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Is .357magnum big enough for deer?

10K views 35 replies 27 participants last post by  Ciscokid55  
#1 ·
Was wondering if .357 is big enough for Pa. deer. I know shot placement is most important but wondered how many deer hunters use pistols. Looking to buy a used S&W 586 from a buddy. Had a 686 awhile ago but never hunted with it. Any feedback about the .357 caliber for deer is appreciated.
 
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#6 ·
I've been keeping an eye on this thread. Just got a 357 about a month ago. I've ben practicing here and there. Today I did pretty well. If I decide to use it I will have to limit my shots to 50 yards and under. Closer would be better.

After shooting several groups I will say that if I have to shoot offhand I would like the shots closer than 50 yards. If I got something to rest on they are in trouble at 50. I shot further than that today with good results. Some more practice, and I would shoot at game that far. Just not that consistant right now.
 
#10 ·
yes, the are heavy enough for a deer. It cracks me up that the 357 is considered the best police round but at times we will agrue if if is ok for deer.

I shot 1 deer with my S&W 586 6" barrel - no issues. Shot placement is always important, but even more critical with weapons like handguns, muzzleloaders and bows.

I suggest using the heaviest bullet you can get your hands on too. Remington makes a 180 gr round and a (I think) 165 gr round especially for handgun hunting. The 180 grain lead bullets were also mentioned above. I shot my 1 doe with the Remington 180s and they preformed well. I now handload, so I use hunting loads topped with the Hornady 180 gr XTP. I would much rather give up a little speed for a heavier and thus better penetrating bullet.

good luck
 
#11 ·
i have a 686 thats scoped and it was either 03 or 04 where i took it out hunting and took a doe at 86 yards one shot and she went 45 yards. It is something i will never forget even scoped thru the woods thats one of my best shots no matter what weapon i use
 
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#13 ·
I had poor results with a bad pistol shot about 12-15 years ago so its my fault, Shooting 158JHP/357mag I hit a doe just below the eyes at less than 20 yards, took 1/2 the nose and the bottom jaw off but no recovery again poor shot placement 1" higher and would have been DRT.
I then got a crazy idea to try a 357mag rifle and what a difference. with good shot placement I dropped a good sized buck at 75 yards, one shot DRT. My son now hunts with a 357 Maximum and it does really good.
 
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#14 ·
I've taken several deer with a .357 Magnum, all with 158 grain JHPs. Never had a problem or lost a deer, all shots were under 50 yards. I used a Dan Wesson 8 inch, and a Smith and Wesson 19 4 inch.
 
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#15 ·
700varmint said:
I then got a crazy idea to try a 357mag rifle and what a difference. with good shot placement I dropped a good sized buck at 75 yards, one shot DRT. My son now hunts with a 357 Maximum and it does really good.
A 357 out of a rifle or carbine is an entirely different animal. With proper (and safe) handloading you can approach 30-30 levels.
 
#16 ·
I think the problem is that some people that have tried it can't shoot. I have shot deer with a .222 with no problems so I would assume that .357 will work if you can shoot. My 586 with a 2x scope will do about 2 inches at 100 yards if I can do my part.
 
#17 ·
With in reason, I have taken two Deer over the last 40 years with a 357. Both Deer came with in 30 yards. I was rifle hunting both times. But had the revolver with me. And opted for the pistol shot. Both were clean kills with 158 grain half jackets.
 
#18 ·
For me a pistol is hard to shoot. I never got very good with one. I missed 2 deer with mine over the years.both shots under 50 yrds. After the second miss I lost faith in my ability to kill a deer with a pistol and traded it in on a shotgun that I can hit with with. I would like to get a Marlin rifle in .357. I still have have my reloading supplies and 2 boxes of Black Talons.
 
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#20 ·
79inpa said:
My 586 with a 2x scope will do about 2 inches at 100 yards if I can do my part.
i have the same gun, 6" barrel, pachmyer grips and no scope. it is the only handgun i can shoot accurately. i can hit a pie plate at 100 yards most shots. i keep saying i'm going to hunt deer with it one of these days. those L frames sure are sweet.
 
#21 ·
GKMAC said:
For me a pistol is hard to shoot. I never got very good with one. I missed 2 deer with mine over the years.both shots under 50 yrds. After the second miss I lost faith in my ability to kill a deer with a pistol and traded it in on a shotgun that I can hit with with. I would like to get a Marlin rifle in .357. I still have have my reloading supplies and 2 boxes of Black Talons.
You never mentioned the kind of gun you had. Couple months ago I traded my 44 Super Black Hawk to a member on here because I just couldn't shoot it very god with the open sights. Other people I shot with before had no problems. I guessed it was just me. I came to the realization that that gun just wasn't for me when I shot some other handguns with really good results.

I picked up a cheap Rough Rider 22 this past spring, and I can shoot it with (in my eyes) amazing accuracy. Squirrels are safe however.

I decided to pick up a Ruger GP100 after I came across some extra cash about a month ago. That gun too I can shoot good. I still need some more practice, and that front sight needs some color.

The point is that sometimes people buy guns that just don't "fit" them. I had no problems with the 44 as I can shoot my buddies 6" Taurus way better than I ever could shoot the Black Hawk.
 
#22 ·
I would not use anything less than a 44 mag in a handgun, but I have no doubt a 357 could take a deer with a good bullet, good shot placement, and shorter range, say 75 yds or less. I believe someone (maybe corbon or grizzly) loads a 180gr in the 357. I think this might be a good load for deer. People think because the 357 is a potent round against a human that it should easily take a deer. My take is a deer is a pretty tough animal compared to a human. Pound for pound we are about the weakest thing on the planet compared to other animals. A deer will take a hit from a rifle (or any weapon) and runoff and sometimes survive that a human would never survive.
 
#23 ·
IMO most guys that hunt with most any revolver normally keep shots to around 50 yards and under. Well, ethical handgunners anyway. I even kept mine to 75 and under when I was using a scoed 44 mag.

"A man has got to know his limitations"
 
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