.357mag for deer?

[bpl]

In PA, the only caliber limitation for centerfire firearms is .27cal or higher for elk. For deer and black bear you may use "manually operated centerfire rifles, handguns and shotguns with all lead bullet or ball, or a bullet designed to expand on impact." We used to have a .24cal mimimum for deer, but it appears they dropped that restriction. There are minimum caliber/equipment requirements for muzzleloader, flintlock and archery hunting though. Always good to check though, as they do change the regs periodically!

BPL

 

[bpl]

Shawnee,

I have trouble using those online recoil calculators because I never know the powder weight since that is not advertised. I'm not a reloader.

Thanks!

BPL

 

[theNoid]

If you are not a reloader, then by all means consider the LeverEvolution from Hornady. I have talked to several people here in Wyoming this hunting season that have used it and love it. One gentleman was waiting to get his mulee and antelope into the processing joint. His antelope was at 145yds and his mulee was at around 135yds according to his Nikon rangefinder (oh daddy wants). Both were one shot one kill, said the mullee dropped in his tracks, the goat went about 20yrds before keeling over.

I personally have no experience with these bullets but the theory on them seems solid, and all of the reports from people I know and don't know, have been positive...both from levers and wheelies.

Noidster

 

[Shawnee]

Hi BPL...

The Hornady 125gr. HP/XTP should be worth a try. It will produce 500+ ft./lbs of energy at 50yds even though it is underloaded for that bulet weight.
The recoil is nominally 3.0 ft./lbs.

That 3-lb. recoil is the same as a moderate 223 load with 50gr. bullets.

The 158gr. ammo loaded to produce the same energy at 50yds. as the 125gr. ammo will have a nominal recoil of slightly less than 5 lbs.

As I mentioned before, it is most likely the muzzle blast that will bother your young friend, not the recoil.


To get 1650fps - the 125-grainer will require 8grs. of powder (Unique) and the 158-grainers require 10 grains powder (Unique).

HTH

 

[steveno]

in a 357 mag the only bullets weights I would consider for deer hunting would be either a 158 grain or 180 grain bullet. no other bullet weight is going to give you the penetration

 

[bpl]

Shawnee,

I'm a little leary of going too light with the bullet. I think I'd prefer the 158gr bullet as the minimum. You know, misjudge distance a little, maybe hit a shoulder instead of ribs. I'd like it DRT! What about the 158gr Hornady HP/XTP load, recoil less than 5lbs you say. Maybe that would work, or the 158gr Fusion load (which is cheaper!!).

If he can't accurately shoot a load that I feel is capable of reliably and cleanly taking a deer at 50-60 yards, maybe he needs to stick with the .22 and squirrels this season?? But, maybe after a few range sessions with .38 special...then try the 158gr .357! Earplugs and muffs. I have a PAST recoil pad as well. He's been shooting a youth .410 shotgun with his dad, but I don't know how accurately. I've also never fired a .410, so I don't know about the recoil.

BPL

 

[Shawnee]

Agreed - the 125-grainer offers no placement margin.

Both of the 158gr. factory loads you named ought to work at 50-75yds. and it will be very hard to find a factory load with sufficient power and less recoil. The .410 he's shooting may be a bit heavier than your rifle so it's hard to guess at a comparison but it seems unlikely the recoil will bother him much. Placement is still crucial with the 158-grainers but they will be better against bone.

Good luck

 

[jjohnson]

+1 on "consider the LeverEvolution"

Not a bad idea! I mean, the crux of much of this conversation is how to get enough 'bang' for a fairly lightweight shooter to reliably nail a whitetail, with
no wish for wounding an animal.

I agree that 125 is too light - it's not a "deer bullet" in my opinion. My line of thinking was that while the Buffalo Bore stuff might be a bit stout, maybe something with a little less recoil would work for the young man. I'd forgotten about the LeverEvolution ammo. I haven't tried that yet. It's an idea that has merit.

I'm not saying the lad shouldn't shoot the Buffalo Bore stuff - my whole point was that between the .38 stuff to practice with and the ultimate BB ammo, it would be interesting so see how he did with, say, .357 mag @ 158 or so. I know that if I let my son shoot .38 in my carbine then handed him something at the far end of the spectrum, he'd think I'd sucker-punched him.

 

[bpl]

Now, the Hornady LeveRevolution offering in .357mag is a 140gr FTX.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_se...&category_id=60c538f7b741f0a880b7fb27021cd85e

Presumable the FTX bullet is a hunting bullet, but since they don't release it to reloaders, I can't read about the bullet itself on their website. Here are their .357cal bullets:

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_se...&category_id=03f5bc0b39f584f443753498359f2f7c

It is also a bit difficult to compare with other loads as Hornady tests their handgun loads from an 8" barrel and the other manufacturers I've looked at use a 4" barrel. Anyway, isn't the LeveRevolution strength the ability to shoot a bit flatter at longer range? Would you still recommend it knowing that the sole offering is a 140gr bullet?

Thanks!

BPL