As most stated that you should not do this please head there warning. Don' t do it with a 357 mag. But to answer your question yes a 357 will kill a elk but you wont be around or either will the elk when he finally expires[].

Are there better rounds available you bet. If and only if I were to do it I would load a heavy hardcast bullet of about 180 grains to as fast as your gun will allow possible. You would also have to have perfect shot placement and hit no major bons larger than a rib. Also if you did hold your shot to no more than 25 yards at most pretend you have a bow and can' t shoot more than 25 yards. But there are better cal. out there for elk. Like others said a 44 mag is a wonderful round and can easily take any elk at 100 yards with the right loads.

I am with ya on using a handgun for hunting as it is one of my favorite ways to hunt but in truth I would only use the 357 for deer size critters on down.

Do you have any other handguns around or only the 357?

If you have a 45 colt or 44 mag they would be great and give you a better chance at harvesting and give much better range too. Good luck and take care.

Brian