Originally Posted by
Blackwater
I have a .35 Whelen Ackley with a 1:14" twist, and even that seems to be challenged in handling 300 gr. bullets or thereabouts. I believe T/C uses a 1:16" twist in their .357's, and given that, I think R5R's right, and I'd go with a little less bullet weight. In getting your loads as quiet as possible, I'd also cast fairly soft, use a good soft lube, and keep the weight nearer 200 gr. than 300. The main thing, as I understand it, that you're looking for is a load that'll penetrate and kill your deer, without upsetting the settlers around there, and R5R gives excellent advice on that, with all the amens by others. FWIW, I have a friend who's been shooting deer for many, many years for local farmers who have problems with large amounts of deer eating what they plant, and he's used everything you can think of, usually riding through the areas after work with whatever gun is handy, and he's killed deer with everything from a .22 pistol to .45/70, and it's always shot placement that matters most. Place a good bullet, even a good .22 RF, in the right place, and they just don't go far. Mind that I'm talking about our smaller southern whitetails here, though. Big ol' mulies or really big whitetails make this much more "iffy" than the ones my buddy shoots on these DNR permits. For quietest performance, I'd stick with the rifle. I think you'd find it much quieter, and that CAN be a real asset sometimes, and a just barely sub-sonic bullet of 168-215 gr. with a flat point to help emphasize impact effect would be my choice. It'll kill deer MUCH more reliably than most would give it credit for, when used with precision. FWIW?