Hunting & Fishing .357 mag for elk??

[High Binder]

Hey guys, have any of you ever took an elk using a .357mag and if so what kind of ammo did you use. The reason I ask is because the hunt I have this next week is 50/50 trees and open land. I'm taking a 325WSM for the rifle portion but I sold my .44mag and now the biggest revolver I have is a .357

 

[Biscuit]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

I was hoping title was a typo for 375 mag

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

.357 is illegal to hunt with in Wyoming. Not enough energy.

Might want to check your state regs.

 

[yavapai kid]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

you're nuts if you think a 357 is enough elk cartridge

 

[RJW]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

A lot on the light side for hunting anything beyond a whitetail

 

[High Binder]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.357 is illegal to hunt with in Wyoming. Not enough energy.

Might want to check your state regs.



</div></div>

10-4 on that, I'll check but from the sounds of it, it's a no go which just means I'll have to barrow my dad's .50 S&W

 

[smack]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

I would do it in a heartbeat, especially if there was snow on the ground in tight timber. 6" plus barrel and a stout load of H110 behind a 180gr Nosler Partition Gold. Holes kill shit and within reasonable range it's sure to get the job done. Totally legal here in Washington state, I have personally witnessed a 300+ pound black bear get his face stuffed in a creek bottom by a single shot from horse back, by the same combo stated above. Broke the onside shoulder and lodged in the off side lower chest, just under the hide. The shot was steep down hill, he kicked around a bit and by the time people were off their horses with rifles in hand it was all over even the bawling.

 

[High Binder]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMACK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would do it in a heartbeat, especially if there was snow on the ground in tight timber. 6" plus barrel and a stout load of H110 behind a 180gr Nosler Partition Gold. Holes kill shit and within reasonable range it's sure to get the job done. Totally legal here in Washington state, I have personally witnessed a 300+ pound black bear get his face stuffed in a creek bottom by a single shot from horse back, by the same combo stated above. Broke the onside shoulder and lodged in the off side lower chest, just under the hide. The shot was steep down hill, he kicked around a bit and by the time people were off their horses with rifles in hand it was all over even the bawling. </div></div>

Thanks Smack! I tend to agree that it's not so much the caliber as it is the placement.

 

[Biscuit]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

PLease don't try to take an elk with a .357

Plenty of deer have been killed with a .22, does not make it a proper round for hunting.

 

[former naval person]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

If you can find it, read the Elmer Keith article on trying to kill an elk with his .38-44 loads, which were essentially a .357 Maggie. New bullets as the Partition Gold might do it...but, at close quarters, the elk might win. Do bigger...and get close. Real close. JMHO

 

[High Binder]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you can find it, read the Elmer Keith article on trying to kill an elk with his .38-44 loads, which were essentially a .357 Maggie. New bullets as the Partition Gold might do it...but, at close quarters, the elk might win. Do bigger...and get close. Real close. JMHO </div></div>

Thanks guys, I went and picked up my dad's .50 S&W which is probably overkill, hell the 325WSM is overkill but my .308 is too heavy to carry all day through the brush...

 

[smack]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joel.B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PLease don't try to take an elk with a .357

Plenty of deer have been killed with a .22, does not make it a proper round for hunting. </div></div>

Laughing, please don't shoot a Elk with a .357 Magnum but it's totally acceptable for half the planet to stick them with a arrow of one sort or another. Believe me, that 180 Partition Gold is going to do a hell of allot more damage than any frikin bow/arrow combination will at standard archery ranges and I have seen plenty what damage a arrow does while field dressing the one's I have taken with a bow. I say that more than half the guys on this page don't know jack about real world hunting, let alone elk or the taking of Elk. They have watched to many hunting shows and spent to many hours with their face stuck in a Field & Stream magazine fantasizing about being there instead of DOING IT! Therefore, they are self proclaimed internet experts... Still laughing !!!!!!!!!!

 

[bohem]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMACK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joel.B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PLease don't try to take an elk with a .357

Plenty of deer have been killed with a .22, does not make it a proper round for hunting. </div></div>

Laughing, please don't shoot a Elk with a .357 Magnum but it's totally acceptable for half the planet to stick them with a arrow of one sort or another. Believe me, that 180 Partition Gold is going to do a hell of allot more damage than any frikin bow/arrow combination will at standard archery ranges and I have seen plenty what damage a arrow does while field dressing the one's I have taken with a bow. I say that more than half the guys on this page don't know jack about real world hunting, let alone elk or the taking of Elk. They have watched to many hunting shows and spent to many hours with their face stuck in a Field & Stream magazine fantasizing about being there instead of DOING IT! Therefore, they are self proclaimed internet experts... Still laughing !!!!!!!!!! </div></div>

There are very different mechanics at work for a broadhead kill vs. a bullet kill, however I'm not of the opinion that you need 2500ft-lb min to kill an elk, moose, or mule deer.

