I normally carry my GP100 357 w/ 158 gr winchester hp as a side arm when hunting.Now I got a P-95 I was thinking of carrying this instad and loading it up w/147 gr. HST +p.I know the 357 has more knock down power but with my 9 mm I have 15 rounds +1.I have never used my 357 to shoot anything while walking thru the woods only had to put a friends deer down shooting it in the head where The 9 would have been fine.We do have hogs and I just don't know if I had to shoot one with my 9 would I put it down.
357 or 9 mm w/147 HST for hunting side arm
- Thread starter tblt
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.357 was developed for hunting. 9mm was developed for defense.
That said, modern rounds are a lot better than the originals, especially in 9mm.
Still, a .357 will shoot much more powerful loads.
There are hogs and there are hogs. A friend of mine emptied his .44 Magnum into a razorback at close range, while it charged him. Bullets bounced off. #6 at point blank range finally got him, luckily for my friend. I wouldn't worry about being overgunned.
That said, modern rounds are a lot better than the originals, especially in 9mm.
Still, a .357 will shoot much more powerful loads.
There are hogs and there are hogs. A friend of mine emptied his .44 Magnum into a razorback at close range, while it charged him. Bullets bounced off. #6 at point blank range finally got him, luckily for my friend. I wouldn't worry about being overgunned.
janobles14
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i would stick with the .357 for sure. while you have more shots with the 9mm (and by the way im a HUGE ruger P series fan! good job!) i just dont think it would be adequate for that "one time" you had to drop some angry critter.
paintballdude902
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i would do .357 and alternate shotshells(snakes) and regular bullets
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
Can't beat that GP100. If you expect hogs, try some 200g Cast Cores. Try one on a cinderblock full of mud or sand, you'll be impressed.
trickyasafox
Member
if this is your sidearm I assume you carry a long gun. I'd carry the lighter pistol. finishing shots are really where a sidearm shines in hunting I think. (unless your bagging a variety of game in one day, then it could serve different roles.)
I carry a pistol while I hunt too. Mine is a 1911 with home cast lead bullets over a moderate charge. I bring this because, if I ever have the need to finish game, I want to do it with a 3 - 5 cent reload, not a 2 dollar lightfield slug.
that all being said, I've never been in a situation where it was necessary for a finishing shot, but I'm only 24- so take that for what its worth. some guys here have hunted longer than I've been alive.
I carry a pistol while I hunt too. Mine is a 1911 with home cast lead bullets over a moderate charge. I bring this because, if I ever have the need to finish game, I want to do it with a 3 - 5 cent reload, not a 2 dollar lightfield slug.
that all being said, I've never been in a situation where it was necessary for a finishing shot, but I'm only 24- so take that for what its worth. some guys here have hunted longer than I've been alive.
Shawnee
member
+1 for "Tricky's" advice.
Figure the pistol for "dispatch only" shots and the rifle for the "save your kiester" work.
Figure the pistol for "dispatch only" shots and the rifle for the "save your kiester" work.
phantomak47
Member
a .357 mag or a 147 grain 9mm......................
.357!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.357!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, I have bought new guns and understand wanting to carry them when hunting. There is nothing wrong with that. Properly used, at close ranges with good shot placement a 9mm is a good hunting round for game up to deer sizes; however I would consider it too small for hogs in anything but a back up or a last ditch weapon scenario.
Supposing hog zilla charged you and you unloaded with a 9mm, you might take him out, you might not, but what else could you do? Chances are there isn't a lot short of a well placed rifle round that would have done dropped him.
Say that you go into the brush after a hog that you wounded earlier, I would take the sidearm, as rifles are unwieldy in brush. The 9mm would prove more effective there, but you need to keep shots around the head, neck and ear areas. Hit the spinal column or brain and it is over. Study hog anatomy.
