IndyHunter83

I'm a little behind on my information but I just found out that in Indiana several pistol/rifle cartridges can now be used for deer. I'm currently getting intocowboy action shootingand I've bought two revolvers and am looking at arifle chambered in .357 mag/38sp. 357 mag is one of the rounds that has been approved for use on deer. So I was how the cartridge did on deer and what type of reviews Puma rifles have gotten. Let me know

stalkingbear

While the .357 will cleanly take a deer at close range,it's woefully underpowered for shots much over 50-75 yards. I would reccomend you get a .44 mag or the puma in .454 casull. The recoil of the .454 in a rifle is very gentle and has about twice the power of a .44mag.

HEAD0001

+1. Tom.

IndyHunter83

Well the area that I hunt is really dense in cover. Shots usually aren't more than 50 yds. And I've already bought the rifle. If I'm hunting corn feilds I'll use my ML.

stalkingbear

Since you already have .357 rifle may I suggest that you stack as many odds you can. Check out cor-bon 158 gr +p or some other HOT .357 load as your rifle will easily digest them and it MAY make a difference in terminal ballistics and how quickly the deer goes down. A shot at 50 yards is well within .357 capability,especially with a hot load.

IndyHunter83

Well I was at gander mountain tonight. I figure I'm either gonna go for either the 180gr. hollow point remingtons or the 158 gr. winchester "hunting" loads that I found. I figure that'll do the job when I'm stalkin the woods.

Will_C

While the .357 in a 6" barreled revolver is considered minimal, remember the .357 is a different animal in a 18" barreled carbine. If you stick with a "hot" load, you will notice that the energy levels are not that far away froma. 30-30. I have not shot a deer with a .357; I plan to this year.
Will

bronko22000

I may lean a little towards Will's comment. I would not recommend the 357 for deer out of a revolver.Energy is minimal at best. Out of a carbine it may be suitable but limited to the 50-75 yds. I'm not quite sure about the "close to 30-30 ballistics" though without looking the data up. But if the carbine in 357 is all you have - OK. If you have something with more punch, the animal deserves a quick harvest. Something it may not get with a marginal hit.

bigcountry

I have seen deer taken with 357 and after looking at the wound and how far it ran, I made up my mind, its not a deer cartridge in a pistol. I have taken deer with a 460Smith and 44mag, and thats what I like.

Out of a rifle the 357mag could be kicked up to decent energy levels however.

driftrider

I'd say get the hottest hunting loads you can find, and be VERY selective about the shot you take. Keep it under 50 yards, 75 max, and wait for a clear full broadside or slightly quartering away shot and make sure you put it right in the boiler room and you'll put the deer in the freezer. In the meantime, I'd start saving some money toward a true deer rifle if it's legal in your state. Might want to double check the laws in Indiana about using a CF rifle for deer. They might be referring to pistols/revolvers only, so even though your rifle is chambered in a cartridge that is legal in your state, the fact that it's a rifle might make it illegal. I mention this because Iowa's law allows CF handguns, but no CF rifles during regular seasons. Two years ago the DNR did start allowing CF rifles in the southern counties during the late antlerless season only. Use a CF rifle any other time for deer and you might wind up donating the rifle and any mode of transportation you have with you (ie ATV, car/truck, etc...), along with a heafty cash contribution, to the DNR. Better double check the law and/or call your local DNR officer to make sure your rifle is legal during deer season.

Mike