Question: .357 Magnum for mule deer?
I know the .357 is probably too light for mule deer, but it's what I have, and it's a heck of a lot easier to carry when I'm on a ten or fifteen-mile hike than any of my long guns. Sure if I'm specifically going hunting, I'll use my 700 Remington in 7 mag, but if I'm primarily hiking, I'd still like to have something along just in case an easy shot presents itself. The gun is a Ruger Blackhawk with a six and a half inch barrel. I do reload, so what load would you guys recommend for game of this size? Thanks.
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i dont know the answer to your question for sure but if you get as close to the deer as i get to the half dozen mule deer that eat on my silage and 300 bushel of shelled corn piled right by it for my calves every evening it dang sure would work.....i just about have to beat them in the head with my scope shovel to get them out of the way...not complaining i really enjoy them that close up to my place.
doc0 -
From what I'm told, you can out to about 50 yards. There are some commercial hunting loads specifically designed for the 357. Remington has one. You might want to try that out first before working up a handload.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
Maybe you should go with a Thompson Condender in a more potent round. If a Ruger is your choice then go with the .41 or .44 mag much better than the .357mag. My 2 cents. 0 -
I recall seeing a section in one of my handloading books for loading the .357mag for a rifle. When I get home I see if I can find it. I think it was in the Lyman 47th manual. 0 -
?IF hiking is so hard how are you going to get the deer once you kill it. get a old army rifle 7mm or 8mm they are pretty easy to find an in most states legal to make into to a high power pistol. don't forget to PORT the barrel.
rusty1
Edited by - rusty1 on 11/12/2002 18:07:16
Edited by - rusty1 on 11/12/2002 18:08:390 -
Rusty1, While it may be easy enough to make a mauser into a pistol, it is illegal to do so and will get you 10 years in prison if memory serves.....
A man with a gun is a CITIZEN, a man without a gun is a subject.0 -
Richbug thats why i mention legal in some states i saw them in a sports magazine some years ago thats how i learned about them maybe it takes a permit or something but i would not try to get any one in trouble. i know saw off weapons are illegal but you can get permits for class III stuff. SORRY IF OFFENDED YOU RUSTY1
rusty1
Edited by - rusty1 on 11/12/2002 14:35:180 -
It would be best to keep it with in 30 yards or so. With a 6" barrel, it's going to be hard enough to hit the vital part of the animal, and the size of the mulie wouldn't make it much more humane. 0 -
Maybe look into a Winchester 94 Ranger Compact .30-30win. Light and handy, with enough firepower. 0 -
Elmer Keith max loads: 15gr H2400 160 gr bullet & 14.5gr H2400 for 173 gr solid bullet. Bullet diameter is .358" 0 -
Thanks one and all for your replies. Yes, I agree with most of you that a .41 or .44 mag would be better, but as I said, the .357 is what I have now. I've thought about carrying my 94 Winchester
or 336 Marlin, both in 30-30, but I use a hiking stick, and I want to keep one hand free. Since I carry a backpack, a sling doesn't work very well unless I secure it to the pack, and that makes it rather difficult to use the gun in a hurry. I'll try the Keith max loads and limit my shots to thirty yards. Heck, it's bound to be better than throwing rocks or trying to hit them on the head with a shovel.0 -
I feel the 357 has plenty of power for those close range shots. I use one when Im hunting in heavy brush here in the west when my rifle just gets hung up with every step !! 0 -
I feel the 357 has plenty of power for those close range shots. I use one when Im hunting in heavy brush here in the west when my rifle just gets hung up with every step !! 0 -
There are a couple of silhouette loads that are listed in the Speer book (#12) for .357 Magnum but those are for the T/C Contender. The problem with them is the cartridge overall length (COL) may be too long for the cylinder of your revolver. I don't know, I haven't tried them yet.
I'm going to make a dummy load following their specs for 180 grain XTP bullets, and see if it will fit in my Dan Wesson. If it does, hallelujah! If not, I'm going to fall back on the 158 grain JHP listed for the standard .357 Magnums (not silhouette load). According to the book, "The velocity increase compared to the heavier bullets will usually offset the difference in weight."
I'll let you know what happens with it.
Big Al0
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