.357 Mag "RIFLE" For Whitetails

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While I use a rifle cartridge for whitetail, I would be inclined to use a hard cast lead bullet....the heaviest I could load in .357 mag. The chances of penetrating to a vital organ would improve, IMO.
 
I will be using my Marlin 1894C this year with my handloads......Hornady 158 gr XTP. I like the 158 gr bullets because I feel it's a good balance of speed and weight.
 
My preferred round for whitetails using either my 686 or the 20'' lever is a 158 GR XTP-FP over H110/W296. Next is the 158 GR Speer JSP. I tend to keep the HPs for target and varmints.
 
Whitetails are given too much credit for being hard to kill. A 125gr hollowpoint will blow completely through a 180lb whitetail's lungs, in and out. How much more power do you need. The last one I shot went about 12 yds with the above mentioned bullet. Where you put the shot makes a lot more difference that the bullet. BTW, if you are using a Marlin with a Microgroove barrel you will need jacketed bullets as the lead will foul it after a couple of shots.
 
I use the Hornady 158gr HP-XTP in my S&W 686; I get 1200fps. I bagged a 200lbs doe at 65 yards last year, went through the heart/lungs and exited through a rib. (It was already running,) but ran less than 100 yards more before collapsing. I keep my shots below 150 yards, I'm sure with a rifle you could get more distance if the rifle is accurate enough.

I'm sure the 180s would be a good choice too.
 
BTW, if you are using a Marlin with a Microgroove barrel you will need jacketed bullets as the lead will foul it after a couple of shots.
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BTW, This has been proven to be false on a daily basis. I cast my own for my 357, 35, 44, and have yet to have any leading. The guys at castboolits.com don't seem to have any problems either.


I'm using a 180 wfngc being pushed by some #9 with no problems at all.
 
Quote:
BTW, if you are using a Marlin with a Microgroove barrel you will need jacketed bullets as the lead will foul it after a couple of shots.
Click to expand...
BTW, This has been proven to be false on a daily basis. I cast my own for my 357, 35, 44, and have yet to have any leading. The guys at castboolits.com don't seem to have any problems either.
Click to expand...

One trick is use a slightly oversized cast lead bullet. I run a Missouri Bullet #2 Whitetail, sized to .311, in my Marlin 336 .30-30 and it shoots clean and accurately.

The affordability of cast lead bullets makes the .30-30 a really fun plinking rifle!
 
The leading problems I have experienced with the microgroove barrel in the Marlin were with both .44 Mag and .357 Mag. Both of these are using bullets designed for handguns and could very well have a different alloy than those designed for the higher velocities used in rifles. My .357Mag usuallly pushes a 125gr bullet to about 2,000 fps which is a little too hot for typical handgun bullets not to lead.
 
Lead will work fine if gas checked they can push close to 2000fps and will with some hotter loads in a rifle. Don't use hardcaste for deer they will break both shoulders if thats the shot but typicaly just bore a nice 357 hole and deer runs a long way. SJLWC and softer JSP, hp's work and of course Barnes x is a great hunting bullet use the heavy wieghts in all. Hardcast are the ticket for hogs but not thin skined game.
 
will be using my Marlin 1894C this year with my handloads
Click to expand...

I had success with my Marlin 1894C
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I have a 1894 cowboy too, and I cant stand the sights. this is preventing me from hunting with the gun, what sight set up do you guys have.

Sorry, i dont mean to thread jack!
 
I've taken a deer with my Rossi 92 and a 165 grain SWC over 14.5 grains 2400 for 1800 fps. It killed right there, 80 yards, lung shot. I would recommend against anything under 158 grains on deer, more for self defense than for deer and factory loads may be of the "short barrel" variety which should be avoided. 16.8 grain Lil Gun gives me 1900 fps with that same 165 grain Lee gas checked bullet. That's my load. :D
 
On my Rossi (sight question), I installed a click elevation adjustable sight off an old .22, peep, pulled the aperture out of it for a ghost ring. I can run it up three revolutions of the elevation wheel for .38 light loads, back down for .357, very repeatable. I prefer it to anything I've tried on THIS gun due to its repeatable elevation adjustment. It makes a fine rifle inside 100 yards for hogs or deer, change ammo to a 105 grain Lee SWC over 2.7 grain Bullseye (900 fps from a 20" barrel) and it becomes a small game gun to rival a .22. It shoots 1.5" at 50 yards with that load.

If I hunted only in the east Texas piney woods, I think this little rifle would be all I'd need. It's a little lacking at 300 yards, though, LOL.
 
engineerbrian said:
I have a 1894 cowboy too, and I cant stand the sights. this is preventing me from hunting with the gun, what sight set up do you guys have.
Click to expand...

Skinner Sights makes a highly recommended peep sight for the Marlin 1894. They are what I have on my 1894C (although I don't hunt yet).
 
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