357 Mag Pistol Deer Hunting

[justgoto]

I am going to try hunting with my 357 this season and would like to know what is the longest distance I would be able to drop one.

Here is the pistol,

It has an 8 inch barrel.

I am thinking of using the Hornady HP-XTP 140 grain which will be traveling at about 1350fps.

I was thinking around 150 yards would be the max. Am I wrong?

The only deer I ever see be shot were with 30-30 rifles and 12 gauge shotguns, so I really don't know how hard this pistol will hit. Should I use the 158 grain bullet?

 

[roninflag]

i shoot the same gun. the three deer i have shot were 25 yards and under. the 140 is a good choice. a LOT of 296

 

[Kevin]

I use the 158gr. I only shot one deer with it and that was a finishing shot from about 20 yards. I am pushing the 158's at about 1500fps with a shorter barrel than you have. I guess I have always figured that 100 yards would be about as far as I would try a shot.

 

[zuba]

how good does it shoot? I think 100 yards is as far as I'd use it.

 

[BountyHunter]

I have a 357 Max in the Contender and 150-200 with 180s is pushing that.

I would plan on 100 yds and try the 180s.

Plus I think you said "drop" not trail for 2 miles.

BH

 

[AJ Peacock]

I shoot a 357 Max and use that bullet. I've had great luck with it. The farthest I've shot a deer with it is 110yds. Mine has a 2x scope on it though.

I'd say 100yds out of a 357mag revolver open sights is a reasonable upper limit.

I looked at silhouette shooter positions that really helped me shooting longer distances.

AJ

 

[justgoharder]

I would say as far as the 'hitting' power of your gun 150yrd would be doable. However, I know that for me personally there is absolutely no way i could accurately make well placed consistent shots with open sites on a handgun at anything much past 65-70yrds. So i would suggest that you take your load you are planning on hunting with a see how far you can make a consistent ethical shot - Long range is all relative! Good luck, and let us know how your range sessions pan out.

 

[old_heli_logger]

How far away can you hit a pie plate?....every time

 

[justgoto]

How far away can you hit a pie plate?....every time

I plan on getting a 2x scope or a back sight that elevates. But today I tried some 357's, (opposed to 38specials which I sighted it in with,) to see how far they would drop and mushroom at that range, (150 yards.)

YouTube - 357 Mag Shooting 150 Yards

Those shots appear to be hitting within an 8 inch circle; so hopefully when I get a more appropriate sight or scope, I will be able to hit a pie plate.


But as justgoharder mentioned, "'hitting' power" is my main concern. I wanted to know if the 140gr bullet was up to the task. And like BountyHunter reiterated, I really need the deer to "drop." Every deer I shot have simply dropped in it's tracks, didn't flinch, no movement at all, just collapsed. That is the way I want them all to go.

On that note.
Here is 5 of the 6 bullets, (I just couldn't find the 6th one,) in that video.

I found them about 8 to 12 inches in the bank, (it is kinda hard to know exactly how deep they actually were.)
These were 158gr Blazer's, and I feel those would do the job and suspect that the Hornady 140s, (since, (I assume,) the speed would be greater,) would fly more level and mushroom as much or more. I understand that wet, loose[ish] dirt isn't the best thing to use for terminal ballistics, but that is all I have.

The reason I want to use a pistol is that I don't trust my shotgun beyond 75 yards. I need rifling! I am not confortable shooting the shotgun beyond 50 yards at a deer. I want them to go as quickly as possible, with the least ammount of suffering as possible. I think I can acheve a more humane kill at longer distance with this pistol, (3 times the distance I am comfortable with with my shotgun.)

 

[old_heli_logger]

At 150 yds with open sights, that's some great shooting. You won't believe the difference a 2x scope will make. The heavier bullets should retain energy further...
Good luck!

 

[BountyHunter]

Sounds like you are in one of the "straight wall" pistol states such as Ohio or Illinois.

if so, you might want to consider a T/C Contender in 357 Max or the 300 Whisper with a heavy bullet to get a pass thru.

Super accuracy and hard hitting with the right bullet.

Mike Bellm rechambers the standard TC 357 into the Max. The normal TC max barrel has a reaaally long throat that gives poor accuracy. He uses a shorter throat reamer and they really shoot.

Plus you have the 41 mag, 45 LC and 44 Mag. I love the 45 LC/44 mag ruger bisley hunters. Accurate and will get pass thru for sure with heavier bullets.

Mike Bellm - Table of Contents

Watch what scope you get, eye relief can be critical.

Used Nikons are available for $100 normally off ebay and for the money are hard to beat. I like Burris, Nikon and the old TC in that order for pistols.

BH

BH

 

[justgoto]

Sounds like you are in one of the "straight wall" pistol states such as Ohio or Illinois.

Yep, Ohio.

The price of this gun was one I couldn't pass-up, so i am going to have to settle for this one until an affordable more suitable one presents itself.

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[justgoto]

Re: 357 Mag Pistol Deer Hunting...Range Report

I figured i would see if the fine tuning would get me to the 150 yard mark. it took 11 shots to hit the target then I didn't look where it hit I just shot the last 3 bullets I had and hit the steel with all 3. (The larger hit is 2 hits,) I adjusted it down one click since.

But my sight is at it's end in adjustment and might be a little weak at that point; so tomorrow I am going to set it for 100 yards after I try 3 38 specials and 3 357 mags at that setting... Then I'll save-up for a scope.

 

[Rimfire]

"I really need the deer to "drop." Every deer I shot have simply dropped in it's tracks, didn't flinch, no movement at all, just collapsed. That is the way I want them all to go."

It's time to stop then while you are ahead! Your combo can and will kill deer. As stated the 2x scope will make a world of difference. BUT as for clean DRT kills you are asking an awful lot of a handgun cartridge at 150 yard. And I can say with confidence you will have deer that run.