Hi Guys, i was just wondering what minimum hand-gun cartridge would suffice for shooting an Impala. Would it be possible to humanely take one from say, 40m, with a .357mag from a 3inch revolver? Thanks in advance.

Yes, it would be possible to humanely take an impala from 40 meters with a 357 Magnum 3 inch revolver. An impala is smaller than a whitetail deer so theoretically it could be done with an even less potent weapon.

You didn't ask and maybe you don't want to know but I'll say it anyway.

1. Some would have trouble consistently hitting the kill zone with a 3 inch revolver at 40 meters in which case using said weapon at said range would not be humane.

2. At least in S. Africa, you're not allowed to import a handgun for self defense (only for hunting). You might have have trouble convincing SAP that a 3 inch handgun was really a hunting handgun.

Thanks for the info Grumulkin. I live in S.A so it wudnt be a problem to get my gun around. I was thinking of using 180gr jhp or hardcast rounds.

I have to agree that a longer barrel should be used. I don't like shorter then 7-1/2" for any hunting.

Well, there are 357 mags and there are 357 mags. In a strong 357, ie a 44/45 sized and strength gun, the 357 is pretty potent 158's @ 1500 fps, and 180's not far behind. But in a weaker framed gun and shorter tube you're down around 1200 fps.

The real question to ask yourself when using a weapon you consider marginal is, are you absolutely sure of the guns limitations, and will you place your shots accordingly and pass up the ones you outside the guns limitations.

Another way of saying, do you really want to risk answering your question by finding out it wasn't enough?

The .357 Mag should be enough cartridge for impala. I'd opt for the hard cast bullets as you do not have caliber working for you. A 180 grain cast bullet should give you plenty enough penetration even at muzzle velocities down in the 1,000 fps range.

Limit your shots to distances that you know you can hit at. If there is a question in your mind, the distance is too far. Good luck and let us know how things work for you.

Of course it will work, the question is how quickly will it work? I shot an impala through the shoulders with a .429 320 gr LBT WFN @ 1375 fps and it made a 50 meter dash before piling up. It ran so hard the shattered shoulder bones pierced the hide. It had nothing to loose I suppose, but we were all mightily impressed by its sheer tenacity. A fella might want a skilled tracker and all afternoon to find such an animal if he shot it with a 357.

Personally, I'd check out how the 180 grainer shoots at those distances and, if possible, get that load chronographed. I think that a cast 160 grainer would be better and flatten out your trajectory. If you are very comfortable with shooting it and can all hits in a 6" circle at the distance, then by all means go whack an Impala with it.

I will be practicing a lot and only when i can place all my shots in 12cm target at 50m will i consider shooting at an animal. If all goes well, watch this space for results!

Not to be arguementative; but I consider the difference in trajectory between a 160 and 180 grain bullet out of a .357 Magnum at 50 yards/meters to be negligable.

I'll take the heavier bullet for increased sectional density as well as just the extra weight for added penetration.

Thoughts on a Norma 158gr sjhp?

Four inches at 50 yards is fine offhand shooting in my neck of the woods! I figure 8 inch (20cm) paper plates as more than enough test of my shooting skill offhand. I don't even try with my shorter than 4 inch revolvers for this type of hunting. The .357 Magnum is enough gun, if you are a responsible hunter and put the bullet through the heart-lungs.

have shot one impala with a .357 and a few (along with an elephant and buff, kudu) with my .41 mag (5" barrel). Shot placement is everything.

Depending on where you are hunting you might like to put in alot of practice at double action shooting. Cocking a revolver makes too much noise in the jesse. The only animal I have shot single action was the buff and that was because it was in the open and a rather long shot.

Becuase you are using such a short barrel you are not going to be getting much expansion, unless you go to very light anit personel bullets. Rather stick to bullets with a big meplat or kieth type S/W so that you get a good blood spoor. Expect the animal to run up to 100m even with a heart shot and possibly double that with a lung shot. In more open areas that isn't far, but in the jess where i hunt often tracking is difficult and if the wound doesn't start bleeding soon you have a tough job.

Of course it will work given the perfect shot. Almost anything will. How often do you get the perfect shot?

The Impala I've seen seem to have ranged up to and slightly larger than whitetail ... hard to see them side-by-side though.

Given the performance of the .357 Mag, and 41 Mag I've seen on Whitetail, I'd be more comfortable with the .41 Mag from a 6" tube for that size animal at ranges over 25 yards.

To this point no one has mentioned the excellent RCBS 35-200. The profile is good, and it shoots well in my Smith. I would think a 200-grain hard cast would be plenty of medicine, even at muzzle velocities as slow as 1000-1100 fps...

I killed some hogs and feral animals like goats and rams with my king cobra and black talons ,i dont recommend the 357 for big game hunting ,period.Juan

You can easily kill an impala with a .22 Long Rifle with perfect shot placement (even an elephant for that matter). Anything is possible, but I think hunting impala with a .357 3 inch barrel is NOT a wise choice unless you are a world class pistol shot. Even then, most of them would choose a longer barrel IF they were going to hunt with a .357. Most people who've been there and done that think a .4something cartridge diameter is best for people. Since I rank impalas substantially tougher than people, I'd follow that dictum.

Can you, yes, should you, no, not in my opinion.