.357 Mag Rifle Hunting

kmittleman · Dec 9, 2017

engineerbrian said:
Great thread!!!

I picked up some Buffalo Bore ammo last year just for this, i really want to hunt with my .357 mag rifle.

I think this ammo will do it.

This was exactly my plan for this past opening day. 1894c and that same load. But, I chickened out and used my .30-30 instead. Waiting to see how others fare with the .357 carbine on deer. :brows:

Doco Overboard · Dec 9, 2017

danb said:
But this can be said of anything. I've seen deer hit square from a 12ga slug gun at under 20 yards multiple times and still refuse to die. I pulled a three week old slug out of a large buck once. On the other hand, I've hit deer with my bow and dropped them on the spot. Sometimes slugs dont expand, and sometimes bucks are so amped up on rut energy they don't know that they are supposed to be dead.

OK, so knowing that how well will a 357 perform? A 2 3/4 ounce foster slug has about the same energy in ft lbs at 50 yards than does a 357 at the muzzle.
I only have one load manual out of three with me that mentions 357 for deer and it advises for small deer at less than 100yds. (rifle data) which is what the op wants to do because of neighboring properties and other concerns.
I never killed a deer with a 357 but I have killed many with my 44 revolver and marlin rifle in the same caliber. I think a 357 would be good for close in shots on deer I just wouldn't have high expectations for a quick kill on a big one if it came along.
Once he shoots some deer with it he'll know what it does well and what it does not.

lazarus · Dec 9, 2017

I think you might mean a 1oz Foster slug. What is a 2 3/4oz foster slug? A 6gauge? Lol.

That or a 2 3/4”.

Yeah. MD still says 1200ft-lbs at the muzzle. Some hotter .357 loads manage that in a rifle length barrel. Barely. A lot of people differ on what is ethical for deer, but I’ve seen 700-800ft-lbs by the time the projectile meets the deer. Of course most pistols have less than that by the time they do.

A .357 is still going to slow down fast. Inside a 100yds kind of gun. Not my first choice to possibly be range limited, but it is what it is and I have guns that are more for fun then good for hunting with.

Bisleyfan44 · Dec 11, 2017

http://www.ppu-usa.com/ppu/357-magnum/

http://pmcammo.com/product/bronze-357a/

https://www.aguilaammo.com/centerfire/#pistoltab

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=20

http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=357mag

https://underwoodammo.com has 4 different loads that exceed 700 ft/lbs

http://www.doubletapammo.net has 5 different loads that exceed 700 ft/lbs

The list goes on and on. You can find several loads that meet MD minimum from a handgun. I've used several of the above successfully. The Buffalo Bore 180 grain cast load shows 1850 fps from an 18.5" Marlin and their chart lists 1294 ft/lbs for that bullet going 1800 fps and 1442 ft/lbs with the bullet @ 1900 fps. So splitting the difference would put you at 1370 ft/lbs or so at the 1850 fps listed velocity. Way more than enough to meet MD's rifle regs.

And on another note, foot pounds of energy don't kill animals. Bullet weight, diameter, velocity, and bullet design all play a role, but most importantly is placement followed by penetration. I've lost count of the deer I've killed with my 357 Blackhawk with Remington's 158 gr SJHP. It's nowhere near MD-legal by numbers, but on broadside shots out to 50 yards they make 2 holes in the deer and turn the stuff in between into jelly. You have to place your bullet in the right spot and that bullet has to be capable of getting to the vitals and preferably out the other side. It's kind of a pet peeve of mine when people, generally without any first hand experience at all, condemn a cartridge as inadequate when it is perfectly capable of fine performance when the shooter does his part. Good luck with your 357 rifle. Know your limitations, the 357s limits, and it'll work every time as long as you do your part.

Doco Overboard · Dec 11, 2017

lazarus said:
I think you might mean a 1oz Foster slug. What is a 2 3/4oz foster slug? A 6gauge? Lol.

Thanks for pointing that out to the group! I hope none of the other readers became as confused as you did by reading that

dreadpirate · Dec 11, 2017

For that matter just use an M1 carbine.

Supervel · Dec 13, 2017

Been years since I ran 357 rifle loads over my Chrono but I do remember that the
heavier loads I used exceeded the 1200FtLb level that MD required. Rifle was a Marlin
w 20" barrel, again relying on memory. I'll keep an eye
out for that old loadbook on my shelves. One note of caution, If you load heavy for your rifles
mark your "Rifle Only" loads. I use red sharpie on the primers. If someone came upon your rifle
loads unmarked and tried them in a revolver it could be a serious disaster.

Regards, Supervel

kalister1 · Dec 13, 2017

22 LR and 22 Mag are the preferred round of the poacher. Shot placement is key.

Snav · Dec 14, 2017

Blacksmith101 said:
You can hunt deer in Maryland with a handgun but it has to make at least 700 Ft-Lbs. muzzle energy out of a minimum 6" barrel and a quick look at Ammo & Ballistics does not show the .357 Magnum making that thresh hold. Among the more common calibers you would need .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .480 Ruger or .50 caliber.

Correction: Aguila makes .357 Magnum ammo that is advertised to be 838 Ft-Lbs. muzzle energy.
https://www.aguilaammo.com/centerfire/#pistoltab

MD hunting regs showing ammo requirements:
http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/white-tailed-deer-seasons-bag-limits/

Years ago they didn't make an exception to the 1200ft/lb rule but only .357 maximum had printed ballistics that complied. Since black powder started gaining popularity they relaxed the requirement to 700, still pretty stout. But, since were now using a rifle, no joy, have to get the 1200'#.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html is useful in getting a handle on what's practical.

I use Buffalo bore Heavy 45colt +P 300gr JFP which gets 1170'# from my ruger and almost 1500'# in my '94 trapper.

Snav · Dec 14, 2017

danb said:
But this can be said of anything. I've seen deer hit square from a 12ga slug gun at under 20 yards multiple times and still refuse to die. I pulled a three week old slug out of a large buck once. On the other hand, I've hit deer with my bow and dropped them on the spot. Sometimes slugs dont expand, and sometimes bucks are so amped up on rut energy they don't know that they are supposed to be dead.

I've shot a dear that dropped on the spot with one pellet of 00 and a friends son took one on a depredation permit out his back door with a .22 from an AR7, OTOH I hit one with a .280 that sounded like a bat hitting a carpet that we tracked for two hours before spooking it from where it was bedding and it was shot by a hunter down the hill.

BossmanPJ · Dec 14, 2017

A lot of good information here guys. Thanks for all of the recommendations. Like stated a few posts ago, I now have a .45 Colt Rifle as well and will be buying a box of Buffalo Bore for it.

I currently have 2 types of ammo that meet the requirements for .357. Federal 158 and Buffalo Bore. We will see how it goes in January. I am 100% confident in doing my part.

Doco Overboard · Dec 14, 2017

About 7.2 Lbs of energy per grain for a 158 gr. projectile with a .177 SD at 1800 fps. according to published short range tables

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