Pistol caliber hunting round?

[Handsome Rob]

I have a .357 Rossi carbine that I'm wanting to deer hunt with, but I'm unsure what I should use ammunition-wise?

Due to it being a handgun caliber, it seems that just about everything available is hollow point & I don't know if that will be OK out to 75yds (Don't even know if this maybe stretching things a bit) I've been advised that the Hornady Leverevolution would be ideal, but they seem to be pretty much unobtainable!

I know I'd be better off with a .243 or .270, but I'm on a tight budget & I don't know if rifle hunting is something I'll do more than once. I've bow hunted for 12 years, but gun-hunting larger game is totally new to me.

Can anyone offer any advice to a complete novice?

[mk19]

There would be a bit more knowledge in hunting section, but i think 357 mag should be fine for white tail or smaller game. I'd try the following ammo Federal Premium - Handgun Ballistics

Edit: sorry broken link, i meant for Federal Premium with Barnes Expander.

Edited November 2, 2009 by mk19

[Guest grimel]

On the assumption you don't reload, find a 158+gr JSP or JHP. If you can find Buffalo Bore hunting ammo with a cast bullet (this won't be cheap, but it's GREAT ammo) it would be better. You'll be fine. Well placed 158gr 357mag has been killing whitetails for decades.

Oh, you could use the Cor-bon DPX. Remember we don't have big deer around here. FWIW, I have a friend who kills a couple bucks every year with a Marlin Camp 9 using whatever 147gr JHP he can find.

[Guest 1shot]

In a rifle a 357 mag will take deer pretty well out to 100 yards. I shoot a T/C Contender pistol with a 10" barrel and I have taken deer with it out to 107 yards. As for ammo I hand load the 180 gr Hornady XTP HP bullet. But for factory ammo try to find Winchester 180 gr. Supreme Partition Gold. If you can't find that go with 158 gr Hornady XTP JHP or Speer Gold Dot 158 gr HP ammo. These bullets open up really well and hold together to get deep inside the vitals. Treat that rifle like a bow shot. Stay out of the shoulder bone and take a heart, lung shot.

[Handsome Rob]

Thanks guys, lots of good info there.

[Good_Steward]

Rob, I know that rifle very well. I would recommend the 158gr or 180gr Hornady XTP's in +P or +P+. They don't really act like a true hollow point at the much higher velocities they achieve from that longer barrel, from my experience loading and testing them. By the way, you have nothing to worry about deer hunting with that round.

[Guest 22-rimfire]

Use the rifle and just keep your shots at a reasonable distance. No 200 yds shots. Yes to the 158 gr SP's or 180 gr stuff. You know where to shoot them.

By choosing your hunting location, distances can be limited due to cover. Think woods hunting, not some field where you will be tempted to take a 200 yds shot.

[dats82]

I really would not worry too much about it. I know people who kill deer all the time with a .22. Obviously this is not legal, but my point is that a well placed shot will get the job done for sure.