Hunting with a 686 6" 357 Magnum

[SS686]

Thanks Alde, I try and be responsible since so many people these days are afraid of guns and don't understand them, much less hunt. So, I feel I have to try and counter any of the bubbas we have in Texas that don't always hunt with proper ediquette or even follow safe procedures at ranges.

Hopefully I can get out with some good hunters, and maybe even get out there with some good bowhunters and just learn from their stalking and shot placement. No need for an animal to suffer because of my stupidity or lack of knowledge.

Hopefully I can get into reloading in a few months. Luckily, I do have access to a reloading press, but I don't want to take advantage of a generous offer. I may try a couple of different loads though. They said as long as I provide everything like powder, bullet, casing, etc., I'm more than welcome to it. Is there a good website for powder loads for 357 hunting rounds? Thanks for the help!

Curtis

Originally posted by alde:
Good for you for knowing your limitations with your 686. You sound like a responsible person.

You should really think about taking up reloading as it will open more doors for you. You can load some pretty hot 180 grain hard cast bullets for your 357 that should do you good. You might also find that your own loads can be more accurate and increase your chances of a clean shot.

 

[mnhntr]

I would go with the 158gr for the lightest choice however the 180gr would be my first choice. If you dont reload get the buffalo bore stuff for maximum effectivness. I do not wear earplugs hunting because i only plan on 1-2 rds.

 

[SS686]

Dick,

thanks for the bullet tip. I'll put that on the list as well. I'll try several different grains and see how they feel and shoot for me. I've heard lots of guys talk about Buffalo Bore as being good, but I'm always anxious to hear about all the options out there. I appreciate the input!

Curtis

Originally posted by diamonback68:
You may want to check out the Winchester 180GR Supreme Partiton Gold HP. I haven't taken any deer with it, but it is a powerful load. I believe Buffalo Bore also makes a simular load.

 

[SS686]

Man, super quick response! Thanks! I might grab a box of 180gr buffalo bore stuff for now to try out. I only ask about earplugs because I'm a fulltime musician and am definitely paranoid about losing any hearing, no matter how small it might be. I really appreciate yours and everyone else's help on this.

Curtis

Originally posted by mnhntr:
I would go with the 158gr for the lightest choice however the 180gr would be my first choice. If you dont reload get the buffalo bore stuff for maximum effectivness. I do not wear earplugs hunting because i only plan on 1-2 rds.

 

[Dale53]

I have definite opinions about a proper bullet for a handgun.

The only deer I ever lost was a jacketed soft point. It did not penetrate in spite of being hit twice. It left exactly NO blood trail. That was my only experiment with a jacketed expanding bullet.

Every deer when shot with a cast bullet with a wide meplat penetrated completely. I NEVER recovered a bullet regardless of where they were hit - even end for end. I ALWAYS had a blood trail.

ANY normal revolver suffers from a lack of power compared to a high power rifle. Yet, when the power of a magnum handgun is properly harnessed (with a proper bullet) it is more than adequate for the task at hand.

This is where choice comes in. I will take a cast bullet of medium to heavy weight for the caliber with a wide meplat EVERY SINGLE TIME for my choice of projectile.

If a handgun bullet expands too much you will NOT get sufficient penetration (expansion requires energy). If it does not have a wide enough meplat you do not have enough "punch" to put it the animal down cleanly. At the velocities of a typical magnum pistol (.357, .41, or .44 magnum as well as a Ruger loaded max .45 Colt) we can not rely on hydraulic shock to do anything for us. We must permanently displace as much tissue as possible regardless of the way the animal is facing, etc. We do NOT always have the luxury of a standing broadside shot.

One of the reasons I picked the .44 magnum for my load - with the standard 240-250 Keith or WFN bullet I have realistic expectations of a killing shot regardless of which way the animal is facing with a good hit.

A good hit in a vital area trumps anything else. With the .44 magnum, I have all of the requirements. A .357 at a shorter distance with a heavy bullet should be enough, just, to get the job done.

Just some thoughts of a feller who has rambled the woods with a handgun more than a little bit.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[buckbeans]

If you had a chance to borrow a 41 magnum and shoot 200 to 300 rounds of custom reloads for that specific gun, you will not go back to the 357magnum.
I own a lot of 357's but I find it easier to develop a powerful accurate load with the 41 magnum
The accuracy of the 41 magnum through a wide range of velocities is phenomenal.
Try it you'll like it!!!!

 

[H Richard]

You may wish to check out your state laws. Some states have limitations on either caliber or energy factors or bullet size.

 

[BE Mike]

I don't see any reason to use a 180 grain bullet in a .357 magnum for typical Texas sized white tail deer. I like the medium weight jacketed soft points, although I don't have a problem with a hard cast semi-wadcutter. I would steer clear of jacketed hollow points. They don't seem to drive deeply enough into the animal and expansion is a hit or miss proposition. What you can do as a marksman will be the limiting factor, not the bullet or caliber.

 

[mississippi revolverman]

SS686

Yes I got a couple of hogs with the 586. ( must be going blind wrote 585 in 1 st post).The hogs dropped one shot each but then again we use dogs and I could rest on a tree and 25-35 yd range

Got the weapon set up with a Pro Point scope now and aim to try it on whitetail this fall.

 

[Eugene]

Hi All,

I have in the past done a reasonable amount of Handgun Hunting, first off with a 8 3/8" 29-2, with HOT 180gr handloads, worked well on everything I came across, I no longer have that smith and now have to use a 357.

I would put shot placement far more important than caliber.
When I first started hunting I was missing more than hitting due to excitement and poor form, so I practiced, first at 50 meters, It took a bit of ammo, but got to the point where I could keep all shots, freehand in a 3" circle, so I moved to 100meters, and several months later, I could keep them all inside a 6-8" circle, so that was how far I limited myself to.

That was many years ago and I now have to get myself back into form with a lot more practice with my .357, I have a new model blackhawk with a 6 1/2" and my 6" AFS 686 I can use, both shoot well, better than I can,

Practice, practice and practice, you have to reload, I was shooting 200-300 44mag rounds a week when I was younger and had better hearing, even reloading was costly, but hitting a hog at 120yards and seeing it drop makes it worth it.

I am going to scope my 686 as my eyes are just not good enough for 100 meter open sites anymore.

Practice and hit them where it counts, the prey wont know if it was a 357, 41 or 44 that killed them. shoot what you have.

enjoy what you do, I do.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
180 to 200 gr bullets at 1200fps +.
hardcast and much shooting before the hunt.
Shoot for the Heart Lung area.
It looks like a basketball, try for the center
of the ball and don't worry about where the head is.
The heavy hard cast 357 will drive through most
any bone on a deer and out the other side on
side shots.