savagelover
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I'm planning on using 125 gr cast for deer at 50 yards max. Maybe 1200 fps. Do you think it's doable..thanks
125 gr cast for deer
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savagelover
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357 revolver, sw 686 6 inch barrel
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
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We have poacher's that use 22mag here in Arkansas. they pop them anywhere from like 20 yards out to 80 -ish all the time. they just shoot the piss out of the animal. (a-beeps in my opinion but they kill them). So, on paper yes do-able.
Riomouse911
Member
I guess if you wouldn’t hesitate to shoot one with a 9mm handgun shooting +P 124 gr non expanding bullets, then that nearly identical bullet/speed combo out of your revolver will work. (1200 fps w/125 gr .358 bullet is roughly 420 fpe)
Put the shot in the brain and you’ll fill that tag right there. Anywhere else and you probably will be tracking for a bit.
Good luck
Put the shot in the brain and you’ll fill that tag right there. Anywhere else and you probably will be tracking for a bit.
Good luck
Tinman357
Member
The 125gn will do the job, if you are very good with precise shot placement. Pick your moment of perfect target presentation. (read head shot)
But, the 180gn will punch much deeper and give a cleaner kill.
But, the 180gn will punch much deeper and give a cleaner kill.
243winxb
Member
Deer needed to be dropped where shot on the public land, when i used to hunt. If still on its feet, its was going to get shot and claimed by others.
Shot 1 with a 30wcf, a good hit, had to track it less the 50 yards. When i got to it, 2 hunters already found it, thinking it was the deer they shot at. It was not. I told them the angle of the bullet thru the deer, and it matched.
Good luck.
Shot 1 with a 30wcf, a good hit, had to track it less the 50 yards. When i got to it, 2 hunters already found it, thinking it was the deer they shot at. It was not. I told them the angle of the bullet thru the deer, and it matched.
All depends where the bullet hits. Archery hunting kills deer to. Best to be a good tracker, just in case.
Good luck.
Anchorite
Member
I personally think the 125 out of a hot loaded 357 is marginal for deer. I’d go 158gr loaded to book-max.
As far as cast vs jacketed, the deer won’t know the difference. I get a kick out of all the threads in why one has to use a solid-cast-monolithic for white tailed deer. They aren’t hard to kill. Remember, it’s the Indian and not the arrow.
As far as cast vs jacketed, the deer won’t know the difference. I get a kick out of all the threads in why one has to use a solid-cast-monolithic for white tailed deer. They aren’t hard to kill. Remember, it’s the Indian and not the arrow.
Charlie98
Member
That's my thought... a nice, cast 180grn with a big meplat. I'd even take a 158grn over the 125...
Steven_Seagull
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Someone should return the favor, the only reason to hunt out of season is to avoid starvation. Short of that, our deserve the worse.
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158gr atleast..I'd go 180gr hard cast myself. Fat, wadcutter or SWC with a flat meplat.
Definetly doable, use a ground blind to get close and some shooting sticks?
Looking to try my 10mm hunting one day!
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
I agree but I’m not gonna go to prison for murder of a poacher I’d much rather find a big hole put some hogs in it and if they happen to get pushed in there I call bring on the popcorn and call it fight night!
luv2safari
Member
I sure wouldn't do it.
There is a reason why we have new excellent premium bullets. They work better.
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savagelover
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Appreciate all of your replies. Gives me something to think about.
N555
Member
125 and 158 hard cast will both likely go straight through a deer.
When I would shotgun hunt deer back in the day I shot 12 or 13 deer with 00buck which is just .33'' 60gr hardened lead alloy spheres traveling at 1100 to 1,250 in close formation. I never found an 00 pellet in a deer all appeared to pass straight through, all were proper kill shots from the side, never shot one long ways.
If you cast your own bullets use something like melted 22lr bullets, those will be more like 1.5% An and will mushroom out a bit. Pure lead may frag, depending on gun, velocity, distance ect.
No on 125 grain hard cast. At least 158, preferably 180 grain. My hunting partner uses a single shot 243 win, I use a single shot 450. On similar good hits we have to track his deer farther than deer hit with the 450. For a clean quick kill use enough gun to do the job.
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savagelover
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S&W 686 6 inch barrel. Very accurate at 50 yards from my rest in my stand.
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savagelover
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Well. I'm going to try anyway..it's over 1000 fps
N555
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Hard cast or softer?
jmorris
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If you can put it in the right spot, you won’t have much margin for error, that lots of other stuff could give you.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
IMO 357mag is a good minimum handgun cartridge from a handgun. But this is with a full load bullets generating over 500 ft-lbs energy.
35 Whelen
Member
I've shot deer and hogs with a .357 rifle, and find it somewhat marginal, and wouldn't dream of using such a light bullet. I used cast RNFP hollow points weighing in the 165 gr. range. What is your reasoning behind using such a light bullet?
35W
35W
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