6" .357 mag revolver for whitetail?

[MNgoldenbear]

FWIW A note about the archery comparison. Not a handgun hunter (as of yet), but did a little bow hunting. The recommended ranges are about the same, but the arrow relies on cutting an opening (usually about 1-1/4"-2") in the animal --preferably through vital organs. Bullets rely on a combination of the damage to structures actually penetrated by the path of the bullet along with the "stretch and crush cavities" (basically the "splash" of the shock wave as the bulet passes by through nearby tissue). With most handguns, I understand that the first part of that combination is the most important, since handgun rounds don't usually have the velocity at hunting distances to "splash" much. (This is behind the recommendations for a hard, flat-nosed bullet, which will basically make a bigger hole -- and also "splash" more tissue than a pointed or rounded bullet.)

Been thinking about trying the handgun thing too. In this area of MN, we're restricted to shotguns, pistols, and muzzleloaders. (Biggest grin I've had about hunting since I've been here -- the MN reg's actually say that "the muzzleloader used cannot be loaded at the breech". ) Also kind of strange that a .30-30 rifle would be illegal, but I could use an Encore or XP in a 300 mag! (Supposed to keep us from shooting each other, as it's REALLY FLAT out here.) I've got a 6" 686, 6" 29, and some Contender barrels that are candidates, but will probably stick to the shotgun so long as we're just looking to put up some meat. Anyway, whatever you choose, practice, have fun, and come home safely.

 

[pcf]

Unless your deer are rather vicious and happen to wear double thick layers boar hide a hardcast bullet isn't necessary. If the bullet will cleanly punch through a person it will punch through a deer (both chest cavities are 8-10").

Hardcast bullets probably won't expand at .357 velocities even with a hollow point, drilling holes in the tips will only expose the driller to lead powder/poisoning.

At 40 yards a 158gr Nosler HP @ 1300fps will go all the way through on a broadside shot. Don't know about taking out a shoulder and exiting.

If your shooting under 50 yards, a quality 158 or 180gr JHP or JSP will fit the bill. Farther than that a Hardcast would probably be a better choice.

 

[birddog]

I would use a heavy hollowpoint bullet for whitetail. It's a thin-skinned animal without a heavy layer of fat. You want the bullet to get in and then expand so it takes out the vitals and stays inside.

I can only speak from .44 mag experience (and a variety of rifles), but I think you're limiting yourself with a hollowpoint, especially if you encounter a heavy shoulder blade. I dropped a mature, northern 200 pound 8 pointer with an SJSP, and it did plenty of damage.

If you look down through this thread:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=114110

I've posted some pics of recovered bullets, shoulder damage, etc. Again, this is a moderate 44 mag load, but the same principles apply to your buddy's .357.

 

[Fumbler]

While that's true, under the assumption we're now talking about factory-loaded ammo, it could also get expensive. However, IIRC, the muzzle velocity and ft/lbs is printed right there on the side of the box. They could be measured for cartridge OAL (over-all-length), tried at 25yds and 50yds, evaluated for accuracy, and then hanloads tweaked for improved accuracy if needed out to 50yds.

The problem I see with the Hornady 158gr XTP ammo I see on the shelf here is it's marked "personal defense" rather than hunting. I haven't noticed any Hornady Custom .357 SP hunting ammo. I know either one will kill, and I have opinions too, but I sometimes wonder which is best after hearing what some people say about this or that bullet design.

On another forum, a man called Hornady and asked what to use for whitetails.
They told him to go with the 140gr XTP.
He practiced with them, then shot a buck at, IIRC, 30 yards. He said it went through one shoulder and blew out two ribs as it exited.
If the 140gr XTP can do that then I think the 158 would give sufficient penetration.

I have heard many people say the XTP's are constructed too heavily for self defense compared to other hollow points like the gold dot or golden sabre and many people carry them in defensive weapons during cold weather in anticipation of having to shoot someone that is heavily clothed.

We'll never know what works best. Some say you need a hard cast lead bullet for deer. Others say a lightweight semi-jacketed hollow point will even work. If I could find a premium soft point I would go with that, but the only soft points I've found don't shoot worth a hoot and shooting worth a hoot is the most important factor. So for me I pick hollow points that don't expand as much as others.

BTW, I have bought boxes of 158gr Hornady XTP's that were labeled as being for medium weight/thin skinned game. The bullets were the same as the box labeled "personal defense" and the velocities were the same....

 

[killzone]

357 mag Answer

I got out in the woods with a pistol only a few times And last time I used my 4'' 357, sorry to say I didn't do well. I got a shot at a buck form about 40 or less yards ,,Missed and the next day again about 40 yards or less, I just didnt take the shot., I dont know I guess it might just be my hand gun hunting skills that would make me think twice before I go hand gun hunting again.

 

[Shootcraps]

BTW, I have bought boxes of 158gr Hornady XTP's that were labeled as being for medium weight/thin skinned game. The bullets were the same as the box labeled "personal defense" and the velocities were the same....

Exactly. But think about the two uses. Humans and deer are very similar in this aspect. About 150-200 pounds. Thin-skinned. No thick layer of fat or gristle.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Well, MOST of us don't possess a thick layer of gristle, at least As to the fat layer, I suppose that us "trophy class" ( or would that be "atrophy class"?) specimens migh have just a tad more than average. Actually, I'd seen the comment -- IIRC, in reference to silenced "Whisper" cartridges -- about a round's effectiveness on "deer-sized game" (quotes were theirs), alluding to usefulness against human targets.

 

[Shootcraps]

 

[Gillster]

I've been using Winchester Supreme partitioned bullets, 180 gr, out of my 6"686 to hunt whitetail for the last few years. They have great penetration on Texas Hill Country whitetails (about 120lbs) and I haven't recovered a single bullet yet, nor have I failed to recover a deer either. Longest shot measured out at 68 yards and I didn't have to look for the deer.


Chris