get the conversion for a 1911 you can always change the barrel back and have a 45ACP OR you could do the conversion on a revolver. IMO!!!

460 rowland, I'm not a fan of .357 except for varmints. I know a lot of deer have been killed w/ a .357, but my minimum would be a 41 mag.