357 mag handgun for hunting

[Bubba]

Is the 357 mag legal to hunt big game in this state?  If not what is legal, the regs say minimum barrel length of 4 inch and  24 caliber.  I am looking for a hand gun to carry when hunting and would like to be able to dispatch one legal if I have to. Please help.

[russ]

i dont see why it would be illegal...i would asume it is because its bigger that .24 caliber. definately not the most efficient or most powerful cartridge but i guess at close ranges it would be good for under deer size animals. it would be a good side arm.

[gene]

yes they are just use 158 grian or moor jacket solid

[bobcat]

Just about any handgun is legal nowadays. They lifted all the strict restrictions a few years back. Used to be that a 357 didn't meet the minimum energy requirements.

[jdb]

I know a guy with a ruger gp 100 6" barrel les than 100 rounds shot bianci holster and belt 450$

[actionshooter]

Just about any handgun is legal nowadays. They lifted all the strict restrictions a few years back. Used to be that a 357 didn't meet the minimum energy requirements.

I had a go-around with the game dept. when the had the restrictions. I .357 revolver wouldn't make it but a .357 in a contender would, then I had to prove it. It wasn't worth it 

[bobcat]

Yeah that sounds about right...most revolvers with their shorter barrels were just short of the energy requirement, but a Contender with the longer barrel and slightly more velocity would possibly just meet the minimum.

[dbllunger]

It could previously but had to have a super heavy hot loaded round to make the energy restriction.  I would load as heavy as you could and as hot as possible and it would work fine.  Obviously a well constructed pistol bullet.  I would recommend the Hornday, Nosler, premium stuff.

[smdave]

The 357 is a fine deer cartridge, just know your limits get in as close as you can shoot. In some parts of the country they swear by the 357 for whitetail deer.

The old regulations were:

500 lbs energy at 100 yards for deer
and
750 lbs energy at 100 yards for elk

those were to hard to regulate so now they went to far the other way

4"bbl and .24  Centerfire cartridge

But they do have a list on the wdfw website of recomended calibers.
I will look for it.
Dave