This may not be the right place to post this question but I thought I would give it a try.

I gust got a Marlin 1894C (357 Mag.) an am having a ball shooting it. I am loading it with 140 grain JHP and was wondering if it had enough power to bring down a Whitetail deer. Most of our deer are on the small side and shots are usually under 100 yards, more like 50-75 yards.

I need to buy more bullets and was wondering if I should get some 158 grain bullets for deer or are the 140 grainers enough or should I just forget about using the 357 Marlin for deer?

I would appreciate any input.

I personallylike the 158gr semi jacketed hollow points. Place your shots well and you should do ok with it.

I really can't tell you that your rifle in .357 magnum is good enough to take deer at short ranges...A lot depends on you and how well you can shoot. I can tell you that I have taken Blacktails in the Northwest with a Colt SAA .357 magnum with a 4 3/4" barrel using a 140 Remington SJHP. The range was under 25 yards though.

Bushmaster says it very well. I will say that your gun will probably shoot the 158 grain better and if you keep your shots inside of 60 yards the rifle you carry is probably fine. How good you are with that rifle is what determines whether or not you should hunt with it. I would say that if you can keep your shots in a two inch circle out to 60 yards you should be able to bring down a small white-tail out to 60 yards with a 158 grain bullet. If you are stuck on the 140 grain (which is what I use in my 6" revolver) then you should limit your shots to inside fifty - even with the rifle.

Very good advice. If you do your part, the cartridge and rifle are capable of killing a deer.

Thanks. I guess I need to try some 158 grain bullets. The Marlin and my Python are not the primary guns I use for deer but if I am out in the woods with them and a deer happens along I want to be sure I can get a clean kill.

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As long as the clean kill is your priority, you're thinking right kbis, the advice that's been offered is right on the money. Go do some range shooting with the 158 grain and that rifle will bring you some food.