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Hunting with a .357 Magnum.
- Thread starter MCorps0311
- Start date
I would NOT......
I would NOT use a JHP or a HP on any big animal, but would use a flat nose or SWC. Big animals need penetration, hollow points limit penetration. Overpenetration is not a problem in hunting because no one is behind what you are shooting at. If there is, you don't shoot.
I would NOT use a JHP or a HP on any big animal, but would use a flat nose or SWC. Big animals need penetration, hollow points limit penetration. Overpenetration is not a problem in hunting because no one is behind what you are shooting at. If there is, you don't shoot.
I'd be willing to take moose at 50 yards or less, that's about as big as I'd go. Elk, deer, black bear, all within reasonable range with the right loads works for me.
30-30remchester
Member
Texas Star mentioned a Montana game warden that successfully used a 357 against a grizzly. The wardens name was Kis. I studied this incident years ago and my feeble brain recalls him using issue 125 grain hollow points. The bear got him down and all shots were at inches away. Kis fired all six rounds but missed once. The bullets did not penetrate and with luck the last shot was in the mouth? and was able to end the fight. Some say others fired shots as well. Kis had only a minor wound on his calf.
The gun writer Bob Milek shot a black bear at inches away using a 357 and 158 grain hollow points. Bob fired 6 shots into his head and no bullet penetrated. All the bullets were perfectly mushroomed against the skull. The guide actually killed the bear with a Colt Woodsman of all things.
In both cases the men would have been better off with hard cast of fmj bullets as they were trying to shoot through a hard skull. But if the shootings were normal lung shots a good hollow point is the preferred choice as hard cast make only small holes and allows the animal a better chance to escape. When using handgun calibers of less power I would prefer penetration over expansion. My antelope hunt using a 45ACP with hollow point ammunition was dismal to say the least.
The gun writer Bob Milek shot a black bear at inches away using a 357 and 158 grain hollow points. Bob fired 6 shots into his head and no bullet penetrated. All the bullets were perfectly mushroomed against the skull. The guide actually killed the bear with a Colt Woodsman of all things.
In both cases the men would have been better off with hard cast of fmj bullets as they were trying to shoot through a hard skull. But if the shootings were normal lung shots a good hollow point is the preferred choice as hard cast make only small holes and allows the animal a better chance to escape. When using handgun calibers of less power I would prefer penetration over expansion. My antelope hunt using a 45ACP with hollow point ammunition was dismal to say the least.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Yes indeed. Bullets like Silvertips and others are designed to stop humanoids not bears.
When I carry out in the boonies I often carry a 357 and Its always loaded with heavier SWC bullets.
And if I'm not wearing it, it's handy in my SUV.
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Bob Milek used swedged HP bullets that did not penetrate the skull on his bear.
The incident with the MT FWP Warden was the release of a Grizzly bear that had been darted then turned on him. The range was top of the cage down to the bear.
I shot a 200 lb mule deer with a 4" mod 19 in 86. I used 125 gr HP and have never had as much blood shot meat as with that animal. I clipped the spine shooting down hill and the bullet exited.
IMO the 357 from a Blackhawk, DW or L&N frames with 180 gr cast is a very different load than a 158 or 125 gr. Again bullet placement is everything.
Edited to accurate last name of the writer.
The incident with the MT FWP Warden was the release of a Grizzly bear that had been darted then turned on him. The range was top of the cage down to the bear.
I shot a 200 lb mule deer with a 4" mod 19 in 86. I used 125 gr HP and have never had as much blood shot meat as with that animal. I clipped the spine shooting down hill and the bullet exited.
IMO the 357 from a Blackhawk, DW or L&N frames with 180 gr cast is a very different load than a 158 or 125 gr. Again bullet placement is everything.
Edited to accurate last name of the writer.
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Texas Star
US Veteran
Do you really mean Bob Hagel or Bob Milek, whose event was mentioned by .30-30-Remchester?
I recall Milek's article, but not one like it by Hagel. I did read articles by both men.
