".357mag for deer" ammo

[BB57]

I'm more inclined to use a rifle pattern Model 92 in .357 Mag than a pistol, but either way Model 92 or 6" Model 66, my preference is the Federal 158 gr JSP in either the American Eagle or Champion box.

It works well on mid sized game. I have never shot it into ballistic gel from a rifle or carbine, but if I get time this weekend I may have to do just that.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My cast 168 gr SWC pushed by 15 grs of #2400 dumped a big 8 pt with about 2 Ft of penetration. Chest cavity up into the neck.

I killed a running buck with a 1911 45 loaded with Fed Hydrashoks. Both penetrated through his body and kept going.

 

[Nevada Ed]

When I was young and could "Run the hills" and had great eye sight and steady nerves.........

I would hunt with my 270 on my left shoulder and a 6" Magnum on my right hip.

Back then I did not have any 2400 or slower powders, due to the fact that I shot a LOT of .410 to 12 Ga. at birds and trap clays and Unique had to do for my revolver loads.

Here is a picture of one of my targets shot at 25 yards at the range off of a sand bag. The triger and iron sights are "Stock" right from the factory.

Today, I have to use a rifle due to old age.

 

[glenwolde]

I'd say either the 158gr Winchester JSP or the 180gr Underwood hardcast/flatnose.

I'm with this. The hardcast would probably perform best on a quartering-away shot and the JSP on a broadside. Hard to predict what you're going to get. What the heck, alternate them in the cylinder.

 

[filmmaster]

The hardcast at 25 yards will punch a cute little hole through one side and out the other. And unless you happen to hit something extremely vital on the way you can plan on tracking that deer for awhile. Been there, done that. Deer are soft and not that hard to kill, hardcast is absolutely unnecessary and certainly not the best choice. Anything that would be good for a human will be good for a deer. Especially at that short of a distance.

There is no actual way to determine what will happen at any shot on animal. Have had deer run half a mile or more with a .308 jsp through the lungs. Have had deer run with the lungs COMPLETELY gone a half mile.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

My special deer bullet for Nevada Mule deer, was the old Speer 160 gr jacked lead tip FN bullet..

That was a great bullet, and I wish they still made it. There was a 146 gr HP version as well. Soft lead for expansion, 3/4 jacket = no leading, SWC shape even if it didn't expand. I cast my own version of it, SWC solid or HP, gas checked, somewhat softer alloy, (about 50/50 wheel weights to pure lead, very scientific).

I've only killed two deer with a .357, both with 173 grain Keith 429358 bullets, cast of wheelweights, so I am sure they did not expand. Did not recover either one, but both deer (~125# on the hoof Alabama whitetails) dropped within 25 yards. I have to say I was surprised that hard bullet put them down that quickly, but to borrow from Elmer's book title, "Hell, I Was There."

I have no reservations with a good .357 gun and load for deer at close ranges, but I prefer a heavy bullet that will be likely to expand some, hence my newer . 357 bullet mold. I will carry my old 6" pre-27 or old model Ruger flattop .357s at times because I just like them and they feel right, even though I've a safe full of .44s that I suppose are technically " better" killers (but dead is still dead, right?)

Of the options you mentioned, I'd pick the 158 soft points.

 

[Drm50]

For years there was nothing but lead bullets. The jackets and JHP & JHP.
I don't recall anyone having trouble killing deer with them. Now there is a special bullet for everything. If you are having trouble killing deer it is more likely poor shooting. Deer ain't Cape Buffalo.

 

[BillBro]

For years there was nothing but lead bullets. The jackets and JHP & JHP.
I don't recall anyone having trouble killing deer with them. Now there is a special bullet for everything. If you are having trouble killing deer it is more likely poor shooting. Deer ain't Cape Buffalo.

Very well said. Put a period at the end because theres not much more to say.

 

[F224]

Any of them will work. The 140gr tipped Hornady bullets were designed to run through lever action rifle magazine tubes, and not create a risk of ignition in the tube under recoil.

I've run those 140gr bullets at 2500fps in a single shot custom 357 Maximium CVA APEX. They get about 8-10" of penetration at that speed on Iowa whitetails, and they drop like a sack of potatoes. But then so do the 140gr Sierras I've used also. The six recovered bullets all weighed about 40gr.

I use the factory 140gr Hornady loads in my new 4" Colt King Cobra, they shoot well, but have not taken a deer yet with one from the revolver. I'd have no reservations about shooting any whitetail inside of 80 yards with that combo. I just bought but have not yet shot a Marlin lever action rifle in 357 Magnum. My planned load for that gun is the Hornady 140gr tipped round.