.357 Mag Handgun for deer?

[BigBuckVideo]

It is probably the smallest caliber that I would use personally. I would limit myself to shorter ranges though. The 44 mag would be a better all around choice to deer hunt with.

[VTbowman]

Do a search on this topic in this room. I asked this same question a few months ago. Handgunnr gave me a real good suggestion on which bullet to use, etc. But I never got around to buying them. I believe it was a Winchester NP load but forget the grain size... Sorry.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Here's the pic:


Here's the link to that page:
Winchester Supreme Partition Gold 180 Grain

As far as barrel length goes...I would probably stick to 6" or greater. I would use a 357 Mag at bow hunting ranges...Up to 35-40 yards. The 44Mag would be more effective at a longer range.

Here's the 357 Mag that I am looking at as a future purchase for up close and personal deer hunting:

[VTbowman]

Yep thats the load I was told to get!
But MAN the round looks like its 3" long!!! LOL

[hangunnr]

The best factory load I've come across is the Winchester load shown above. They're pricey but will perform well on critters.

hangunnr

[Modillo]

well here is the deal with the .357 mag. my grandpa took a nice 3 point a fewe years back with is single action ruger black hawk. he just used an everyday 158 gr. the deer took only one shot and gave up. the reason .357 mags are so effective is because of hydrostatic shock, your tradttional slug will produce alot of knock-down power. but it all depends on shot placement as well. he has evan kill deer with his 22 mag.
so it all depends on what you want in recoil, pwr, and the knock-down pwr as well.
44 mag is great never shot one but from what i have been told and lead to understand it is a great cal.
same with 45
modillo

[popgun]

Modillo, please read :
http://www.realtree.com/forums/showf.../page/0#528687

I have never heard of a rim-fire cartridge being legal in any State in these United States for deer hunting.

Please inform me as to which State, and the year your grandfather hunted deer with a rim-fire handgun. (I'm just curious) .....popgun

[popgun]

bigdaddy823, I don't know where you get your information, but a .22 mag. is a "Rimfire". .....popgun

[Modillo]

lol popgun it was not for sport when he did that and it was like 30 years ago. he did so him and his family can eat. and no big daddy 22mag is a center fire and the center fire 22 ur thinking of is a 22 hornet.