best deer hunting 357 pistol

[cottonmouth]

.357

A GP-100 is a good strong gun and a blackhawk is too, just need to make up your mind if you want a single or double action. That Redhawk on gunbroker would make an damn fine hunting gun, mine is a 5-1/2" version that shoots max load 180's (by a speer manual) very good with little recoil due to the weight of the gun. If you look at the picture on gunbroker of the redhawk with the cylinder open you can see how thick the cylinder walls are on these guns.

J.B.

 

[dvnv]

The FA 83 in 357 has no equal, at least in revolvers, in terms of maximizing performance for the caliber. If that isn't in the right price range...I'd vote Blackhawk, Redhawk, Dan Wesson, S&W 28, GP100 in that order. If a FA is affordable, the FA 97 is handier than the 83 but you won't get the +p+ performance with 180's. My .02, dvnv

 

[Tackdriver]

I'm taking this one this year

 

[ImARugerFan]

Gp100!

 

[Brassman]

I have a 6" GP-100, Ruger Blackhawk Anniversary in .357, and Ruger Blackhawk Anniversary in .44mag. Any of these would do the job. Personally, I can shoot the GP double action just a well as I can shoot the Blackhawks, and would prefer to carry it in the field. I prefer the GP to any revolver I have ever shot. Just my $.02.

 

[langenc]

Im going to use a 66 and 158 gr bullets. My son did his deer with that in the lungs-one shot.

 

[jameslovesjammie]

You've just described my 686! ALL I SHOOT is max 180 grain Hornady XTP's. I've fired thousands of rounds through it and had ZERO trouble. ZERO. I shot four big Montana does at ~100 yards with this revolver before I scoped it. If you really want performance in .38 caliber, give a good look at a 10" .357 Max in a Contender or Dan Wesson. Awesome guns!

 

[PcMakr]

The S&W Model 27 or Model 28 are both on the N frame, the same as the .44 mag. Ruger Redhawk is good also. The .357 wil be good out to 75-100 yds. Wouldn't recommend more than that. It's all about shot placement. Good luck.

 

[Brian Williams]

I use a custom S&W model 65 with a Standard barrel and target trigger and hammer.

 

[Snapping Twig]

The 686 is totally compatible with exclusive use of high power heavy .357 rounds. Anything the GP100 can do, the S&W L frame can as well.

It all boils down to what feels right in your hands.

 

[Gustav]

Heavy Use .357 with heavy weight bullets

I would go with an L frame 686 it was designed specifically around the .357 round after some people and departments had problems with their K frames loosening up or going bad on the timing, that and forcing cone erosion or cracking after long hard repeated use of full power loads.

Most people would never shoot that much but that fact that some did so led S&W to develop the L frame both to compete with comparable Colt's and to build a more solid .357 service and hunting revolver capable of digesting more rounds before signs of excessive wear would show.

The L frame was the last of the duty belt combat magnums built tough in the spots that need it without becoming too heavy it was the frame and model series S&W built specifically around their .357 Magnum cartridge and not on a .38 or .44/.45 frame

Smith & Wesson's are made from forged machined steel and not castings.

Stronger and lighter is better if you pack or carry it allot, why carry more weight than you have to?

I have both Ruger's and Smiths but for constant or consistent heavy .357 heavyweight bullets and loads I'd choose the L frame 686 or N frame 27.