I would not use a 357 outside of 50yd unless you're a particularly good shot with a pistol. Just because the bullet has the oomph to hit the elk and do a double lung shot doesn't mean that the shooter is going to be able to deliver the bullet properly.

My personal practice regiment with my revolvers involves shots over 200yd with successful, repeatable hits on target. Under a stress/hunting situation I would not push myself to take a shot over 100yd on an animal with the 44mag.

 

[smack]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMACK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joel.B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PLease don't try to take an elk with a .357

Plenty of deer have been killed with a .22, does not make it a proper round for hunting. </div></div>

Laughing, please don't shoot a Elk with a .357 Magnum but it's totally acceptable for half the planet to stick them with a arrow of one sort or another. Believe me, that 180 Partition Gold is going to do a hell of allot more damage than any frikin bow/arrow combination will at standard archery ranges and I have seen plenty what damage a arrow does while field dressing the one's I have taken with a bow. I say that more than half the guys on this page don't know jack about real world hunting, let alone elk or the taking of Elk. They have watched to many hunting shows and spent to many hours with their face stuck in a Field & Stream magazine fantasizing about being there instead of DOING IT! Therefore, they are self proclaimed internet experts... Still laughing !!!!!!!!!! </div></div>

There are very different mechanics at work for a broadhead kill vs. a bullet kill, however I'm not of the opinion that you need 2500ft-lb min to kill an elk, moose, or mule deer.

I would not use a 357 outside of 50yd unless you're a particularly good shot with a pistol. Just because the bullet has the oomph to hit the elk and do a double lung shot doesn't mean that the shooter is going to be able to deliver the bullet properly.

My personal practice regiment with my revolvers involves shots over 200yd with successful, repeatable hits on target. Under a stress/hunting situation I would not push myself to take a shot over 100yd on an animal with the 44mag.</div></div>

Field & Stream? If hunting is a "Stress" situation, then one has lived a sheltered life or needs a little more action in their life.

 

[dogmessiah]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

I am not getting into the argument of whether to do it or not, but if it were to be done I would be tempted to use 180gr hard cast bullets. You can find them at missouri bullet company for a reasonable price.

 

[bohem]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMACK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMACK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joel.B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PLease don't try to take an elk with a .357

Plenty of deer have been killed with a .22, does not make it a proper round for hunting. </div></div>

Laughing, please don't shoot a Elk with a .357 Magnum but it's totally acceptable for half the planet to stick them with a arrow of one sort or another. Believe me, that 180 Partition Gold is going to do a hell of allot more damage than any frikin bow/arrow combination will at standard archery ranges and I have seen plenty what damage a arrow does while field dressing the one's I have taken with a bow. I say that more than half the guys on this page don't know jack about real world hunting, let alone elk or the taking of Elk. They have watched to many hunting shows and spent to many hours with their face stuck in a Field & Stream magazine fantasizing about being there instead of DOING IT! Therefore, they are self proclaimed internet experts... Still laughing !!!!!!!!!! </div></div>

There are very different mechanics at work for a broadhead kill vs. a bullet kill, however I'm not of the opinion that you need 2500ft-lb min to kill an elk, moose, or mule deer.

I would not use a 357 outside of 50yd unless you're a particularly good shot with a pistol. Just because the bullet has the oomph to hit the elk and do a double lung shot doesn't mean that the shooter is going to be able to deliver the bullet properly.

My personal practice regiment with my revolvers involves shots over 200yd with successful, repeatable hits on target. Under a stress/hunting situation I would not push myself to take a shot over 100yd on an animal with the 44mag.</div></div>

Field & Stream? If hunting is a "Stress" situation, then one has lived a sheltered life or needs a little more action in their life. </div></div>

You're right, hunting in thick cover with an animal that weighs 3x's what the average person does is the same as a "ready on the right. ready on the left. ready on the firing line. FIRE" situation. Just because you can hit a target on the range or at 300yd with a rifle it's a big difference when the angry, wounded animal is 10yd away from you in thick cover.

