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357 mag for deer???

14469 Views 27 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  lwb
i have a s&w 357mag has 8 and three eights barrel i would like to hunt deer with it i've been at the range shooting is a 50yd shot to far i am get good at 50yds but 25 is better
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so assuming your asking the question. is a .357mag good for deer hunting?my answer is yes. they make a 180gr. hunting bullet. that would do the trick nicley. as for if your asking what range its good for. take an 8 inch paper plate out to the range and find out how far away you can shoot at it from and hit every time. then cut that distance in 1/2. and that would be the max distance i would shoot at a deer with it.
I think its not a deer gun at all, sorry. 44 mag would be a starting point to me for hand gun hunting deer with. The barrel length may not be legal in some states.
Though the .357 isnt't my choice, it would be fine for deer hunting.
I think its not a deer gun at all, sorry. 44 mag would be a starting point to me for hand gun hunting deer with. The barrel length may not be legal in some states.

I would agree. HOWEVER, i know in WV the minimum pistol is a .357, with a 6" barrel. I shoot dads .357 all the time, but if i were to head out with a pistol, it would be the Ruger SuperRedhawk sitting in the gun cabinet. with 300 GR hornady XTP's, i wouldnt have a doubt that it would kill a deer. hell, my uncle dropped a bear with it...
I have a hard time looking at my Colt trooper MK3 and seriously consider it a deer hunting rig. Maybe the old 41, but I'll stick to my opinion that the 357 should stay what it was created for, 2 legged upright walkers.
ya i traded up from my taurus model 66, 357.mag to my ruger superredhawk .44mag. but a .357 would be fine.
Those red hawks are a nice hunting rig. My buddy in PA has a new Ruger model in something like a 450/480 Ruger not sure which one? with a red dot. He uses it for bear hunting. I shot the darn thing but it was more than I care to shoot.
ya i traded up from my taurus model 66, 357.mag to my ruger superredhawk .44mag. but a .357 would be fine.

redhawk is an amazing gun....dad has one, and with the 300 gr. hornady XTP's, holy crapola
I have a hard time looking at my Colt trooper MK3 and seriously consider it a deer hunting rig. Maybe the old 41, but I'll stick to my opinion that the 357 should stay what it was created for, 2 legged upright walkers.
Yup, bought me a Ruger Blackhawk over 30 years ago for just that purpose - them two legged varmints. Still have the thing in my gun safe. Mama likes it too, even named it for me -- Sandy -- just don't ask me where she got the name for it. Ain't got a clue!

As for using it for deer? Nah! Got too many other toys that work a whole lot better. :wink:
blackhawk for two legged varmit? why a six shot, single action revolver for that. that gun would be an awsome hunting gun, but for 2 legged varmit.... id atleast have a double action for that. my 2 legged varmit guns are my taurs modle 85ul 38 spc. (like 1.5inch barrle, waighs like 11 oz.. great for cc) and my S&W sigma .40 (15 shot .40cal)
I prefer my 45 Kimber semi auto loaded with +p Cor Bon 185 jhp for unauthorized entrants. :shocking:
blackhawk for two legged varmit? why a six shot, single action revolver for that. that gun would be an awsome hunting gun, but for 2 legged varmit.... id atleast have a double action for that. my 2 legged varmit guns are my taurs modle 85ul 38 spc. (like 1.5inch barrle, waighs like 11 oz.. great for cc) and my S&W sigma .40 (15 shot .40cal)
Oh, that Blackhawk was just the first one I bought. But it was quite a few years before getting more 'toys' to deal with them 2 legged varmints. Have an XD-40 and 1911A1 that are a lot more effective in dealing with them now.
I had a S&W 686 .357 with 8 3/8 barrel with a Leupold on it a few years ago,Shot a buck with it and it fell in it's tracks,it will for sure work with proper shot placement.You should just limit your range.
my S&W sigma .40 (15 shot .40cal)
How do you like the Sigma? my buddies mom just got it in 9MM and ill be taking her out to show her safety, workings, cleaning, etc. ive shot one a few times and liked it, but just wanted your opinion on it. i have my M&P40....LOVE IT! 15 rounder loaded with the 165 FTX hornady Critical Defense, 2 back-up magazines with 180 gr. handloaded Speer Gold Dot HP's. (amazing rounds..... excellent expansion.), and another 2 with good ol 170 gr. LEAD..... just in case WWIII breaks out in the house...hahaha.... just wanted to get the opinion of a fellow shooter... thanks man
I prefer my 45 Kimber semi auto loaded with +p Cor Bon 185 jhp for unauthorized entrants. :shocking:

what model?
How do you like the Sigma? my buddies mom just got it in 9MM and ill be taking her out to show her safety, workings, cleaning, etc. just wanted to get the opinion of a fellow shooter... thanks man
Extremehunter007, I also have the Sigma in .40 caliber, I would rate the sigma as a poor choice for a "new shooter" or a woman wanting a handgun for self defense.
The sigma doesnt have very good accuracy and I know it wasn't designed to be a hunting weapon it's sole purpose is for close range self/home defense but I would hope a new shooter would have a little better accuracy than what the Sigma offers.,,,, there's no safety mechanism so to reduce the chance of an accidental discharge, the trigger pull is purposely set at the factory to require more force.
To me, nothing about the sigma says "good choice handgun for beginners"
but that's just my opinion..
Good Luck...
i like my sigma. the trigger pull is a little long and heavey,and probably the reasone most call it inacreate due to the trigger pull. but i seem to hit my targets well with it.
i also have a sigma in 40 cal i love it but i love all guns with s&w stamped on them it's also good to hear that tbighunter shot a buck with his 357 i'm going to use it this year and i will keep the shots under 50yds all this in put was helpful glad i joined this club thanks
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