357 Mag deer hunting load

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're going to hunt with a 4" .357 Magnum revolver i highly suggest you do plenty of practice beforehand. I'm not talking about shooting off the bench at the range, I'm talking about practicing in the field under the conditions you will see while hunting. I would also have someone along on the hunt with a rifle at least the first few times you try revolver hunting. Maybe someone with a quick swinging rifle like a 30-30 levergun or something similar that can be used to prevent a animal from running off hurt.

 

[Biggfoot44]

There is a split on opinions between heavy hard cast , and heavy controlled expansion JHP.

A Keith or LBT loaded hot should penetrate as well as a real cal , just make a smaller hole.

A Gold Dot or XTP loaded hot would probably penetrate far enough on lung shots , and make a somewhat larger hole doing so.

I have not had a deer cooperate while hunting them with a .357 revolver. But I have shot Boar with .357 from revolvers and rifles. The Boars were minimally impressed. But they tend to be minimally impressed with a hit with anything not to CNS.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Of course 3 min after posting a fitting analogy struck me.

Hunting with a .357 is like self defense with a .380 .:

Some people do it , and at least some of the time it works out for them. Some people think it's too small , and even those who give conditional aproval consider it marginal. I frequently make the comparison to "Bow hunting with a pistol" , refering to the need for close ranges and careful shot placement.

Shot placement is particularily critical.

Ammo optiopns tend to run to either no expansion and lots of penetration , or lots of expansipon and limited penetration.

 

[jaymoore]

I've rarely (once, actually!) had deer go down immediately after hitting them with a .44 slug in the chest cavity. The bullets always sail through. Might leave a blood trail or not. But haven't lost one yet either, even though it might mean tracking them upwards of 300 yards. You ought to figure a good hit with a .357 Mag will be somewhat less effective and plan accordingly. Close range and no question whether you can put the bullet exactly where you want!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Of course 3 min after posting a fitting analogy struck me.

Hunting with a .357 is like self defense with a .380 .:

Some people do it , and at least some of the time it works out for them. Some people think it's too small , and even those who give conditional aproval consider it marginal. I frequently make the comparison to "Bow hunting with a pistol" , refering to the need for close ranges and careful shot placement.

Shot placement is particularily critical.

Ammo optiopns tend to run to either no expansion and lots of penetration , or lots of expansipon and limited penetration.

Nosler makes a 158gr JHP .357" hunting bullet I would trust because I trust Nosler. Sporting Handgun Revolver ? Nosler The Nosler bullets might be a little better than the Hornady XTP bullets but I have not tested them against each other. Nosler sells them in 250 count bulk boxes too. (usually under $40)