.357...Handy Rifle...Deer Gun?

[Tinker]

I've always wanted to have a matching caliber revolvers and long gun. For instance, a .357 carry revolver and a Handy Rifle in .357. That way I could reload (or special load) anything from a 38 (plinker load) to a max load the revolver or rifle could manage.

I may have a chance to buy a HR in .357. I was wondering if anyone here had actually taken deer sized game with a revolver or HR in that caliber. Actual range and effectiveness insights would be welcomed from someone who'd actually hunted witha .357. BTW I am sneaky enough to often get within bow range of deer. My max hunting range would be less than 75 yards. Thanks.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Shot placement 357 work fine . Just use a good bullet no 110 gr stuff
I had a 44 mag lever but a 30 30 walks all over it in ballistics. So I went back to the 30 30 .

 

[buck460XVR]

I've shot several deer with a 6'' 686. None went more than 40 yards.

 

[Remllez]

There are so many bullet choices available now a days that if you stay under 50 yards or so you should be fine. As with all hunting bullet placement is key. Your rifle will shoot a little faster/flatter so that would be my choice.

If you are "sneaky" you should be fine, although many will argue that caliber is minimal for deer a great many deer have fallen to it as well. Those are fine little rifles and just plain cool to have matching calibers.

 

[dagger dog]

I finally own a center fire rifle, pistol combo, mine is in .45 Colt.

The .357 was my second choice, and I was looking very hard at the Handi Rifle.

Us hoosier boys had to hunt with shotgun only until a few years back when they gave us the OK for pistol caliber rifles.

The .357 if loaded with hard cast SWC bullets is good out to 75-100 yds, you want a bullet as heavy as you can get and still be accurate in the Handi, penetration is the key, they won't go far with a .357 hole punched through both lungs.

 

[hja4941]

I use a .357 marlin out to 100 yards with heavy bullets. No complaints.

 

[Tallinar]

.357 Marlin 94 or model 92 Rossi would fit the bill perfect, I think.

 

[Shaky]

If you're max range will be 75 yards, any expanding .357 loading will do. Semi-wadcutters would serve well, but for all the pro's in Montgomery who feel only mushrooming ammo will kill cleanly.

 

[whetrock]

If you keep your shots close and your aim steady I don't see why not the 357 has more than enough energy for most average sized whitetails.

 

[BCRider]

A Handy Rifle would not be a bad option. But a slightly slicked up Win'92 clone in the 16 inch barrel carbine length would sure be a sweet option. And if shooting .357Mag rounds with 158 or 180gn bullets to a good velocity that still proves be be accurate for the rifling you'd have a pretty decent gun.

 

[kludge]

180gr out of a rifle is a 100 yard deer gun. Ream it to .357 Max, load it with 180gr SSP or 200gr FTX and it's a 200 yard rifle.

 

[Lawdawg45]

I use my Henry lever action every year for Deer, although I use a .45 colt. In Indiana the only rifles we can use must be chambered in pistol calibers (.357 up to a .44 mag).

LD45

 

[357 Terms]

Another Hoosier with a 357 lever action, I use 180grn XTP handloads (1600fps) hits very hard. More than adequate out to 150yrds.

 

[Tinker]

Thanks for all the replies. A lever gun in .357 sounds nice, too. If he still has the HR for sale come Monday I'll buy it.

 

[buck460XVR]

Thanks for all the replies. A lever gun in .357 sounds nice, too. If he still has the HR for sale come Monday I'll buy it.

Ruger has just introduced their new 77/357 rotary mag bolt .357 carbine. I have it's big brother in .44mag, and am considering selling one of my .357 levers to acquire one. Quicker, easier and safer to load/unload than a lever and scopes mount easily with the included rings.

 

[tlmkr38]

Check here.. This is a handi rifle forum... Alot of good info about the 357 handi here

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=5h4a7e14e5nsdqk2njtj3r5sr2&board=126.0

 

[Tinker]

Buck,

Had not heard of that Ruger. Sounds interesting. This HR is for sale cheap though.

Timkr,

Nice liink. Thanks for that.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

Have a friend who has taken 8 deer with a H&R .357, some as far away as 100 yards. All were killed with one shot. But he is a very good marksman and hunter.

 

[snooperman]

I ave killed more deer and wild boar with .357 mag ..

Ruger blackhawk than I can remember withh the 180gr bullet on my farmland. So in a carbine out to 50-75 yards it is fine.