.357 or .44 mag for deer?
- Thread starter mac57t
- Start date
Para Bellum
New member
.44
a hunter I know told me that wild boars still shake when he hits them with a .357 Magnum. Instead, when he hits them with a .44 Magnum they reportedly drop on the spot. Sorry, only second-hand-advice
a hunter I know told me that wild boars still shake when he hits them with a .357 Magnum. Instead, when he hits them with a .44 Magnum they reportedly drop on the spot. Sorry, only second-hand-advice
44mag@ucnsb.net
New member
I have hunted deer with .357, .41, and .44 magnums for most of my life. I can tell you that with Deer larger than 250lbs, I prefer to use a .41 or .44 magnum. A .357 loaded with 180grain hard cast SWC's is a good hunting gun. But in the end, the .41 and the .44 magnums deliver alot more energy with a heavier bullet. If you will be hunting larger game animals and large deer, I would use the .44 magnum. Just be sure to get one that feels good for you and get a good load for it. I use Elmer Keith's favorite .44 load that consists of a 250 grain bullet at 1200fps. Well good luck, I hope that helps.
.44mag
P.S. Para Bellum's friend is right, I have never had an issue dropping a large boar on the spot with a good .44 magnum shot. I have never trusted a .357 to shoot large boar. Although I am sure it can be done.
.44mag
P.S. Para Bellum's friend is right, I have never had an issue dropping a large boar on the spot with a good .44 magnum shot. I have never trusted a .357 to shoot large boar. Although I am sure it can be done.
The .357 can most certainly take a whitetail deer. Us e180-grainers and keep in mind you have VERY little margin for error. I much prefer to take the .44 Magnum -- the previous posters are right, be it deer of hogs, the .44 drops them faster. Keep in mind you still need a good hit with whatever you shoot.
Just me
Use the excuse to pick up a new .44, or a carbine.
I have hunted before using a .357. But in my case, it was a lever action Marlin Carbine, and I was using some of Cor-Bon's 180gr screamers. I DID NOT feel undergunned. It helped that I enjoy my carbine so much and practice A LOT, so I was confident that out to 80 yards or so, that bullet would go exactly where I wanted it to.
With you saying you gun is only a 4" barrel...I don't know. If I was going to use a .357 on deer, I would like at LEAST a 6" barrel to wring everything I could out of the load, and have the slightly longer sight radius.
Conclusion: Your M-66 CAN get the job done, but start load selection and practicing NOW.
greg
Use the excuse to pick up a new .44, or a carbine.
I have hunted before using a .357. But in my case, it was a lever action Marlin Carbine, and I was using some of Cor-Bon's 180gr screamers. I DID NOT feel undergunned. It helped that I enjoy my carbine so much and practice A LOT, so I was confident that out to 80 yards or so, that bullet would go exactly where I wanted it to.
With you saying you gun is only a 4" barrel...I don't know. If I was going to use a .357 on deer, I would like at LEAST a 6" barrel to wring everything I could out of the load, and have the slightly longer sight radius.
Conclusion: Your M-66 CAN get the job done, but start load selection and practicing NOW.
greg
Well, the .357 can be affective, but not as affective as the .44. I mean it
really all comes down to shot placement. Deer are really weird creatures tho.
I have seen them drop in their tracks like they were poleaxed from the
smallest wound, and I have seen them run 100's of yards with their hearts
completely destroyed with a .50 black powder rifle. I have seen them run
close to a MILE after their lungs were pulped to nothing with a 3" magnum 12
gauge slug also..........carry enough gun and place your shot properly.....
really all comes down to shot placement. Deer are really weird creatures tho.
I have seen them drop in their tracks like they were poleaxed from the
smallest wound, and I have seen them run 100's of yards with their hearts
completely destroyed with a .50 black powder rifle. I have seen them run
close to a MILE after their lungs were pulped to nothing with a 3" magnum 12
gauge slug also..........carry enough gun and place your shot properly.....
An additional idea for your consideration: I own a fair number of Smith (L and N Frame) and Ruger (GP100 and SP101) revolvers, primarily .357 magnums. I believe the .357 magnum alternative is adequate for deer (as others have correctly stated, accuracy is THE KEY).
However, I recently bought a Smith 610. This N Frame is simply terrific: very accurate, great quality, fit and finish, superb reliability and durability, AND IT FIRES BOTH 10MM AND .40 S&W ROUNDS (just like .357s fire both .357 magnum and .38 special loads). I would respectfully suggest a five-inch 610 would be ideal for deer, with essentially as much muzzle velocity/energy as a .357 magnum, a heavier and larger diameter round, and a flatter profile for longer distances. In addition, this would provide your arsenal with another “twofer”, with .40 S&W ammunition for target and plinking work abundant and inexpensive.
However, I recently bought a Smith 610. This N Frame is simply terrific: very accurate, great quality, fit and finish, superb reliability and durability, AND IT FIRES BOTH 10MM AND .40 S&W ROUNDS (just like .357s fire both .357 magnum and .38 special loads). I would respectfully suggest a five-inch 610 would be ideal for deer, with essentially as much muzzle velocity/energy as a .357 magnum, a heavier and larger diameter round, and a flatter profile for longer distances. In addition, this would provide your arsenal with another “twofer”, with .40 S&W ammunition for target and plinking work abundant and inexpensive.
Lawyer Daggit
New member
.357 or 44 on Whitetail
.357 will work on Whitetail at low range (max 60 yards) my recommendation- buy a 44 mag and get another 40 yards of range.
.357 will work on Whitetail at low range (max 60 yards) my recommendation- buy a 44 mag and get another 40 yards of range.