Ok, here' s the skinny on it...if you' re an archery hunter, a .357mag is plenty good medicine, if you' re a rifle hunter only, the short range of the .357mag will probably drive you nuts. It' s a good round for deer under 50yrds, and only that far if you shoot better than most, basically, we' re talking about a range under 35yrds. With good bullets, there' s nothing wrong with it out to that range, I recommend a keith bullet, or lead round nosed, but Speer gold dots and other soft points are good too. I' ve had good experience with Winchester super-x half jacketed soft points too.-for factory ammo.