Scienceguy,...your correct that's the only thing I have against the .357,shes loud.I'm not trying to knock anybody,I of all people have made bad shots -hey ,I'm human,but what I find when someone usually says I'll never use that caliber again,is that they hit the animal with a bad shot or used the wrong bullet and then blame the gun/caliber,...like I said I'm not knocking anyone cause I've had my share of bad shots but I've had far more well placed shots and like I said if I only had "experience,from what I've read" and not actual field experience then I would have had a skeptical approach too,...this is where Dick Metcalf was many years ago and then because Colt sent him on hunts with the python he changed his mind ,results don't lie-and don't take that last word(lie) that Im implying that anybody is lying that's not what I mean,I mean the "proof is in the pudding"!!-john

I killed 3 deer with my 357s, so I am by no means an expert with the caliber. I used 158 XTP on top of H110 an could shoot the round well. Last year I killed a small doe, she dropped in her tracks. As I walked up on her I attempted a head shot at 4 feet....and missed the next round found its mark (funny you still have to aim at those distances). Afterwards my ears rang for 5 hours. Looking at the entry and exit wounds which were small, I contemplated the other two deer I had killed and decided to look for a round that would not be as loud and would make a bigger hole. I am using a 45 colt pushing a 320gr wfn cast at @1100. It has more power, bigger holes, it doesn't hurt my ears to fire sans ear protection (only hunting or taking a walk), and I honestly don't think the recoil is as harsh. The last past is pure subjection but it's a heavy slower push and not a pop. But when it's all said and done the 357 will work just fine.

I feel like these comments are aimed at me, so here goes. I didn't base my decision to go to larger caliber guns for deer hunting simply based on one incident. It was based on several deer shot and killed that showed no sign of a hit and left very little blood trail. The larger calibers seem to do better in these areas. I hunt in places that have very thick cover, so it pays to have a good blood trail. I know a 357 will kill any deer on earth, and do it well. It just doesn't compare to a larger caliber, especially on larger deer in thick cover.

I don't think anyone is arguing that point. Nor do I think anything is aimed at you. All that has been pointed out is the fact that placement trumps displacement, always has and always will. That said, I love to make big holes too ;-)

If they'd start building a 4 shot 657 magnum on a GP100 frame I might stop arguing! Lol! Well hell.....looks like I've invented a new caliber!

Whoo, hooo. A 4 shot .65 caliber. Better go with the redhawk frame!

Shoot, I'd be happy with a 5 hole 41. Or, 44 Special.

Yea I would love to see a five shot special or 41 mag on the GP100 or S&W L frame. The FA 97 is probably as close as we're gonna see to that though. I had a 44 special in that gun awhile back. It shot well, but the grip is a little too small for my hand. It would eat your middle knuckle up with heavy loads. I really do prefer the feel of a double action revolver, but I've just never had one that totally satisfied me.

Great read with a few humbling facts.

The acrticle speaks for itself.

http://www.guns.com/2011/11/17/is-the-357-magnum-enough-for-deer-hunting/

One more...

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=30

I think for the most part that we tend to underestimate the killing ability of smaller rounds. I follow along the line of bigger is better but not always necessary. I would have no problems hunting deer with a 357. In fact I probably would have had more handgun hunting success earlier in life If I would have started hunting with a .357 mag. It took me a long time working through flinching to expect to hit anything past 25 yards. At the same time I had a 357 that had routinely taken coyotes at 50-75 yards but I never hunted with it because I was always told 41-44 were the minimum for deer. It took me a long time to make that step up from a 357 to a 44 mag. I think largely because I was doing most of my shooting standing between partitions at an indoor range. The blast was horrible and paying by the hour had me basically shooting too much too fast trying to maximize my shooting practice while keeping my lane rental down. If I only had the confidence to hunt with the 357 I believe it would have performed fine. I have been surprised by the 10mm and they are a lot alike. If the 357 maximum is good to 200 yards 100 yards with the 357 should be fine.

I, too, agree that the 357 is an effective deer round. However, I have never used it. While bigger is never worse than smaller (with regard to the diameter of projectiles), the most important factor is "where you place the shot." I would much rather see someone use a 357 that they shoot well, rather than a 475 or 500 that they do not shoot well.

I had the experience this past weekend of assisting in looking for a catalina goat that was shot with a 375 JDJ. It was hit before noon on Saturday and we found it Sunday morning --- still alive. The original hit broke the near shoulder (barely) and angled forward and down. The exit was at the base of the neck * brisket. Nothing vital was hit. Everyone on this forum understands the power and reputation of the 375 JDJ. But if the bullet does not go where it should, it will not kill even a small goat.

Says it all....

Your right, it does!


I am not trying to tell you that the 357 Mag is THE round, just that it has a little more merit than most give it credit. Nothing makes up for shot placement, however, I think both articles give clues to the 357 Mag's fading in popularity AND ability. Just like the 44 Mag, 357 Mag ammo isn't as potent as originally loaded or designed. Buffalo Bore Ammo also has comments about 357 ammo. Hand loaded ammo makes factory ammo seam anemic to today's standards.

Duane

Good articles! I'm sure a good handload would make all the difference.

I recently purchased a 357 mag. 6" Ruger GP 100. It is the most accurate pistol I have ever owned with iron sights @ 100 it groups 6 rounds that can be covered with a coffee cup. I prefer it over my 44 mag. 10.5" SBH. Next Deer Season the 357 will be getting the nod with 180 grain hard cast from Buffalo Bore!

Doesn't matter whether it's an arrow or a bullet, I try to place it a little less than midway up, behind the shoulder. I hunt mostly to eat and I feel guilty wasting meat.

Shot placement

"Catalina goat"? Where were you hunting?

284Shooter welcome. I choose to hunt w/bigger because I like them. That said. If you can hit what your shooting at w/in your self imposed limit? I hope you get a whopper. I've hunted w/the 357 & it was a 4 inch Security Six. No reason you can't. I will say what I don't like. Anything under 170 grains! A little expansion won't hurt but cast is fine. I use cast in all my bigger stuff. Don't like XTP's of any kind & I think the best jacketed bullet in 357 was the Partition Gold no longer made. Swift makes a 180 & Hawk? that's probably just as good. But if you like cast 180's use em. I'm partial to Cast Performance. I should add that I also had a GP100 for a while. Loved it but liked the Security Six better.