357 for deer

bow

I've not shot a deer with a .357, or any handgun despite some attempts at handgun hunts. I've not gotten a shot when I carried the sidearm. I have taken a number of deer with a bow. For me, handgun (iron sights) range is about bow range. That translates into 30-40 yds these days. There was a time when I could bust milk jugs off a rest at 100 consistently with a 6" revolver, and a woodchuck at that range was at some risk. Those days are over for me. I've always limited my bow shots to about 30 yds,and half that is actually my average bow kill.

A deer reaction to the shot firearm or bow, is a varied thing in my experience. I've had deer struck with an arrow, bounce at the strike, then resume feeding, to flop over in a matter of seconds. I've had them crash off in a headlong death sprint as well to pile up nearby. The deer's state of awareness may effect that some, a calm animal MAY react less.....but that can vary too. A gunshot likely is terribly loud to a deer, and I think a deer will bolt at a close shot pretty consistently...but I had a meat buck stop and stand at 30-35 yds this year after a rifle miss, to allow me to tag him on my second shot.

Dropping at the (rifle) shot is always desirable but I do not expect it. I do not advocate head shots to accomplish same either.
 
The last deer I took with a .357 (6" 3 screw) was running broadside to me about 35 yards away. I'll admit I gut shot it. Not horribly, but nonetheless . . . I saw it stumble, recover and run into brush. I waited about 90 minutes and followed the blood. It ran about 100 yards and was lying on the ground (head up) when I got to it. It hadn't the energy to flee (was obviously getting stiff) allowing me to stand directly over it and finish it point blank. Thats my best .357 deer story. Dad has taken maybe 4 with the same pistol.
 
The last deer I took with a .357 (6" 3 screw) was running broadside to me about 35 yards away. I'll admit I gut shot it. Not horribly, but nonetheless . . . I saw it stumble, recover and run into brush. I waited about 90 minutes and followed the blood. It ran about 100 yards and was lying on the ground (head up) when I got to it. It hadn't the energy to flee (was obviously getting stiff) allowing me to stand directly over it and finish it point blank. Thats my best .357 deer story. Dad has taken maybe 4 with the same pistol.
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Great job. Too many times people rush to trail a wounded animal. I have taken several deer with my 6" 686 loaded with 158 grn Federal hydroshocks. I reload, but those things shoot like a laser from my 686.

Now I just use a 44 magnum, I just like the 44 for the versatility. I see far too many people that do not take bullet construction into play thinking that its a magnum any bullet should do.
 
The 357 Mag is enough as long as you put the bullet where it needs to go, which rings true with anything. I will admit that larger calibers like the .41 and .44 are better, but the capability of the 357 Mag for deer is certainly there, although I would use something in the 140gr or 158gr range, if not heavier.
 
I believe it was Robert E Petersen who used an early 357 magnum with 8" barrel to kill some very large game including Polar Bear. Used correctly the 357 revolver should kill and deer you shoot as long as the shot is well placed and a proper bullet used.

I have lost one deer out of the 30 I have shot. And that deer was shot with a 243. I had a good hold on a broad side shot at 50 yards. I went to where the deer was standing and found blood. Not a lot but about half a coffee cup full. The deer ran and we only found a couple more drops of blood.

My bud heard the shot and the BOOM you here when a bullet hits the chest. he was sure a deer was down and drove down his tractor so we could load it in the bucket and drive it back to be processed.

I went back the next day to see if the buzzards had found the deer. I never saw any circling. Maybe the deer lived. They do that sometimes. My uncle shot one mule deer in colorado that had two bullets encapsulated in the skin. Both mushroomed and both in the chest. Deer are tough animals. And any deer that escapes and dies feeds something else. I still hate losing that deer.
 
Well.... at least a couple people did answer my question from past experiences. I never really asked if a 357 can kill a deer. I mainly wanted to know for the people who has shot deer with them in the past how far did you have to track before finding your deer. Not headshots.
 
Well.... at least a couple people did answer my question from past experiences. I never really asked if a 357 can kill a deer. I mainly wanted to know for the people who has shot deer with them in the past how far did you have to track before finding your deer. Not headshots.
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Sorry if my response wasn't what you were looking for. But if you hunt enough you will learn that no one can give you an exact answer on how far a deer will run after being shot with anything.

