I bought a nice Ruger SP101 357 mag with a 2.25" barrel. I am planning on using this pistol for backup and personal protection. I have handgun hunted with a 44mag and 454mag successfully in the past, but they both have an 8" barrel or longer.

Years ago I was in a tree stand with my 30-06 and the Deer came in on the wrong side. I pointed the rifle at the Deer and missed. I did not have a pistol with me at the time or the deer would have been in the freezer.

My question is do you think that a 2.25" 357 mag has enough power to kill a deer if the bullet is placed properly? Also what weight of bullet do you think I should use. I am thinking on something in the 110 to 125gr range to keep the kick down. I realize that the distance will have to be kept to a minimum lets say 25yrds or less.

Btw 357mag is legal in Kansas to Deer hunt with.

I think that it would be acceptable as a backup with limited potential use. I would still go with the 158 grain XTP though. I use my 357 GP100 all the time, but it has a 6" barrel and adjustable sights. I also use 180 grain bullets.

The short barrel Ruger is a great carry gun ,NOT a deer hunting gun.
IMO it can kill a deer but like the 180 gr Hornady XTP for deer in a 357 mag.
IF you try it on deer why wory about recoil ,1 shot make the most of it.
The 110 -125 gr bullets can produce a large shallow wound ( FBI found this out in Miami in a shoot out) that is not fatal.
I would not try your setup on deer.
I would
1 Want a larger cal. if posable
2 A longer barrel
3 A heaver bullet

I use a Dan Wesson Model 15 357 with a 10" barrel and a Red dot sight if I hunt with a 357 , most of the time it is a 44 or 454

Johnch

Swede,
It's certainly NOT what I would pick!

That said, will it work? I'll answer a qualified yes. It will depend on your ability/range to keep all shots inside a 3" radius from point of aim. My range would be more like 25 FEET, not yards.
And, I would likely go with at least a 158gr bullet (even up to 200gr) for the added penetration/momentum factor. Don't worry about the recoil, you're only talking about one or two shots.
I would classify this more as a stunt, than a reasonable practice. A 2-3" barreled .357 Mag is more suitable for a Coup de Gras, than as a hunting handgun.
You say you have a .44 and a .454, why not just carry one of those????

I have a Dan Wesson 357 with a 6 & 8" barrel. I will be carrying a 300 WIN MAG for by deer hunting rifle. I have tried to use a shoulder holster and a 6" pistol but find it to heavy due to back surgery. I bought the pistol for a backup and to finish off a deer I hit with the rifle. Some times the deer are to close to pickup with the scope that is where the pistol comes in handy. I am concerned that even with proper bullet placement with a 2.5" barrel it may not have sufficient power to make a humane kill. If I only hunt with a pistol it will be one with a longer barrel.

Of course it will work give certain conditions. Are you willing to live within those limitations? I would use (for all purposes) heavier bullets in the 140-158 gr. weight range. Recoil and muzzle blast are apparently not considerations since you've chosen this particular gun and have experience with much heavier guns. I do think tht you want to carry the same ammo all the time. If you follow the old saw of limiting yourself to the range at which you can always put a bullet into a 6" circle you should be fine.

Hobie

Thanks for the reply, next question is what type of bullet do you recomend in the 140-158gr. A Hornady XTP or A Jacketed soft point for this 2.25" pistol. I will take your advice on the 6" circle restriction. I havent had a chance to shoot it but if it is not to windy I plan on trying Saturday.

I would try to duplicate the shot at the deer you missed with your rifle. Set up something that is similar in every way, height difference, angle ,etc. .See how well you would have done with the SP 101. If you have better hunting handguns try them also. Choose after your test, you wouldn't want to kick yourself if another similar shot presents it self.If you must choose the SP 101 use 158 grain SP, not HP.

I would use the 158 gr soft point if you want a bullet in that range

Johnch

The 158 gr. Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot are 2 HPs that are suitable for the velocities you'll get out of the abbreviated revolver barrel. E.g. the 158 gr. Hornady XTP-SP is intended for much higher velocities than is the XTP-HP. Some folks don't like the Hornady (whatever their reason) and if that is your feeling use the Speer.

If you don't like to use handloads in your carry gun (I think that issue is a false one) then there are factory loads using these bullets. Get a quantity with which to practice as well as for carry use.

The limiting factor with the short barreled revolver is more a matter of accuracy which is related to the short sight radius and your ability.

Thanks Hobie I will try the Hornady XTP bullets they are what I shoot in my other handguns and muzzleloader they have performed excellently for me over the years.

I buy very few factory rounds I don't think they are any better than any of my Custom loads. Reloading has gotten a bad rep for reasons unknown to me.

My friend would only use factory loads for hunting, but done all of his shooting with reloads which never made sense to me. I finally convinced him that a properly worked up Custom load (I don’t like to call them reloads it sounds like something not made with any thought of precision) was as good as or better than anything the factory can make.

I have taken 3 whitetail does with a 2 1/2 inch Ruger Security Six using my carry load of the 145 gn Silvertip Magnum (357 Mag). Each doe dropped in its tracks. But the longest shot was 15 yrds....................................JJ

I will side with JJ miller on this one I carry 145 silver tips in my 357s they give more pentraion then the 125 or 110s and they still expand.

