Whitehair

I am considering purchasing a revolver to hunt whitetails with this fall. I need to get a caliber that wont break my wrist. I was considering a .357 Mag, I know it is on the light side, but I intend to keep my shots within 50 yards, and considering the place I hunt, my farthest shot might be 40 (My favorite stand is in a thick creek bottom).

Could I cleanly take a deer with a .357? Because if I cant I have no problem waiting another year until I can shoot a .44 Mag. (Just turned 15)

Thanks for any or all input (BTW-I realize this could have gone in another forum, but I will be hunting deer so...)

recurver67

The 357 is very light, try a 41.

Whitehair

I was considering the .41 Rem. Mag. or the .45 LC, but I was concerned about recoil (not that Im a wimp or anything ) because most of all I want to be able to shoot this gun accurately.

deersniper101

[quote]ORIGINAL: recurver67

ya it is alil on the light side BUT for up to 50 yrds my dad has killed deer cleanly but dont expect them to just drop

GRIZZLYMAN

I have a Ruger Redhawk in 41 Mag. Put some good wrap-around grips on it like Hogue or Pachmars and it disappates recoil pretty well. I shoot 210 Rem. semi-wadcutters in mine for practice and recoil is minimal. With all that said, I'm 6'5" and 280, but I think with handguns that doesn't make that much of a difference. 41 has more than enough power with the CorBon 250s or similar rounds to put down a whitetail up to 50 yards. You will notice more recoil from the hunting loads, obviously.

ths78

A 357 is great for deer at the ranges you mentioned. Stick to bullets weighing 158gr and up. Also, you can practice with 38 special loads to keep costs down.

T-bird

I don't like the .357 at any range --- just too much margin for error to me. I've got a Ruger Superblackhawk .44mag with a Swift 2x scope that slays 'em. I've shot as close as 10 yds and as far as 75 yds without any problems. I shoot the 240gr Federal HydroShok bullets and they do the job.

rybohunter

I took my 1st handgun deer this year with a 357 at 20-22 yds. You can cleanly take a deer, BUT you better be real picky with your shot selection and certainly be able to put the pill where it needs to be. Standing broadside in the open. And you should also be able to track some becuase it probably will run a short distance. At 15, can you be confident you can hold yourself to those requirements?

Georgetownboys

I have used .357 185Gr. through a lever action brush gun and found it works well on pigs at shorter ranges. Mind you I do get a little more performance shooting these rounds through a long gun. Should work for Deer but like others have said, 41 or 44 mag is gonna be even better.

uncle matt

Yes, the .357 with heavier bullets will take a deer at those ranges - no problem. As for requiring a well placed shot - well duh.

And certainly being able to practice with .38 special is a great benefit, too.

Uncle Matt (in IL)