357 mag for short range deer?

Im sure the 357 would work. I know someone on this forum who owns one, and I want to borrow it for pushing bush. Fast action, good short range power. Why wouldnt it be a good bush gun?
 
.357 as a short range deer rifle

... Considering that the .357 from a revolver (average 4" barrel?) is considered a reliable performer in self defense situations, a deer weighs close enough to the same, so out of a rifle with barrel longer than that of a revolver, it'd work just fine ! Ranges would obviously be limited, but with minimal recoil and cheap practice ammunition, be it .38Spl. or 357 Magnum, second shots would be easy and there's no reason that the first shot wouldn't be well placed ! ...... Plus, it'd be a fun gun to play with at the Range ! .... Reloading for either caliber is both easy and cheap as a bonus ! ..... David K.:)
 
I took two deer with a Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum many years ago. I found it terribly underpowered even with good shots. The deer were dead enough but they didn't know it right away. And it sure didn't overwhelm them into staying put after being shot. Both died and I got them within 100 yards or so. I retired the rifle though and went to a .45 Colt carbine. Shot two with that and a huge difference. It had the power to anchor them. No more .357 for me, your experiences might be different.
 
and, with commercially available shot shells for it, its a good all around little packer in the bush... from Grouse to deer, and black bear over bait for example... It would definately work, but as casull said, a 45 colt might have a bit more oomph...
 
.... While I think (no personal experience) that the .357 Magnum would be adequate, for serious hunting, there are better choices ! ..... David K.
 
Should work great! I'd keep my shots to within 50 yards if possible, 75 if I had a great look at a broadside shot.

Bullet construction is key. The 125 JHP or JSP is nearly perfect for people, but I wouldn't trust it to get through deer ribs at 75 yards. Maybe look at the 158 grain Barnes pistol X bullets, or another solidly-constructed 158 grain hollow point.
 
Yup, the load's well above handgun max, but easily in the realm of the 1894, and uses small rifle primers. I won't discuss the loads so please don't ask folks. ;) It's easy though, just find the max pistol loads and follow appropriate workups procedures. A lot of carbines aren't stronger than a strong revolver though, I'd limit these loads to 1894's, T/C's, and maybe a Trapper.
 
357 Mag Rifle (From http://www.hodgdon.com/)
150 GR. NOS JFP 150 H110 .357" 1.590" 16.0 1766 23,600 CUP
Max
150 GR. NOS JFP 150 H110 .357" 1.590" 17.0 1807 28,900 CUP

For comparison 44-40 Rifle

200 GR. LEAD RNFP 200 Titegroup .428" 1.600" 5.0 956 8,400 PSI
Max
200 GR. LEAD RNFP 200 Titegroup .428" 1.600" 6.2 1117 12,900 PSI



30-30 Win
170 GR. SIE FP 170 BL-C(2) .308" 2.550" 32.5 2048 27,900 CUP

Max
170 GR. SIE FP 170 BL-C(2) .308" 2.550" 36.0 2227 34,700 CUP

The max loads above are near Sammi max loads, and listed as max loads by Hogdon
So yes, the 357 Mag would make a decent short range deer cartridge. I'd want to study it's down range performance before shooting much over 100 yards though.
My experience with "Max" indicates that with some rifles, and some cartridges, (the 44-40 is a perfect example) 'Max' is a joke. However, max was designed to keep older rifles that may have problems, and their owners, in one piece. You're on your own if you push the limits.
My experience with the 44-40, at least in my rifle, is that it doesn't have the twist rate to stabilize bullets much faster than 'max' and accuracy suffers
 
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