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Post by 3ptbuck on Sept 19, 2012 16:39:24 GMT -5
Last night I got to thinking about the PCRs and went to look at them today. Ended up getting a .357 Handi-Rifle and a Tru-glo red dot sight for it. Got that sight/scope for it thinking it would mostly be a <50yd gun for my 7yo daughter. I love it! Went with the Barnes Vor-tx ammo and can't complain a bit. Becca shot it after school today and was shooting quarter sized 3 shot groups and wasn't afraid of the noise or kick at all. I'd like to see what the gun will do with a regular scope at longer distances. The gun was bought for her but I will definately be taking it out some in gun season, it's pretty fun to shoot.
Anyone have any experience with this gun?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 17:29:35 GMT -5
It's been my experience and opinion matches that the .357 is marginal at best for deer. Nothing wrong with the Handi Rifle, they are good for youths. Hope you have a good experience with it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 17:29:37 GMT -5
Yep! I got one for my 11 year old daughter this summer. I love it! My buddy got one for his daughter last year and she killed her first deer with it on the youth weekend. He killed a nice 130 inch buck with it in gun season. I might have to use it myself during gun season. Great shooting guns.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 17:31:54 GMT -5
My experience and everything I have read about them (I researched it before buying) says the .357 is a good deer gun out to 100 yards. Two dead deer in our lease with that gun would not argue that.
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Post by Woody Williams on Sept 19, 2012 17:37:54 GMT -5
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Post by 3ptbuck on Sept 19, 2012 17:43:39 GMT -5
I've also heard a few reports of deer that went further than expected, lack of blood, etc but there seem to be a lot of happy people, too.
Timex- are there any loads that performed better or worse for deer? The Barnes I got were highly recommended by the gun shop but I have zero experience with PCRs
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 17:53:37 GMT -5
I was told that the blunt nosed bullets get more pass throughs which would leave a better blood trail. The deer killed with this gun on our lease last year were shot with the hollow point expanding bullets. They knocked them down quickly, but did not pass through. In both cases the bullet was lodged in the off shoulder. Both deer dropped within view of the shooter and both were very dead.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2012 18:05:50 GMT -5
IMO- Pistol bullets are normally large enough without expansion to make a good size hole. So, I'd use reloaded hard cast bullets and as hot a load as possible to push it through both sides. Otherwise use the Barnes or some other premium bullet load that has a hard bullet.
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Post by jjas on Sept 19, 2012 18:19:15 GMT -5
FWIW, I think your choice of the Barnes bullets are fine. Another load that a friend of mine has used with success is hornady's leverevolution tipped bullets. If you want hotter loads, look @ corbon.
If you don't want to spend that kind of money then look @ jacketed soft points.
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Post by daneowner on Sept 19, 2012 22:37:07 GMT -5
I have no experience with the .357, but I use the Barnes expaner 1 oz in my 12 ga. and the Barnes .290 gr in my 50 cal ML and very pleased with their performance. I've always had a complete pass thur. If your PCR shoots them accurately I definitely would try them.
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Post by omegahunter on Sept 20, 2012 8:22:19 GMT -5
I would definitely rather see someone using a .357 versus a .410 slug. Go with a softpoint, hardcast, or all copper bullet and you should have no trouble. Use a hollowpoint and shot placement is even more critical to ensure proper penetration.
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Post by parson on Sept 20, 2012 8:51:16 GMT -5
I've owned one for a couple of years. I reamed it to .357 max, and have taken deer with it. With the max you can still shoot magnum and .38 spcl.
My granddaughter took her first deer with prior to turning it into a maxi.
I also would recommend a soft point or cast bullet. Hollow point pistol bullets can fragment at the velocity you get from the longer rifle barrels.
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Post by Boilermaker on Sept 20, 2012 9:04:25 GMT -5
I've killed 2 deer w/a .357 mag; I believe the round was a Remington Jacketed Hollow Point; they hit with one heck of a thud and both deer stopped in their tracks. One was a quartering away shot with the deer running and it wasn't the smartest shot i've taken and I wouldn't do it again but the bullet struck him right behind his rib cage and traveled through his left lung and into his heart (lucky to say the least). Bullet never passed through but I wouldn't doubt the round at all. Good luck to you and your daughter this season!
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Post by 36fan on Sept 20, 2012 11:27:24 GMT -5
I use a Marlin 1894 chambered in .357 when I am hunting in wooded areas where the shot will be less than 100 yds. Results: 18 yds - 8 pnt buck w/ only 1 antler. Double lung shot, went <100 yds, just out of sight. No blood trail; however, when he was picked up w/ the tractor, blood POURED out of both holes. Bullet was 180 gr Hornday XTP (hollow point)
40 yds shot - BIG bodied, small racked 8 pnt buck. Double lung shot. Mule kicked and dropped. No exit wound (bullet fragmented and hit spine?). 180 gr Hornday XTP (hollow point).
100 yd shot - nice doe. Did a back flip when hit, got up, and ran up the hill. No blood trail. Never found her. VERY windy day. Bullet was 180 gr buffalo bore (Blunt nose).
The .357 maximum has intrigued me, and may be my next hunting rifle...
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