Experiences with .357 Mag on Deer?

[Lanyard Stretcher]

I am totally sold on the Model 92, I love the way it carries, shoulders and cycles. I'm thinking of a .357 to go with my Vaquero. What are your experiences in taking deer with this caliber? My hunting style is to sneak through the brush still hunting, sometimes getting a close shot but usually getting busted .




Mike

[TedH]

A lot of folks do just fine with the 357 on deer. I like a 180 gr. cast bullet with a wide flat nose, traveling about 1800 fps. Any 158 gr. or heavier SOFT point should do fine if kept within reasonable range. For me that is 75 yards or less. Others will stretch that out a bit further. Would not recommend any type of hollow point. They are not designed for the velocity you will generate with the rifle and will break apart, limiting penetration.

I shot this whitetail square in the shoulder with that 180 gr. cast bullet from about 60 yards. He dropped in his tracks.

[slimster]

I've only shot one deer with mine so far, a small "meat" doe, but the 158 gr. Federal s.p. went T'nT, and she went down right there. But I have shot several coyotes with it and a factory 125 gr. s.p. makes a right good mess of them!

[Tycer]

I like flat point 180s. Work great to 100+yards. They carry plenty of energy for much longer shots, but you better know exactly the trajectory in YOUR gun.

[pharmseller]

See this thread:

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... f=1&t=3573

Quinn

[Str8man]

I've been gone awhile (too much work) but I have shot 7 or 8 deer with an original 92 rifle that was rebored or sleeved to 357 sometime back in the 50's.
I inherited it from my Grandfather who had the work done in the 50's.
I believe it was originally a 32-20.
They have all been one shot kills.
I will admit though that they were all either neck or head shots.
That rifle is deadly accurate.
I use Winchester Silvertips.
They are a little hotter and shoot high so I had to re-adjust my sights.
I am still using the same box of silvertips I bought 10 years ago and still have about 25 of them left. The others were used for sighting in.
It is deadly on deer though.

[rjohns94]

'92 .357 with 180grainers will do the job if you do yours. good luck.

[Lanyard Stretcher]

Thanks guys, good info.

Mike

[Andrew]

Ahh, familiar looking woods... Nice deer.

Lanyard that is a nice looking '92 you have there.

[Lanyard Stretcher]

Thanks. My 1892 was made in 1910. It has some rough wood and was rebarreled at some time as 32-20 Win. She shoots well. I really like the way 92s handle and carry.


Mike

[MikeNV]

In the last 2 years I have taken 1 mule deer @ 100 yds and an antelope @ 125 yds using 16.5grs of H110 w/ 158 Hornady XTP FP bullet out of a Marlin 1894C w/ 18.5" barrel. I had complete penetration on both animals. The mule deer dropped in its tracks (breaking the off side shoulder just before exiting) the antelope made it about 20 yds and collapsed. I really believe that the .357 mag out of a rifle is a completely different animal when used out of a rifle..... I have had jack rabbits explode at 25-30 yd shots... truely amazing.

[danthegunman]

My son shot this deer with a Winchester 94AE .357 Mag. at 50 yds.

[El Chivo]

Somebody should try the .357 with the Barnes XPB bullet, fearsome the way the petals expand, and I bet you can get wicked velocity with only 140 grains to push.

I just bought a supply of the bullets to try in 35 Rem, will probably try some in .357 as well but that's next year's project...

[AndyM]

I shot one deer with the .357. It was a small whitetail doe at about 25 yds. I used Remington green box 180 gr. and had complete penetration. This was with a S&W 6" 586 handgun. Out of a rifle - I would try the Hornady 180 - those XTP seem to be built to withstand alot and still hold together.

[Old Ironsights]

110yds on the run. Blew his shoulder to hamburger.



180gr hard cast at 1800fps.

[Birdman]

Iron sights and lever guns are just plain fun. That 357 in a rifle is a mighty fine combo.

[O.S.O.K.]

180 Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot - H110 or W296 - 1800 fps from a carbine = fine deer medicine. I personally wouldn't push that much beyond 100 yards but you probably won't have to.

[mudgunner49]

110yds on the run. Blew his shoulder to hamburger.



180gr hard cast at 1800fps.

Is that 180 gr cast a gas-checked number or plain based??


thx

blake

[Old Ironsights]

Is that 180 gr cast a gas-checked number or plain based??
blake

Gas Checked.

Essentially the handload equivelent of the Buffalo Bore 180.

[mudgunner49]

Is that 180 gr cast a gas-checked number or plain based??
blake

Gas Checked.

Essentially the handload equivelent of the Buffalo Bore 180.

Do you cast those yourself or are they a commercial bullet?? I tried some from Beartooth but a bit on the pricey side for any kind of volume. I guess I'll have to break down and buy a mold...


blake

[Old Ironsights]

Is that 180 gr cast a gas-checked number or plain based??
blake

Gas Checked.

Essentially the handload equivelent of the Buffalo Bore 180.

Do you cast those yourself or are they a commercial bullet?? I tried some from Beartooth but a bit on the pricey side for any kind of volume. I guess I'll have to break down and buy a mold...

blake

I cast my own. I have a 6 hole Lee and a custom Mountian Mold. I haven't tried the custom yet, but if it works I'll be selling the Lee.

[Hillbilly]

the small buck I shot with my Marlin found the simple Remington round nose lead, 158 grains no match at about 60 yards

I was trying a lung /heart shot and would up breaking his back and shoulders... he dropped in less than ten steps.

Hill