.357 Ruger rifle for deer hunting...

I know several people that use 357 mag and 44 mag lever guns for deer hunting. Inside of 100 years you should have no problem with it if you put the bullet where it needs to go.

Mr. Chitlin said:

I know several people that use 357 mag and 44 mag lever guns for deer hunting. Inside of 100 years you should have no problem with it if you put the bullet where it needs to go.

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Thats a long time to use a gun! :fit:

That looks like a sweet little carbine. I've always thought they should come out with a .357 version of the .44 Deerfield carbine.

I figure it would do fine for deer,But I like something with a little more punch myself.Is it going to be for a kid?

10pointman said:

Thats a long time to use a gun! :fit:

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Take care oif it and it will last a long time. :thumb:

(Darn spelling nazi's...)

Rugers...

10pointman said:

I figure it would do fine for deer,But I like something with a little more punch myself.Is it going to be for a kid?

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I like the compact guns. There light and easy to carry in rough terrain and on stalk hunts. They pull up easy and they don't hang past the fenders on my old Honda. But i'm like you, I also prefer a little more knock down. I've been looking at a Ruger compact magnum in .338 RCM http://ruger.com/products/m77RugerCompactMagnum/specSheets/7193.html or the Ruger laminate compact in .308 WIN http://ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeLaminateCompact/specSheets/17110.html for myself. The little .357 I'm asking about is something I might use for myself but yes its something I am considering for the kids. I have been considering an H&R .243 or a Rossi tri-fecta with the .243 rifle barrel. But I love Rugers and that .357 has me rethinking a rifle the kids could use.


Miketyson26 :flag:

I carry my short range firearms when hunting in the thick stuff. I have 2 44Mag carbines, one with a 1x4 scope and one with iron sights. I know my limitations and accept them. I like them because they are light and compact for the thick stuff, same as when I carry a 30/30 or 35 Remington. When hunting the fields I'll carry a centerfire bolt gun.

You'll also find that the 357 will have almost no recoil and it will be a lot of fun for the kids to shoot. If you hand load you can down load to where there is basically zero recoil. Gives the young ones lots of good trigger time without them developing a flinch.

One thing to keep in mind with the 16.5" 308 is that there will be considerable velocity loss vs a 20 or 22" barrel. It will get you down in to the 300 Savage/7.62x39 velocity range, which isn't bad, just something to keep in mind.

ruger already had a m77 version inn 44 mag. saw a couple in gun shops. i'd love one in 357

10pointman said:

Thats a long time to use a gun! :fit:

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He's just grumpy cause he's been shoot'em that long.....

.357 bullets usually top out at 158 grains. If you hand load, you can use 35 caliber (.358) bullets between 180 and 250 grains and use spire points if you wish.

I borrowed a 357 lever action rifle for my 7 year old son to get him started deer hunting. He loved shooting the gun at the range. The first hunt he shot a deer with it he hit a big doe in the shoulder & she took off never to be seen again. The next morning a doe & a button buck came in. I told him to shoot the button buck this time. He hit the deer a little far back but he only went 30 yards & was done. So I think it is an excellent rifle for getting little one's started shooting & hunting. The gun will kill a deer if the shot placement is right but most times it will not leave a good blood trail which is needed where we hunt(pines).

I'd rather have this...
http://remington.com/product-families/firearms/centerfire-families/autoloading-model-750.aspx

i have a 357 lever gun,there have been 4 deer taken with the rifle,the odlest person I have allowed to use it was 12yrs old. I have no complaints on blood trails or damage nor has there been a need for a follow up shot. However I handload my ammo and you can really crank up the 357mag rifle I load the 158grn hornadys movin at a speed getting close to that of a 30-30

Anyone know the best price for hornadys?