What is the best load for hunting deer with my 357mag. I know some people think this isn't a good caliber and I admit it is probably the minimum you would want to use but on the deer here in Fl. and south Ga. at 30yrds and under I am confident it is more than enough gun with the right load.

The old 180jhp Rems are decent. The best for the 357 are the various hardcasts on the market, you can find them in 180s & even a 200grn here & there. The hardcasts will FULLY penetrate a deer well over 30yds away, if you gun can hit 75yds away the bullets are up for it. If you have a leveraction then well past that even!

I would agree with using hard cast lead. Go with a heavy for caliber (180gr) wide meplate over a stiff load of 296/H110 or even 2400 and you will have a dead deer. If you don't reload there are companies out there that offer hard cast bullets. Buffalo Bore and Double Tap are a few that I can think of off the top of my head.

As a minimum, 158 grain JHP or JSP load. 180 grain load would be better, preferably one that is loaded "hot". At close range with your "smallish" Florida deer, you should be fine with good shot placement....

I looked at this the first time around and thought you were talking rifle.

As short range as you're talking about, most rounds will work. My wife dropped a 150lb dressed doe last season with her 2.25" sp-101 and her normal cc load, hornady critical defense 125grn ftx at about 35yrds. Right through the pump house.