5-screw S&W .357 makes meat

[6GUNSONLY]

From the reading I've done, the primary thought behind the development of the .357 gun/cartridge was as a hunting arm, secondarily (but probably later overshadowing the former) as a law enforcement weapon.

Well, the original gun and cartridge can still get the job done. I killed this little 5-point buck this morning with my 1954 pre-27 6.5", load was a 160 hard cast SWC over 14 grains of 2400. Shot him as he was visiting a mock scrape I'd made a few days ago. Bullet placement was about ideal, tight behind the shoulder, broadside. He made it about 30 yards and went down for good. I love shooting these classic S&W sixguns, even more so when I can put one to use for it's intended purpose.

This is the first deer I've shot with a .357. I always knew it would get the job done, but having plenty of heavier caliber sixguns, mostly .44 special and magnum, I've relied on those, and have killed several deer with those as well as one each with .41 mag and heavy-loaded .45 Colt. I have to say this deer went down just as quick as any I've shot with the big bores. Couldn't ask for a better, more efficient kill.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1586/13748079/24747904/413671594.jpgr

[Smoke4320]

Congrats. 357 mag does just fine when you put one in the boiler room

[white eagle]

very well done

[c1skout]

Good shooting, and good lookin revolver too!

[Ramjet-SS]

nice stuff there great job

[Thumbcocker]

Good story classic revolver doing what it was meant to do. Thanks for sharing.

[atr]

thats a nice job !

[runfiverun]

chunky little guy there, he should have a pretty good pile of meat on him.
perfect bullet placement too,,, nice shooting.

[skeettx]

Love the service factory grips
Well done, well done
Mike

[Beerd]

Classic results from a classic revolver and load. What's not to like?
How far was the shot?
..

[nagantguy]

That'll get the job done;you did the work,did the load development did the time in the stand and it paid!!!!
Just one question don't you need a super zapper whizz magnum to kill white tail deer?

[Beau Cassidy]

Strong work. Excellent bullet placement

[Rainier]

Beautiful gun, fantastic cartridge, great load and great shooting = Success! Good job on a very nice deer!

[smoked turkey]

Whew! Those old 5-screw S&Ws are nice. Oh and the buck looks like some good eating coming up at your place. Congratulations on a perfect shot with the right load.

[Texas by God]

I would miss seeing deer because I'd sit there admiring that gun.

[richhodg66]

Good job! I like the .357 and will hunt with it one day, but I have so many in line waiting to go deer hunting, it may be a while.

[Jeff Michel]

Congratulations, nice job.

[Ole Joe Clarke]

Great job. How about posting some photos of your Smith, both here and on the S&W forum.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

[WebMonkey]

Sweet!
Right there with you.
:)

[Wolfer]

Ive found it's where you put the hole is more important than what you put it there with. Congratulations.

[6GUNSONLY]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. It wasn't a tough shot except that he was in a hurry to be somewhere else - if he hadn't stopped to lick that branch over the mock scrape I'd made, it would have been a lot tougher. He was probably only about 25 yards away. I don't have any real good pics of this fine old sixgun - I need to make some. Here's one, kinda dim, gun is wearing a pair of presentation target stocks I had on hand and tried out. They feel too big - I like the magnas better.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1586/13748079/24747904/413346302.jpg