I always carry a sidearm when hunting, for 1 it is fun. 2, you never know who you might run into. I think we can all remember that loony toon in Wisonson who just shot the crap out of some hunters. With more and more illegals and convicts and nut cases out in the world growing drugs, or kidnapping or murdering in wilderness areas, it pays to be careful. But the most imporant thing is the keep your first shot well placed (the original rifle shot) and all the other conversation is moot eh?
Good luck.
For the record the .357 is a much better hunting round, but the 9mm is acceptable if you want to carry it.
Supposing hog zilla charged you and you unloaded with a 9mm, you might take him out, you might not, but what else could you do? Chances are there isn't a lot short of a well placed rifle round that would have done dropped him.
Say that you go into the brush after a hog that you wounded earlier, I would take the sidearm, as rifles are unwieldy in brush. The 9mm would prove more effective there, but you need to keep shots around the head, neck and ear areas. Hit the spinal column or brain and it is over. Study hog anatomy.
I always carry a sidearm when hunting, for 1 it is fun. 2, you never know who you might run into. I think we can all remember that loony toon in Wisonson who just shot the crap out of some hunters. With more and more illegals and convicts and nut cases out in the world growing drugs, or kidnapping or murdering in wilderness areas, it pays to be careful. But the most imporant thing is the keep your first shot well placed (the original rifle shot) and all the other conversation is moot eh?
Good luck.
For the record the .357 is a much better hunting round, but the 9mm is acceptable if you want to carry it.
isitdeadyet
Member
9mm will work just fine. I have shot two med size does and one fawn. Each went through, all were below me very close. Berretta 92 124 gr. fed hydra shock. No chase required.
isitdeadyet
Member
I have been here awhile, just hate typing. My only other pistol kill was with a44mag. It wasn't as quick and humane as 9mm. Well, it was a little far back but my ears hurt so bad did'nt want to do a follow up. So I'm sticking to 9mm for my close ups.
Something to think about, a 30-30 is a great all around hog / deer gun. It is handy and fast on the repeat shot. Then carry a .22lr sidearm...
Otherwise, get some of the walker game ear or electronic ear muffs... Having some ear plugs isn't bad either for those dispatch shots.
Otherwise, get some of the walker game ear or electronic ear muffs... Having some ear plugs isn't bad either for those dispatch shots.
MCgunner
Member
My 180 grain Hornady .357 magnum XTP handload out of my 6.5" Blackhawk will take any hog or deer that walks Calhoun County. I would not trust a 9. For a finishing shot, if you don't wanna just chamber another rifle round, a .22 works. But, the .357 is a good deer caliber. The 9 is a good self defense round, especially because it can be carried in some rather light, small pocket autos like my Kel Tec. It ain't the ticket for any sort of hunting IMO, though. BTW, the .30-30 makes a good hunting handgun caliber, too. I've only taken two deer with the .357, my Contender has taken 5.
MCgunner
Member
180 grain XTP/JHP ... 13.8 grains of AA#9 ... ~1400 fps/785 ft lbs from a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk and 1.5" at 50 yards accurate. 5" high at 50 puts it dead on at 100 yards. I just take a 6 oclock hold at 50 and a combat sight picture at 100. Works for me, though I've never shot anything, but paper with it at 100 yards. I can get 50-60 yard shots where I hunt.
HunterGirl
Member
This is actually very similar to something I'm considering. I'm bow hunting in wyoming next week and while I'd love to carry my b/f's new .357 mag - I'm just not as comfortable with it (in fact - niether of us has shot it yet) as I am with the 92FS....
So I'll be carrying the 9mm
So I'll be carrying the 9mm
skinewmexico
Member
Better make sure it's legal to carry a sidearm while bowhunting, it's not in a lot of places.
kmrcstintn
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just my $ .02; .357 magnum revolver w/ Federal 180gr CastCore (or another suitable hardcast lead bone buster) for penetration; if you walk thru snake areas, then load the first one with snakeshot; later
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