Deer hunting with a Ruger Blackhawk .357

As far as bullet weight goes, I have killed more deer with a 95 gr. bullet in a 6mm rem. rifle than I have anything else. Ive never had one go more than a few steps if I put the shot where it was supposed to be. Bullet construction is much more important than bullet weight. Energy and velocity also play as important a role as weight. A 110 gr. bullet from a .30 carbine rifle will work great for deer IMO, but a .30 carbine revolver would be more "iffy" than a .357
 
steveNChunter said:
As far as bullet weight goes, I have killed more deer with a 95 gr. bullet in a 6mm rem. rifle than I have anything else. Ive never had one go more than a few steps if I put the shot where it was supposed to be. Bullet construction is much more important than bullet weight. Energy and velocity also play as important a role as weight. A 110 gr. bullet from a .30 carbine rifle will work great for deer IMO, but a .30 carbine revolver would be more "iffy" than a .357
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Well once that 95 gr bullet is trucking along at 6mm Rem velocities it kinda becomes a different equation.....

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Was just trying to point out how sometimes theres too much emphasis on bullet weight. Even in handguns, how well the bullet holds together or expands/fragments, and how fast its going when it gets to the target is more important than 20-30 grains one way or the other IMO.

I think Im going to give the Federal Fusion 158gr. a try. If I dont get good results Ill try those Buffalo Bore 180's.
 
158gr SP at your range should work fine. I prefer a .41 on Bambi. I have used a 180 gr in a Marlin on whitetails with success.
 
I'd say a .41 would probably work better, but I dont have one and taking a deer with a .357 revolver has always kinda been on my "hunting bucket list" :)
 
I would use 158 gr JSP's for whitetail hunting with a 357 mag revolver.

I went through this thinking years ago and reading pretty much everything I could find on handgun hunting. I bought a 6" Colt Python for handgun hunting. I later decided it is not quite powerful enough and went with a 41 mag revolver. I generally recommend JSP's in 41 mag as well for deer hunting. I don't think hard cast bullets are necessary for white tails. Bears are another matter.

The 357 mag is often considered the minimum caliber for deer hunting with a handgun.
 
My standard hunting load is a 146 Speer JHP with WW296. I've been using it for since 1976. It is accurate, very controllable from a Ruger Blackhawk with a similar barrel length, 4" Colt Trooper MK II, and my current favorite a DW with either the 4 or 8 inch barrel.
 
ltc444 said:
My standard hunting load is a 146 Speer JHP with WW296. I've been using it for since 1976. It is accurate, very controllable from a Ruger Blackhawk with a similar barrel length, 4" Colt Trooper MK II, and my current favorite a DW with either the 4 or 8 inch barrel.
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Do you know the velocity of those loads perchance?

Thanks,

RR

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i will be hunting with a 357 this yr all so,all the data and research i have done says 170 gn up in weight and hard cast no hollow points.the double tap and buffalo bore have very good reviews for hunting,heck google it dont take my word..
 
rob-c, the 357 mag is considered marginal for deer sized game. But with good shot placement, you can overcome this and it can be an effective caliber. Hard cast bullets are not necessary for whitetailed deer.
 
in response to an earlier post about too much emphasis on bullet weight, I would like to say that in hunting bullet weight is EVERYTHING.
Retained energy down range depends entirely on sectional density, which, as we all know is a result of the bullets weight and its diameter:D
 
22-rimfire,thanks but i have done a ton of research and even elmer keith the guy who came up with the 357 mag said 170 gn and up.plus all the reviews on how well the heavy hardcasts work on deer.i am shure there is many that know alot more than i do, but i will stick with the favorable reviews of heavy hardcast...
 
even elmer keith the guy who came up with the 357 mag said 170 gn and up.plus all the reviews on how well the heavy hardcasts work on deer
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Bullets have came a long way since keith said that. You just need a bullet that will stay together. The old lighter hollow points had a hard time with that. Any bonded bullet that's at least 158 grns will do fine. Not dissin hard cast bullets, Id use them for bear for sure, but we are talking about deer here. Make a good shot and youll be fine. Just my 2 cents.
 
.357 mag

My dad own a Taurus I loved shooting it. They say their border line for deer hunting. If it were me I would go with a heavier grain bullet in SJSP. ( semi jacketed soft point) definitely not a hollow point!
 
I use 158 grain JSPs and have had good luck with several deer. The same loads are effective on hogs out to 35 yards. beyond that, I would recommend FMJs to get the most penetration. Some people say a .357 should not me used for deer, but they are also looking at shooting at carbine distances. A handgun should not be used for shots over 50 yards unless you are talking about a buntline revolver.
 
Personally I'm doubting the 158 gr. JHP's as a hunting load. I think I need something with more penetration.
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I have shot several deer with .357 Mag. None went very far. 158gr JSPs made a hole on both sides of the deer I shot with them. No more penetration is needed than that. The 2 I shot with 158gr JHPs, had no exit wounds, but still went less than 40 yards. The trick is to keep range to a minimum and accuracy. I always considered the range of my .357s for deer to be similar to bow-hunting. Ranges longer than that, I use something bigger.
 
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