recommend some .357 deer hunting ammo

The most popular deer rifle rifle, a 30-30 Winchester, uses mainly a 170 grain bullet
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I suppose all those deer taken in the decades before the 180gr loads hit the market were shot with bullets that were too light?:rolleyes:

And while its still apples and oranges, the most common bullet weight for the .30-30 is a 150gr.

Use 180s if you like them, if the fit in your cylinder, if you gun shoots them well. But you don't need them for deer.
 
x2 on 158 grain being fine for deer. I used 158 grain jacketed soft points for years successfully on Michigan deer. Even for shoulder shots and out to 100 yards or so. The real things to consider IMO, instead of fussing over ballistics and theoretical numbers, are proper shot placement, comfort and experience with the gun and ammo you are using, and care to not take any shot you're not absolutely sure of.
 
A skilled shooter can most likely drop a deer from close range with a FMJ 125 gr where someone else may fill up their prey with 180 gr and never bring it down. Not that I would ever use that particular bullet on a deer . . I'm just saying it seems like larger calibers and heavier bullets make up for proper shot placement these days.
 
Irish B . . .

I suspect the reason for Buffalo Bore's and Federal’s 180 grain, hard cast core lead deign is full penetration and reliable large-bone breakage, which increases the possibility of rapid incapacitation.
 
Buffalo Bore:
180-gr. Hardcast Lead Flat Nose (19A)

Winchester Supreme:
180-gr. Nosler Partition Gold (S357P) @ 1,180 fps

Double Tap:
200-gr. WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hard Cast
 
I would choose something in 140 gr+ in a semi-jacketed soft point or a solid. The most important thing is that you can hit what you are aiming at. Don't take shots that are either too far away for your ability to hit your target or take strong quartering shots where deep penetration is absolutely necessary.

Figure on one shot. You are likely only to get a good second shot if the deer drops and jumps back up.

I personally consider the 357 mag from a handgun marginal for deer. But many use them. For me, the 357 mag is more of a backup or shot of opportunity gun when deer hunting. I carry a larger caliber as a primary deer hunting gun, but not this year as I have not shot enough to be as competent as I feel is necessary.
 
Speer Gold Dot is pretty good stuff, accurate and consistent performance. They make a 170 grainer that would give some good penetration if needed, although I would keep shots at 50 yards or under. The .357 is not a .44, and just doesn't have the energy to start with, so it loses it along the way.
 
I never have figured out....

How the .357 can be the bees knees for stopping a 150-200lb man, but only marginal, or not enough for a 150lb (and for a lot of the country, that's a real big one) deer!

Seems like a strange double standard to me. Of course, with people, we aren't concerned with clean kill, only stopping an attack. If they die as a result of being stopped, oh well. And we are looking to kill the deer.

Still, it always seemed to me that if it can be counted on for one, it ought to work for the other. This does not mean I endorse the 5.56mm for deer, because the govt says its good for shooting people (the enemy), that's a whole different argument, and one for another thread. There is however, one similarity, our govt is not interested in making humane kills on the enemy, only stopping them.

Bullet selection is important for best results, and for deer the light bullets (125 and under) are not usually good performers, as they are optimised for humans, and how often do you need to take a quartering shot on a bad guy? I personally see no need for the heaviest (180s), but do not deny that they will work well, when extra penetration is needed.

If you use the 125, pick your shots carefully, and avoid raking shots and the heavy bones, for best bullet performance. 140-160gr bullets of proper construction have the mass and hold together to get through when the angle is less than optimal. 180s will do it too, and then some.

One word of caution, if you keep 125s for defense, and are sighted for them, don't just drop 180s in the cylinder and go hunting. Do some practice first, as they will shoot to a different point of impact. That's why your hunting gun should have adjustable sights!;)
 
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