357 for deer
 

Would a 357 be accurate enough out to about 75 yds or no? i am considering getting one but i am also considering a .44 mag, or the XVR 460.

RE: 357 for deer
 

If you are a marine, you should already know that accuracy has more to do with the gun and shooter than the caliber. That being said, I have killed a couple of deer and hogs with a 357 no problem, but my furthest shot was about 40-50 yards. For 75 yard shots, I would look more seriously at the 44 or 460 or even the 500. You might even want to consider a Contender type pistol which would open up a whole world of caliber choices. Good luck with your decision.

RE: 357 for deer
 

With standard run of the mil ammo, the 357 will take deer but is right on the minimum line IMO. HOWEVER with good 180 grain wide nose cast bullets, It becomes a whole different animal capable of taking deer and maybe even bigger game. An LBT style hard cast bullet would shoot through about any deer at about any angle. Most folks don't take the time and effort to study up on the performance of cast bullets where Momentum replaces Kenetic enrgy and wide nose bullets creat large wound channels. Check out the offerings from Buffalo Bore ammo.

RE: 357 for deer
 

I think a 357 loaded with ammo from buffalo bore or corbon would handle deer with no problems at 75 yds.

RE: 357 for deer
 

I think that is pushing it for the .357. Only going by what I have read, heard from others and by looking at the ballistics. I have never handgun hunted before. I did own a .357 before though.

A lot of people will say the .357 is not enough for deer, I dissagree as long as you keep your distances close. I always think of the .357 as a decent alternitive to using a bow. Keep it within 40 or 50 yards and I think it will work fine. Not to say it wouldn't work farther though with the right ammo and a very accomplished shooter.

I feel the same way about the .410, it works fine as long as you keep it's limitations in mind when using it.

Paul

RE: 357 for deer
 

yea, my wife has a scoped GP-100 that she shoots very well out to 100 yds. That is the smallest caliber allowed in our state. It is all about shot placement more than caliber.

RE: 357 for deer
 

My 357 experience on deer is a little limited, I have no issues with it to 50 yds, 75 would really be pushing it IMO. A broadside shot where you KNEW you could put the pill in the boiler room will kill the deer, so I guess at that range its more about shot selection and your abilities to shoot.

RE: 357 for deer
 

MarineStud;

I've taken 6 N.Y. whitetails with a handgun - 3 with the .357mag Ruger BlackHawk and 158gr JHPand 3 with the .44mag Ruger Super BlackHawk 240gr JHP.
I personnaly shoot the .357mag better than the .44 (I flintch). I never missed with the .357 out to about 60 yds. I hit but could not find 3 whitetails when using the .44. The ones that I killed with the .44 did not go down any quicker than the ones taken with the .357.

If you like shooting the .44, then that would be the better choice, but if you are like me, then the .357may bethe way to go.

As others have said, it's bullet placement that counts

RE: 357 for deer
 

i had a friend shoot a deer with his .357 at about 20 FEET(walked underhis stand.)in the neck and that damn deer ran almost half a mile across a corn field. stopped and bedded down in corn stubble and another buddy finished him off with his 12ga. i would say you better be a damn good shot at 75yrds with a pistol and hit the vitals with a .357

RE: 357 for deer
 

Or not shoot them in the neck;). Shot placement is EVERYTHING!