357 Mag Hunting

[gehlsurf]

Hi guys,

Never really noticed, but there's no hunting section on this forum... none the less, I'm contemplating using my TRR8 for hunting.

I typically use a 10mm, but love my 357, see a squirrel-38 spl, see larger, 357 Mag, etc would be my thought. And my S&W 357 is more accirate than my 10mm. Many say that the 357 isn't good enough for hunting. They push towards 10mm, but I just saw a few vids on youtube and really started to look at the ballistics of these rounds. Seems almost the same to me, sometimes leaning towards the 357 Mag in energy.

So what gives? Have any of you taken deer or hog with your 357? If so, what ammo?

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[diyj98]

I've used a 357 magnum with 158 grain hollow points for deer with good results. I'm shooting within 50 yards at max where I hunt though. I'd have to admit I'm sure a 44 mag or hot loaded 45 Colt would probably be a better all around deer gun though.

 

[gehlsurf]

Oh, and i typically stay within 50 yds or less. I know some people are gonna ask "depends on your limitations", my limit is 50 yds personally.

But if you've hit longer, please, let me know, my revokver will hold to about 80 yds, just not me, lol. Getting there..... slowly but surely....

 

[OKFC05]

Sure. 158gr SP over 296 in 8" 686. Prefer to be 75yd or closer.
With a big hog, be prepared to keep shooting.
If you're too far away to shoot in a 6" circle, don't shoot.

 

[les.b]

We may not have a hunting section, but what we really need is a "Bear Section"....

(Joke)

Best Regards, Les

 

[gehlsurf]

Nice guys!! You never let me down!!

Even with my 10mm I had to shoot a hog a few times, no no change there. Tough *******s...

I have a 44 mag, but im opposite to most hunters, go out looking for small game, only go for hog and deer when no rabbits or other small game, lol. So 357 gives me 38 spl for those guys.

I can keep them in 6 inch circle no problem, my TRR8 is a 5 inch barrel. To me, perfect size to carry and keep the velocity and accuracy up. I have a 44 super redhawk, after a while, feels like I might as well have carried my M1A, hahaha!!

 

[squidsix]

I have killed 6 deer, three hogs, 10 javelina, two turkeys, one black bear, and about 50 woodchucks with .357 magnum either in 4" k frames or a lever gun. All but the hogs were one shot kills with 158 grain JSPs. The hogs were multiple 180s each.

 

[Mr.Harry]

This is going to be a fun thread.

 

[Abbynormal]

I've taken deer beyond 100 yds with my M27-2 6".

 

[BigBill]

I’m thinking for small game a H&R 22lr revolver would work. For little small game use 22 shorts.

My 357 Python could make pinpoint accurate shots using my 140gr Jhp. @ 100yds. I have faith in the 357. Accuracy I can hit Little Rock’s on the 100yd berm all six shots.

The only thing is you pack lunch, snacks(hard candy) ammo for the rifle, handgun, plus the rifle and handgun, emergency pack it gets heavy.

 

[BigBill]

We may not have a hunting section, but what we really need is a "Bear Section"....

(Joke)

Best Regards, Les

Gets cold hunting bare/bear. Lol. I can never find his zipper to steal his coat.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Gets cold hunting bare/bear. Lol. I can never find his zipper to steal his coat.

You have to install the zipper yourself. Might get a little exciting if he's not *quite* expired when you start.

If you think about it, anything that will kill a person will kill a deer.
Hunting is all about correct shot placement.

 

[bmcgilvray]

A Texas whitetail doe at 39 steps, taken three years ago with the Smith & Wesson Model 27, a Sierra 158 grain JHP, and a heavy charge of 2400.

Only time I've used a .357 Magnum for deer hunting. Deer dropped and never twitched.

 

[Riflemann]

I carry a 4” 686, and a Marlin 1894 in 357 Magnum, great combo, like the old days same caliber for revolver and rifle.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Opening day of deer season, about 25 yards, 158 grain mag tech, dropped in its tacks.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Snapping Twig]

Might want to try a hard cast SWC, like the Lyman 358429 (170g from WW) or the Lyman 358160 GCSWC (160g from WW).

Some suppliers sell them if you don't cast.

Big metplat, hard hitting, two holes.

 

[BigBill]

You have to install the zipper yourself. Might get a little exciting if he's not *quite* expired when you start.

If you think about it, anything that will kill a person will kill a deer.
Hunting is all about correct shot placement.

There’s no feeling like sitting at the top of a field with the 6’ tall grass infront of you with a bear coming your way.

Or going to your stand in a apple orchard with a bear to the left and a mountain lion on your right talking to each other.

Or being in the thick pines with something busting up the place going the other way.

I love it.

 

[andy52]

Interesting thread, for years I carried a .357 while deer hunting as a second weapon. In all those years it never got used because I had a rifle in my hands and didn't even think about it. Then one season I decided to just leave the rifle at home, took a deer from a ground blind at about 25 yds it was a gratifying to know that it could be done humanely. They're not as efficient as a rifle but will do the job.

 

[dave1918a2]

There’s no feeling like sitting at the top of a field with the 6’ tall grass infront of you with a bear coming your way.

Or going to your stand in a apple orchard with a bear to the left and a mountain lion on your right talking to each other.

Or being in the thick pines with something busting up the place going the other way.

I love it.

6 ft tall grass. At least You know the bear isn't much of a vegetarian.
Bear and the lion discussing how to divvy up You.
Whats going the other way is what You were there for in the first place.
I thought this thread was about hand gun hunting. Never tried a .357 Myself. Not legal here for anything but small game. I just use a .44 and a .475.

 

[BigBill]

6 ft tall grass. At least You know the bear isn't much of a vegetarian.
Bear and the lion discussing how to divvy up You.
Whats going the other way is what You were there for in the first place.
I thought this thread was about hand gun hunting. Never tried a .357 Myself. Not legal here for anything but small game. I just use a .44 and a .475.

It was my first time bringing my brother with us. In the dark he said nothing but in the daylite he seen the bear tracks in the soft mud which made them larger by 1/3 he took the next year off from bear hunting. I had no problem. If it bleeds I can kill it.