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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127 |
I didn't really buy it for hunting but was wondering what it's effective range would be on deer. I bought it for a self defense gun to carry hiking with me or just have in the truck if needed. I just liked the feel and the way it pointed for me. I can shoot it well enough to double lung a deer at 30 yards or so, maybe even 50. Is it adequate in killing power at that range? It has the 3in barrel.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
I'm sure a well placed shot would kill a deer since even a 22 LR would. I also think a 6" barreled version would be much better.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127 |
I'm sure a well placed shot would kill a deer since even a 22 LR would. I also think a 6" barreled version would be much better. I'm sure a longer barrel would help. I don't know anyone that has shot a deer with a .357. I know several that have shot deer with a .44 mag but this .357 fits my hand better and is easier to carry. It's mostly gonna be just carried anyway. I will shoot some snakes and such and have it just in case.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284 |
I didn't really buy it for hunting but was wondering what it's effective range would be on deer. I bought it for a self defense gun to carry hiking with me or just have in the truck if needed. I just liked the feel and the way it pointed for me. I can shoot it well enough to double lung a deer at 30 yards or so, maybe even 50. Is it adequate in killing power at that range? It has the 3in barrel. The cartridge is probably adequate to 100 yards, though I've never killed a deer with a .357. The GP100 is a good gun and supposedly barrel length doesn't affect accuracy. It does affect how accurately a given shooter can shoot the gun though and IMO a 6" barrel would be very preferable for shooting deer. All that said, it all depends on how accurate you are with the gun and load.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
I'm sure a well placed shot would kill a deer since even a 22 LR would. I also think a 6" barreled version would be much better. I'm sure a longer barrel would help. I don't know anyone that has shot a deer with a .357. I know several that have shot deer with a .44 mag but this .357 fits my hand better and is easier to carry. It's mostly gonna be just carried anyway. I will shoot some snakes and such and have it just in case. I have a friend who has killed a truck load of deer with a 6" 357 S&W. He carries it along with a rifle and when a big doe gets close enough under the stand, he uses the 357. I guess he figures does are more sporting with a revolver.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66 |
I've shot 3 feral pigs with a 357 mag using buffalo bore 180gr factory loads and it worked well. They were all small (sub 150#) and inside 40 yards which is about my max range w an iron-sight handgun.
Based on the results I would feel fine using that combo on a whitetail. Gun was a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127 |
I'm sure a well placed shot would kill a deer since even a 22 LR would. I also think a 6" barreled version would be much better. I'm sure a longer barrel would help. I don't know anyone that has shot a deer with a .357. I know several that have shot deer with a .44 mag but this .357 fits my hand better and is easier to carry. It's mostly gonna be just carried anyway. I will shoot some snakes and such and have it just in case. I have a friend who has killed a truck load of deer with a 6" 357 S&W. He carries it along with a rifle and when a big doe gets close enough under the stand, he uses the 357. I guess he figures does are more sporting with a revolver. That's kinda what I had in mind, I'm not gonna use it for my primary weapon. One day I may get one with a longer barrel for more serious hunting.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127 |
I've shot 3 feral pigs with a 357 mag using buffalo bore 180gr factory loads and it worked well. They were all small (sub 150#) and inside 40 yards which is about my max range w an iron-sight handgun.
Based on the results I would feel fine using that combo on a whitetail. Gun was a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk.
Thanks for the load info, I'll have to check those loads out.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 462
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 462 |
The 357 mag will be as efffective as the range you can shoot that lil thing accurately. I have a GeeP with a 6" barrel and wouldn't hesitate for one second an a 50 yard shot. 16 grains of H110 behind a 158 XTP
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,813
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,813 |
My FIL has killed several whitetails with a S&W 686 6" and some pretty warm 158 Gold Dot loads I cooked up for him.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 702
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 702 |
After seeing what they can do on 25 yard deer I feel my 180gr XTP handloads wouldn't have a problem punching thru a deer at 50 yards from my 4" barrel. Beyond that??? All depends if you think one hole is good enough or you think you need two holes.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
The 357 Magnum will kill any deer with a good 158 gr bullet as far out as you can put them in the lungs. I like a Four inch barrel , even tho my GP100 is a 6 inch. As far as the 3 inch for deer most states require a 4 inch barrel or longer for Big Game Hunting . Check your laws
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127 |
The 357 Magnum will kill any deer with a good 158 gr bullet as far out as you can put them in the lungs. I like a Four inch barrel , even tho my GP100 is a 6 inch. As far as the 3 inch for deer most states require a 4 inch barrel or longer for Big Game Hunting . Check your laws I hadn't thought of the laws. I have never hunted with a pistol before so I thank Ya'll for the info!!
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 298
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 298 |
My father has taken several deer with his 686, out to 90 yards without a problem. I plan on getting one for deer and fun.
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