The outdoor editor whose account I read of the Montana warden shooting didn't mention the warden's name and said the final shot was in the bear's heart. But it was while releasing a bear being transferred.
There seem to be several versions of this event, or maybe we're talking about different shootings? Would a Montana member please contact that department and ask to speak to somone faniliar with the incident, or the warden, himself? He's probably retired now, but they may put him in touch with you. While you're at it, ask how they liked the M-66 with that ammo for their job. I suspect the ammo was chosen for shooting felons, not bears. If it was that very hot 125 grain stuff, it probably beat up the guns a lot.
Faulkner
Member
I've taken at least half a dozen whitetail deer with a .357 magnum lever gun. With good ammo it'll do anything a .30-30 will do as long as you keep the range to about 75 yards and under.
I've killed a couple of whitetail and put down a number of horses and cattle with it because it was the only thing available. Penetration is the key as I see it with handguns and the light self-defense bullets in a .357 don't do too well. The 180 cast does ok but I have plenty of .44s, .45s and .475s available if I'm going handgun hunting that will do a much better job, without the ear splitting muzzle blast of a .357.
cowboy4evr
Member
I've put down quite a few cattle with just a 22 hornet , " one shot " kills , everytime , and it wasn't at point blank range either . It's all about correct shot placement .
THE PILGRIM
Member
Recently a Buddy of mine down in S Miss told me about a Bull Buffalo that broke loose and went on a rampage.
The owner passed the word, when you see it, put it down.
The Buf was put down with a 22 Hornet.
The owner passed the word, when you see it, put it down.
The Buf was put down with a 22 Hornet.
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Many deer, moose, elk ect are harvested with 22lrs. the poachers
gun of choice. When hunting game you should use enough gun
to make a humane kill. All most anything will kill if used at a
reasonable range and the shooter is capable of a kill shot. The
357 is the smallest I would want to go on deer and then only
40-50yds. Guys using scopes off support, maybe 100yds.
I once was present when a angus steer that was half wild was
going to be butchered. You couldn't get within 40yds of it or
it would bolt. Guy finally caught it near the road. Steer was
900 lb. guy pulls out a old Stevens B/A 22 to shoot it with.
Rests on truck door, pop, angus woke up in the freezer. That
don't mean a 22 is a good Moose gun.
gun of choice. When hunting game you should use enough gun
to make a humane kill. All most anything will kill if used at a
reasonable range and the shooter is capable of a kill shot. The
357 is the smallest I would want to go on deer and then only
40-50yds. Guys using scopes off support, maybe 100yds.
I once was present when a angus steer that was half wild was
going to be butchered. You couldn't get within 40yds of it or
it would bolt. Guy finally caught it near the road. Steer was
900 lb. guy pulls out a old Stevens B/A 22 to shoot it with.
Rests on truck door, pop, angus woke up in the freezer. That
don't mean a 22 is a good Moose gun.
vonn
US Veteran
Shot placement,shot placement,shot placement. Semi jacket lead nose will penetrate clean through any animal I have ever shot.
30-30remchester
Member
Man I didn't think there were any witnesses. I am going to have to be more careful in the future.
My mistake thank you it was Milek. Brain spasm or late hours, Thank you.
It's fascinating to realize the accelerated rate of evolution for North American animals since 1935. When the 357 Magnum became available in registered "N" frame revolvers, Doug??? Wesson hunted a large array of big game animals successfully. Published articles touted its power and borderline controllability.
Dick Proenneke, who lived in "Who-the-heck-knows" Alaska, carried a Great Western (one of the first near copies of the Single Action Army, also carried/used by Matt Dillon for 20 years) 357 Magnum in a shoulder holster.
Nowadays, the animals became intelligent enough to wear body armor, or their coats evolved to be more nearly bullet proof.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Dick Proenneke, who lived in "Who-the-heck-knows" Alaska, carried a Great Western (one of the first near copies of the Single Action Army, also carried/used by Matt Dillon for 20 years) 357 Magnum in a shoulder holster.
Nowadays, the animals became intelligent enough to wear body armor, or their coats evolved to be more nearly bullet proof.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
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