You will have your answer when you have more experience.;)
 
Have shot several deer with the .357 Magnum and always found it wanting. Moved up to the .45 Colt and what a difference. It puts them down with authority
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I agree with this; however, please keep your manners. Everyone has different experience/opinions, so let's respect that and refrain from the personal, destructive criticism.
 
"Funny how the .223 as used by our military works as a "manstopper""

I think you need to read up on the history of the 5.56 round. It was not chosen for this reason.
 
The first deer I ever shot was at 60 yards with a Colt Cobra 357 6" barrel, and Aim Point. Almost a perfect shot; hit the shoulder and the 158gr XTP hollow point bullet exploded. I got lucky and a small pc of the bullet severed the heart. Found him 10-20 yards away. When I stepped it off I was a little taken back it was 60 yards. I would not have taken the shot. 357 at very short distances with a soft point bullet might be acceptable but why chance it.

Move up to a 41mag or 44 mag with a jacketed soft point bullet. You won't be sorry.
 
"Funny how the .223 as used by our military works as a "manstopper""

I think you need to read up on the history of the 5.56 round. It was not chosen for this reason.
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Am well aware of the theory of wounding a guy ties up his comrades in providing aid to him. Still, it was selected as the MBR round for our armed forces and is hardly a deer cartridge.

Don
 
357 MAG

This cow elk was felled by two quick shots into the chest at a distance of approx 50 feet. Within reasonable archery distances, my 357 MAG is a lethal hunting tool. But beyond archery range, a good is advised.

Jack

 
Never shot a deer with a 357

BUT

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I have killed several deer and antelope with my 357s. I have a 6" M28 and a 6" M27. I used LBT Hard cast every time but the 1st time back in the 70s, when I killed a deer with a 158 Br Remington Soft point. All fell quickly and about 1/4 of them fell instantly.

The 187 gr hand cast LBT is a Wide Flat-Nosed Gas Check bullet. My standard load is a max safe charge of WW296. Depending on the lot of powder, it's somewhere between 15.8 gr and 16.4 grains. Accuracy is a ragged hole at 25 yards with all six rounds from both my revolvers.

All these deer and antelope have been killed in Nevada, Wyoming Idaho. Some of the deer were very big bucks and so far the only bullet I ever recovered was the 1st one, the Remington, but in fairness it went clear through the deer and was found on the skin in the butt. All the LBT bullets have exited and about 1/2 have hit bones.

In the hands of someone that can shoot a revolver well, the 357 mag is a fine deer gun.
 
Great stories but the OP asked how far do you have to track deer after being shot with a 357? As far as I am concerned that is a question that is without answer. I have shot deer that dropped in their tracks. One deer shot with a 44 mag rifle and a 240gr soft point right through the lungs with a broadside shot ran around 150 yards. I would never have expected that. Especially after I saw the damage to the insides.

But thats how deer and other animals sometimes react to being shot. The OP says he tracks deer he has shot with a bow and arrow. If he is that good of a tracker I doubt he will have any trouble at all tracking any deer shot with a 357 magnum as long as its a well placed shot.
 
Yep, basically all I was wanting is if you reply to this topic. If you have shot a deer with a 357 how far have they gone. I understand every situation Is different and you can't predict how far a deer would go if I shot it. I've just wondered basically people who have shot deer that aren't dropped because of a headshot how far have they gone before expiring after being shot with a 357. I appreciate all the replies that's been sent and I don't want to cause an argument like I've seen between a couple people on here. Thanks
 
Ratshooter, it's crazy sometimes. My grandpa shot a 13 pointer damn near perfect double lung no heart with a 12 gauge slug. It ran probably 150 yards maybe 180. Biggest blood trail I ever seen. They are just tough animals.
 
Yes they sure are. And even if the innerds are shot to hell but no damage to the nervous system like if a fragment of the bullet hits the bottom of the spine they may still have 3-10 seconds of life left. And they make good use of that last bit of life by running like an Olympian. So a good blood trail is desirable.

Buy your 357 if you don't have one already and do lots of practice. And do it from field rest not from a bench. You will be fine. I would use the heaviest hard cast or jacketed soft points you can get your hands on. But in the end where the shot is put is what will tell the tale.
 
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