Woods Carry: 357sig or 357 magnum

[David]

I created a general 'woods carry' thread here:

http://sepboard.us/viewtopic.php?f=12&p=3686#p3686

It has a poll with most of the major/typical woods calibers that one may chose to carry in the woods. If you haven't seen that thread, please stop by and vote and post your comments.

For this thread, I wanted to post a couple of specific choices to chose from. So, between the two choices in the poll, what would you prefer as a woods carry caliber, what pistol/revolver would you prefer and why did you make that choice?

I will add other polls with different choices.

[Ronin.45]

These two can be loaded so close that it really is a toss-up. The magnum has more loadings with heavy hard cast bullets so it gets a Slight edge for dangerous game. I'm more interested in 357mag so that's my choice.

[bdcochran]

Elmer Keith was one of the developers of the .357 mag in the 1930s. He reported shooting two deer at 600 yards. Used a modified prone position. Of course not dangerous game. However, if you can shoot like that . . .

[tom mac]

Cause the 357 mag also goes in my rifle...

The 357sig seems more of 2 legged critter suited

[David]

I think part of the equation is the areas you intend on going into. The largest possible 'threats' I can think of in Florida, other than two-legged, would be black bear, large cat, gators, hog and wild packs of coyote or feral dogs. All you need for a gator is a walking stick. And although we do have bear and large cats in Florida, hogs, coyote/dog packs and rabid animals pose more of threat.

I'm a bit torn on the choice. On one hand, I like a good 357 magnum revolver. My first purchase was a 357 magnum revolver (Taurus 669VR that I bought at Sports Authority for $220). And I've had many 357 revolvers over the decades. Kinda partial to the S&W 686 and Ruger GP100. And it is a versatile platform in that it can be loaded with soft shooting .38 special all the way up to hand-thumping hot loads. I think if I lived in an area, or planned on hiking/camping in an area that had larger or more dangerous critters the 357 magnum would be the smart choice.

I chose the 357sig in the poll though. First, I don't have any 357 magnums anymore, though that could always change down the road. I do have an HK P2000 with both a 40 S&W and 357sig barrel. I have a 357sig barrel coming for my HK USPc (that is also 40 S&W and 9mm) and I'm on the lookout for a 357sig barrel for my Gen 4 G22 (which I also have a 9mm conversion barrel). I'm not a huge fan of the caliber, but to me it makes sense to have some of my pistols be 3-in-1 pistol. I like options. Secondly, I'm more likely to carry one of those pistols in 40 S&W if out in the wilds of Florida. However, in my A.O. either caliber would very likely be more than adequate against potential threats. A hot 125 or 147 grain is going to get very good penetration, even in larger critters even if using a HP. And in any of my platforms I would double, or more than double the capacity of a standard 6-shot. Yes, I could get a 7-8 shot revolver (and isn't a bad idea) but even at that I would still have 1/3 to 1/2 more capacity with any of my current platforms. So I chose the 357sig.

[Ronin.45]

You're very right, Dave. Your personal needs are the biggest factor in deciding. For the animals in your AO the 357Sig is a fine choice. Having more rounds on tap is a bonus.

[Mac66]

There's something elegant about a revolver so 357 mag for me.

[cityfarmer]

As a sidearm I've carried a 4" S&W model 66 loaded with 158gr SWC-GC @ 1,200 fps. I carry it in a cross draw holster to keep it out of the way. It's small and light enough not to be burden to carry but still able to put out serious load if needed. If I was to carry for handgun hunting it would be my Ruger Flattop Blackhawk loaded with 180gr WFN-GC @ 1,300 fps in a chest holster. That load will punch through a bear side to side without problem.

[David]

There's something elegant about a revolver so 357 mag for me.

I have to agree. Just something about a revolver. I’m really glad I started on a revolver.

As a sidearm I've carried a 4" S&W model 66 loaded with 158gr SWC-GC @ 1,200 fps. I carry it in a cross draw holster to keep it out of the way. It's small and light enough not to be burden to carry but still able to put out serious load if needed. If I was to carry for handgun hunting it would be my Ruger Flattop Blackhawk loaded with 180gr WFN-GC @ 1,300 fps in a chest holster. That load will punch through a bear side to side without problem.

I had a 2 1/2 inch S&W M66 years ago that had a trigger job professionally done. It was smooth as glass and really a joy to shoot. Yet another fun I should have hung onto.

[ratf51]

Gotta go 357mag on this. The flexibility of ammo choices wins for me. My first center-fire handgun was a 6" 686 that I bought, brand new, in 1984. That is what I cut my handgun "teeth" on, so to speak. Because of that I have a soft spot for a revolver. I no longer have that gun but do have a 4" 686 I bought in '06. I actually would carry that first 686 hiking back in the day. Another aspect of a revolver is that you reserve the spent casings. I always work with the mantra of "pack it in, pack it out". Leaving spent casings around just doesn't feel right to me, nor does trying to find them after shooting.