I've shot 1 deer with a 357 mag, but it was with a rifle. I was useing 158gr. Hornady HP/xtp reloads that I made. I hit the deer in the front shoulder, It only went about 100 yards and piled up in a heap. She was dead when I got to her. But I would say shot placement is the key and range is the other thing. The deer I got was only about a 20 yard shot. Blow a hole in her shoulder about the Size of an egg.