.357, what for?

Randy, Always liked this photo...good one

a shot in the ass is a shot in the ass, whether it is a 44 magnum or a 357 Magnum. The 357 Mag requires perfect placement for a good clean one shot kill. Anything else means a long tracking session.

In Al Goerg's book he relates a story from D.B. Wesson of S&W. When the 357 Magnum first came out he used it to take Moose, antelope, bull elk, and even a grizzly with the then brand new 357 Magnum, Each kill was a single shot. Now, I realize the early loadings were a bit stiff, one loading was even called the 357 Atomic. But still it is a 357 Magnum. I don't understand how he did this but assuming each story was true it came down to 2 words. Bullet placement.

I tried out a 6" Python with open sights on deer way back in the late 60s and the only thing I can say was my bullet placement must have been off as each deer I hit went down and immediately got back up again and hauled ass. Finally after spending full days tracking wounded deer, I gave up on the 357. Now if you have an 8 3/8" Model 27 like Randy Barnett has above and you have a scope on it to help you put the bullet where it needs to be, then I say go for it. Or a Contender with a scope. But other than that unless you are a really good shot and can put that bullet within an inch of where it should be no matter the range, the weather or the type of terrain, then leave the 357 Magnum home.

I have used Super blackhawks and 8" Dan Wesson model 15-2. A Marlin 94 in .357 and killed deer with them. I use hard cast long flat nose bullets. Mucho penetration out to 60 yards. Haven't shot one further. 90 yards with a Contender 357 Max.