For someone that is such an expert hunter then why'd you ask the question or liken firearms wounds to broadhead wounds? Perhaps you really don't understand terminal behavior as well as you might think?

It could just be that I suggested that you should not worry about the caliber as much as your own capabilities to place the shot in the first place.

ETA: Heavy, hard cast bullets with a big meplat is exactly the approach that I've successfully used for hunting with cast bullets moving at low velocities. They do very well.

 

[smack]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

Bohem,

Don't bore me with your technical mumbo jumbo,


<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">"For someone that is such an expert hunter then why'd you ask the question or liken firearms wounds to broadhead wounds? Perhaps you really don't understand terminal behavior as well as you might think?"</span>


I have shot more than my share of Elk and Mule deer, now if you want to go into the science of archery equipment Vs a .357 Magnum and a 180gr Partition Gold then be prepared for the fact that I could kill a Elk a hell of allot quicker at any range than I could with archery equipment. I know, I have bow hunted plenty. See, I live and have grown up in a place where within 15-20 min from my drive way there are plenty of Elk, Mule deer, Bear, Cougar, Cali Sheep, coyotes, bobcat etc. Give me another hour from my drive way, there are mountain goat and wolves. I have killed Mule deer with 10mm and .45 ACP handguns. I have also shot them with a hell of allot smaller

. I don't need to read foot pounds of energy in a book. I point it and pull the trigger and they die, therefore it works.

 

[bohem]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMACK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bohem,

Don't bore me with your technical mumbo jumbo,


<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">"For someone that is such an expert hunter then why'd you ask the question or liken firearms wounds to broadhead wounds? Perhaps you really don't understand terminal behavior as well as you might think?"</span>


I have shot more than my share of Elk and Mule deer, now if you want to go into the science of archery equipment Vs a .357 Magnum and a 180gr Partition Gold then be prepared for the fact that I could kill a Elk a hell of allot quicker at any range than I could with archery equipment. I know, I have bow hunted plenty. See, I live and have grown up in a place where within 15-20 min from my drive way there are plenty of Elk, Mule deer, Bear, Cougar, Cali Sheep, coyotes, bobcat etc. Give me another hour from my drive way, there are mountain goat and wolves. I have killed Mule deer with 10mm and .45 ACP handguns. I have also shot them with a hell of allot smaller

. <span style="font-weight: bold">I don't need to read foot pounds of energy in a book. I point it and pull the trigger and they die, therefore it works. </span>



</div></div>

I never said the 357 couldn't kill better than an arrow, I said it kills in a different way and comparing them is an exercise in ignorance.

You don't know how or why it works, just that it works... that sounds like you're completely hunting lodge certified for being a terminal ballistics expert.

Bliss and ignorance or something...

 

[He Shoot Me]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

I don't know what the deal is with the .357 magnum, but it just seems to kill shit. Years ago, me and a buddy were walking along a rice field shooting suspicious looking dirt clods (potential terrorists) and whatever else needed shooting, when we stumbled across what should have been a delightful dinner served with gravy and veggies over rice.

I pulled out my Sig P220 and punched a nice clean .45 caliber hole right through one of the two cotton tails that were maybe 10-15 yards in front of us. My buddy quickly draws a bead on the now frozen 2nd bugs bunny and pulls the trigger on his 8-3/8" barreled S&W .357

Much to my surprise....that freakin thing simply exploded. I've seen plenty of critters blow-up before using my rifles and shotguns, but I've never seen a pistol cartridge do what that .357 did.

I have added a .357 to my collection.

-Pat

 

[smack]

Re: .357 mag for elk??

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">"I never said the 357 couldn't kill better than an arrow, I said it kills in a different way and comparing them is an exercise in ignorance.

You don't know how or why it works, just that it works... that sounds like you're completely hunting lodge certified for being a terminal ballistics expert.

Bliss and ignorance or something..."</span>

" Only ignorance precludes it, which is seemingly more than enough"

NOBODY.

You missed it completely. Bottom line take the .357 and shoot the shit out of any Elk within reasonable range and it will die. I would take the .357 over a bow any day when given the choice of planting a bull in the timber. I think that's clear enough, now I have to pack my gear due to the fact I will be hunting both Elk and Mule deer for the next 3-4 weeks. I don't read about I do it.