You can kill a deerwith it as far as you can place the bullet into the lungs and heart. useing it as a back up hunting gun as you described well be just fine.

SOme good advice, here's mine. I would not choose a .357mag as a primary deer rig, in any version. If you only have the little sp101, & feel you need to use it, then I would load a 140gr-158gr JHP or 158grLFP & try for a double lung or spine shot from above. Prepare for some tracking though. A 125grJSP might give you a quicker kill if you get the double lung but if you don't?

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I will side with JJ miller on this one I carry 145 silver tips in my 357s they give more pentraion then the 125 or 110s and they still expand.

You can kill a deerwith it as far as you can place the bullet into the lungs and heart. useing it as a back up hunting gun as you described well be just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by Hobie:
Of course it will work give certain conditions. Are you willing to live within those limitations? I would use (for all purposes) heavier bullets in the 140-158 gr. weight range. Recoil and muzzle blast are apparently not considerations since you've chosen this particular gun and have experience with much heavier guns. I do think tht you want to carry the same ammo all the time. If you follow the old saw of limiting yourself to the range at which you can always put a bullet into a 6" circle you should be fine.

These guys are correct.

If you don't handload, or don't wanna, Winchester makes a 180g Partition Gold handgun hunting load that is by personal experience devastating on deer. It DOES have awesome recoil (for a .357 load), but as you shoot a 44 and above it should be no big deal.

It's not like you are going to use it as a primary weapon. I carry a 2" .357 as a backup when I hunt. I would not hesistate to use it inside of thirty yards.

I took the SP101 to the range and shot a couple cylinders of 1000fps 158gr lead reloads. It shoots low about 16" and left about 12" at 25yrds off a rest with some heavier or hotter loads I am hoping to get it on target if not I may have to cut the front sight down. I would like to use Hornady XTP bullets but I am not sure how heavy I can get them in.

I bought a box of 158gr GDHP to carry (ouch $15.00 for 20 shots), but I am going to try some heavier bullets.

Any thoughts on how to get this little sweetie to shoot on target at 25yrds.

I don't have the option to try it closer at the outdoor range as it is only 25 and 100yrds.


BTW after shooting a 454 and a 44mag for years this is a pleasure to shoot.

I think the 357 gets lots of bad press. I was at the range one day when the guy next to me had an EAA Windicator 2" 357mag. I'd looked at them in the catalogs, but didn't expect much at the $125 price tag. It shot great, was comfortable, good trigger. I was able to hit 2 liter bottles on the 100yd berm off hand with it. I'll agree with the 158 or 180gn bullets. You may have to slow the velocity down so the gun has more time to recoil and place the bullet higher on the target, or a heavier bullet may work also.

Swede - I too have a 2.25" SP101, which shoots 140 or 158gr XTP's very well. I use 13.5gr/2400/CCI Mag/Rem load combination with either bullet. The pistol is a great "carry" gun and works well within its range (albeit short) limitations and sighting equipment. Mine does not shoot the lighter weight bullets very well, which is of no matter for its intended use. Be advised, some states (Colorado for one) requires any pistol you may carry must have a 4" or longer barrel; evidently your state and mine do not. Mags

Colt Python with 4''. Not only will you be able to hit 25 yards but it will also increase in value and add to a great collection.

quote:

Originally posted by Gentleman Jack:
Colt Python with 4''. Not only will you be able to hit 25 yards but it will also increase in value and add to a great collection.

No doubt about the Colt Python being a great handgun but I wanted/needed something light and short that I wouldn't leave at home otherwise I would carry my 8" Raging Bull 454

quote:

Originally posted by Swede44mag:

quote:

Originally posted by Gentleman Jack:
Colt Python with 4''. Not only will you be able to hit 25 yards but it will also increase in value and add to a great collection.

No doubt about the Colt Python being a great handgun but I wanted/needed something light and short that I wouldn't leave at home otherwise I would carry my 8" Raging Bull 454

Hmmm ok, are semi autos out of the question? Get you a full sized or mid sized glock in 357 sig with adj. sights. No weight and packs a wallop. You can find a used one easy.

Gentleman Jack: Amid all the responses, I think you lost sight of the original question: He is not looking to buy a pistol; he has already purchased the 2.25" SP101.

Swede44Mag-Don't overlook the possibility of a projectile such as Cast performance's LBT-style of bullet. You'll get plenty of penetration, and a blood trail is virtually assured as you will get an exit on any broadside presentation. And, the wide, flat meplat cuts a nice wound channel along the bullet's entire path. Federal offered the 180 grainer in their "Cast Core" loads, but I don't know if they are still available or not. Even if they do, they were loaded a bit on the anemic side anyway.

But as to your original question: It'll work in a pinch, but as you have already acknowledged, there are much better choices out there.

You are correct sir.

That Ruger would work under 25yards good but I wouldnt expect any "cigarette" shots with it. I like the winchester silver bullet .357 rounds myself.

Here ya go, hopes this helps


http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=65248&thru=fr&mscssid=JV1UT5UVT7SD9K16D55NXBAF0N67BWW7

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=65104&thru=fr&mscssid=JV1UT5UVT7SD9K16D55NXBAF0N67BWW7

Thanks for your suggestions on cartridges to try.
I have a 45acp Kimber and access to a Sig 357sig, but anything shorter than a 357mag cartridge is not "Deer" legal in Kansas.