This cow was shot at about 50 feet. First shot struck the chest from broadside and broke a rib going in. Both lungs were badly damaged. The bullet was found balled up under the hide on far side side. Second bullet struck farther back. The diaphragm was torn and liver damaged. The elk galloped away as if unhurt. I waited about an hour and took up the trail. About 150 yards away, the animal was found dead as Julius Caesar.

This cow elk weighed approx 400 lbs.

357 MAG is certainly no long distance cartridge. But up close, it's up to the task.

tech info: 158 grain hollow tip factory ammo by PMC. Taurus revovler with 6 inch barrel.

TR

Nice shooting TR.

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Bob from Idaho

Can it work? Yes. Is it the proper weapon for elk? No as it could have had a completely different outcome.

For the sake of a humane kill on the animal you choose to hunt, please use a bigger caliber weapon next time.

Sorry, but (IMO) you got lucky.

A .357 Mag is a terrible choice for hunting Elk.

If I read the South Dakota regulations correctly they require firearms used for Elk to be "factory rated" as producing a minimum of 1700 FPE at the muzzzle. Even the best .357 Magnum loads do less than half that, more like 1/3, and that is only by hand loading! I assume this animal was not shot in South Dakkota?

Exactly.

Someone managed to down an Elk with a .357. All of a sudden, a .357 Mag is an elk round.

It's a joke.

No offense to the OP, but you're part of the problem dude.

Wanna hunt elk? Use a rifle (.270 minimum) or a TC in something big.

Funny. A guy successfully harvests a game animal with caliber XYZ and tells about it. Other guys jump on him for using an "inadequate" cartridge, despite full penetration of the chest cavity. Other guy suggests maybe the firearm wasn't even legal.

How 'bout a "Nice shot, congratulations!" Or even "Wow, I'm surprised that cartridge performed so well."

I know I'm probably just grouchy, but sheesh. I wonder how many people can tell me they have PERSONALLY shot an elk with caliber XYZ, and made a GOOD hit, and the elk survived. I'd guess none, because if the elk survived, you can't prove that you made a good hit.

Anyway, congrats TR.

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IDShooter

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

Nice shooting! The guy got a double-lung on his first shot, yet people are saying it isn't enough gun?!! Before the .44Mag came out, didn't the lil' .357 Mag kill just about everything?

Jim

I think there are a few too many FPE followers... The bullet pentrated enough and harvested the animal cleanly... Nice job, you have the proof and all talk of not enough gun, etc is arm chair quartebacking after the fact. Sure a 454 is higher on the food chain than a 357, but you obviously had enough, if you did not you would not have the Elk.


Good shoot congradulations

Way to go! This illustrates that a guy who is hunter enough to get close and make a cool shot probably knows more about the sport (and himself) than many others. My guess is you either know your limitations from experience and have good skills, or you were just lucky. Big guns and fancy bullets rarely compensate for proper shot placement with an average bullet on a cow elk. On the other hand, I traded in all my .357s a long time ago because all other things being equal, I do like to improve my odds if longer distance and bigger animals are a possibility. I also use "fancy" bullets.
I wouldn't have any problem attempting to duplicate your success with a .357 at 50' with a cow elk. Heck, I suppose my odds would be better with a .357 at 50' than with a .44 at 50 yards!
Congrats again!

Yep, that's not the first Elk to be taken with a 357 Mag..The 357 has even been used to take Grizz amoung ever types of big game.. While there are caliber choices that are higher on the food chain than the 357, none the less properly loade and properly placed the 357 will and has and will continue to take its share of game...

If you place the bullet properly it really doesn't much matter how big, how heavy, or how fast it is going, you'll make meat. And if you fail to place the bullet properly, the same still largely applies. No amount of power can substitute for woodscraft, marksmanship and patience. Still today you'll find many Canadian Indians who take all their meat with .22 rimfires.

I think you know where I stand. Way to go, great shot !! show us a picture.

Great shot and photo, TR, just look at that smile. How recently was this, and where? I wonder if an XTP the same weight would have exited, we know a BTB would have.
Andy

Great shot. Tell us more about the hunt. Looks like the ol 357 does it again.

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A truely successful life is mostly based on how well you handle PLAN B.

The hunt was planned for last weekend of firearms season in Crook County, Wyoming. I rolled into camp about 4 hours before dark. Leaving my .308 rifle in camp, I hiked to the ridge to look over the valley beyond for next morning's hunt. The Taurus was holstered at my waist; this is bear and cougar country.

A huge boulder was my seat as I glassed the big valley with my 10X field glasses. It sounded like cattle walking through the trees behind me. But when I turned to look, I saw several cow elk with their youngsters. I drew my revolver and shot into the crease behind the shoulder. Distance was close, about 50 feet or so. The animal flinched and trotted away. I shot again but it hit farther back than I'd planned. The elk galloped away.

Now you know the rest of the story.

357 MAG hits hard at archery distances. But it is not in the same power league as genuine rifle cartridges. The point of this photo and story is to share an interesting hunting event. But I'm not suggesting that 357 MAG is an IDEAL cartridge for taking elk.

Elk are large and tough but not armor-plated. Many local hunters in this state take elk every season with common 30-30 saddle guns.
TR

As Paul Harvey would say. We now know the rest of the story. Glad you had the Taurus with you.

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A truely successful life is mostly based on how well you handle PLAN B.

Its good shot placement that gets the animal. The proof is laying there at his feet. This hunter knows what he is doing with the weapon of his choice. Great SHOTS and the meat will taste as good as if it were shot by a 270.

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LippyGoathead

Heck I'm surprised the bullet didn't bounce off the elk and possibly injure you! Just kidding. I catch the same type of treatment from friends and family who think my 243 is only good for groundhogs. It has worked fine on deer for me for the last 25 years. Nice shoot'n TR! Dave

Very nice elk and a fine shot too. I shot a whitetail with my 357 and the damage you described and penetration were nearly identical. The whitetail being obviously smaller, but it was at 50yards.

Obviously your game only went 150 yards, the gun was adequate.

Congrats again.

Terry

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Life is temporary.