IndyHunter83

I'm lookin at the remington 180gr hollow point load or winchester 158 gr hunting loads. As far as shots go, I'm going to try for 50 yds and it. I'd prefer within 30yds and its possible too. I double and triple checked the laws before I put up this post. Here's some back ground. Prior to this year, .410 -10 gauge shot guns were all legal as well as muzzle loaders, I beleive it was .36 caliber or higher. Hand guns were legal in .357 mag and up. This is the first year that cowboy cartridges such as .357 mag, 45lc, 454 casual, etc. are legal in indiana. I purchased or actually traded for a new puma m92 with a 20" octagonal barrel chambered in 357 magnum because I'm getting into CAS. After I had already aranged the deal I was told about the new laws concerning these calibers. I was going to, and still may, end up using my muzzleloader. I just thought that since I've got the rifle anyways andhate my 870 as stalking gun, this new firearm would afford me the opportunity totry the new and if I liked it.

HEAD0001

I think Federal loads a good high power hard cast load. It could do the job in a rifle. Tom.

TUK101

I know a guy that used to shoot deer with a 357 Marlin 1894 rifle and said that out to 50 yards it did the job just fine. I know that I wouldnt take a shot any farther than that with that gun though. Bullet drop would be huge and after 50 yards there just isnt much energy left, at least not enough for my tastes. I have one in 44 magnum and I dont think that I would take a shot with it much past 75 yards and it packs a lot more wollup than the 357 does in a rifle. Remember that back in the old days before the turn of the century these rounds where rifle rounds and where frequently used on deer. The 357 was just knows as a 38 back then.

Pioneer2

Out of a carbine the .357 will take deer cleanly at 100 yards.They'll be piled up within 50 yrds or so with a double lung hit.Truck loads of deer hit the table with anemic rounds like 32-20,44-40 and the Jordon buck with a 25-20.Dead is dead if you do your part and shoot straight.A 148 gr HB wadcutter out of a S+W model 10 .38 Special -4" penetrates a 45gal steel drum at 100 yards one side and expands to over 60 cal [loaded backwards] Set yourself up on a deer trail so you get a 50 yard shot if you like.............Harold

RLoving1

I'm going to hunt with my Python this year and I'm depending on practice,shot placement,and bullet performance! Bigger isn't better if you can't hit the target is it?If hunting with handgun round it would be best for good penetration like hard cast bullet verses JHP that may expand too fast and not leave exit blood trail and should have enough weight to have foot pounds of energy.I'm loading 158 and 180 XTP's just under max and wanting consistant groups...and am putting them 3 very close together at 30 yards,and plan on limiting myself to unger 50 yards on game!If you can afford a 460 or 500 and can shoot it well that sounds like the best thing to do,I have a 458 Win mag...but ain't that tough!

idunno

ditto... I think it is either 158 or 180 gr hard cast. When I was looking for a hunting load for my .357 this one seemed to have the most energy available. I can't remember if I checked cor-bon or not. Since then I have decided that it is too light for deer and better suited in my night stand while I'm working nights

SanSabaHunter

I have shot 4 deer with my 357 using 158gr semi jacketed hollow point. Just wait for a good broadside lung shot. I personally limit myself to 30 yards.

eldeguello

When fired from a rifle barrel, the .357 is certainly adequate for deer shooting. I would use a semi-wadcutter bullet like the Lyman 358429 173-grainer with 13-15 grains of Alliant 2400 for as much velocity as I could get. The Pumas seem to be rugged and reliable. The only Pumas I have paid any attention to are the ones in .454 Casull. But any lever action rifle that will handle full-power .454 Casull ammo is plenty strong-and the Pumas will! I really like the Win. M92 type actions too....

Smokin Feathers

Load a hornady 158gr xtpfp over 18 gr of Hod Lil gun. Out of my marlin 94 this load clocks 1925fps and will put deer and hog down no problem to 100yds or so. We have made tons of meat with this rifle and load.