357 vs 10mm which one?

[fxstchewy]

New Year is around the corner and i am looking to buy a new toy, Glock 20 is the front runner because i like Glocks, i have a GP100 and i am looking at next year doing some close up deer hunting with a pistol so my question is do i get the Glock 20 or just use the GP100? i have alot of .40 ammo that i can use for range time with a barrel change on the 20.
What will the 10mm get me that the 357 won't?
Also, i am wanting to pick-up a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel so the Glock 20 or SP101 will be my New Years purchase, do i really need to add another cartridge to keep up with? what do you guy's recommend? Thanks.

 

[ku4hx]

Through the screens of my PACT2 chronograph, a 10mm 135 grain bullet over 13.8 grains of AA#7 clocks an average 1,379fps 10’ from the muzzle of my G20. In that same gun, a 150 grain bullet over 15.9 grains of AA#9 averaged only slightly slower. A few were actually faster.

125 grain .357 Magnum loads in my 4” GP100 average maybe 50-60 fps faster than 10mm 135 grain loads. 150 Grain loads in the same GP100 are slower than the 10mm but could likely be improved.

Generally in my tests, as bullet weight goes up, the 10mm generates higher muzzle velocity. With modern bullets, any advantage there might well be cancelled or at least lessened.

These are my numbers, YMMV as is the usual case.

The .357 Magnum is one of my all time favorite cartridges but assuming my G20 is as reliable as my GP100, which it is, I’d opt for sixteen full power 10mm rounds on tap in place of six or seven. If I choose to use a magazine extension (Arredondo), I can go to twenty-one rounds at the ready.

It all depends on what you want and what you feel is adequate.

As far as adding another cartridge, what difference does it make? Guns are easy to maintain, take up little space, if properly protected (as the finish and design require) can be left unattended for long periods of time without degrading. If it's something you want and can afford why not have it? It's not like any one of them will ever get angry and demand "me time".

 

[Plan2Live]

I’d opt for sixteen full power 10mm rounds on tap in place of six or seven

How many rounds does it take to bring down a deer at close range? Or do you use the pistol to tenderize the meat?

 

[FLNT4EVR]

I took a small buck just this fall with my GP100 .I used my 158 grn jsp handloads . Hit him just behind the right shoulder ,took out both lungs ,bullet exited just in front of the left rear hip. Buck traveled about 40 yds.Range was about 30 yds. With my hand loads I can shoot 2 inch groups at 25 yds. I much prefer the heavier bullets for hunting , and my GP100 shoots them better than the lighter stuff. It only took 1 shot.

 

[Surly]

How many rounds does it take to bring down a deer at close range? Or do you use the pistol to tenderize the meat?

I carry my G-20 when I'm hunting, but that's because I carry it everywhere else when I'm not hunting. I carry the Glock because it's easier to conceal than a rifle. I never considered using a pistol for hunting when a rifle is better suited for that purpose. Judging by what the OP wrote, he's not asking which is better suited for hunting.

 

[115grfmj]

357 all the way

Personally I believe that the 357 is a more versatile cartridge, available in a wider assortment of platforms (from snubbies, to autoloaders,revolvers to rifles), firearms chambered for the magnum, can also fire 38's with no modification. Of those platforms I believe the 4" revolver is the most versatile of all. Capable of everything from plinking(with 38's) to, introducing new shooters, to serious target work, defensive work to hunting medium size game.

Frankly I think the .357 is the most all around cartridge, the handgun world has to offer. You can't really call you collection complete without one, If you don't have one yet.....time to go shopping

You really can't go wrong with either the gp100 or S&W 686, both are great quality guns, that will give pride of ownership your whole life. Yours kids will be using them long after your gone.

 

[Plan2Live]

The OP said

i am looking at next year doing some close up deer hunting with a pistol

I must have taken that sentence out of context, my bad. I could have sworn it meant he was going to use a pistol for some close up hunting.

 

[Kosh75287]

The "Old School" rule for hunting deer with a handgun was:
1.) Nothing smaller than .40".
2.) Nothing lighter than 200 grains.
3.) Nothing slower than 1000 f/s at the muzzle.

I suspect that the authors of this rule were not depending on expansion of the projectile in the target, and this is probably still a good idea. The .357 Mag exceeds all but one of these criteria, and cannot be made to fulfill the one in which it is lacking.

I think I'd prefer the 10mm in a load that well and truly exceeds the "200 grains at 1000 f/s" rule on the basis that it will likely create a higher-volume wound channel, whether it expands or not. JMHO.

 

[murf]

the glock has fixed sights. so the hunting bullet you choose may not go where you are pointing the gun.

that is the only downside i see to getting the glock for hunting.

murf

 

[bucknife]

dang

I guess that means my .22 is out. probably killed more deer and caribou than anything else. I personally own a glock 40s&w and an xdm in 45acp but prefer my 357 or 44 mags to hunt with. don't care to hunt with 40 or 45acp. just my opinion. and the 10mm is just a wimpy 41mag.

.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer revolvers and do NOT like Glocks at all. So, you KNOW my choice. Ballistics, six of one, half dozen of the other. I have 4 .357 magnums and no 10mms. They don't make a 10 I'd wanna carry every day, anyway. 10 is sorta dead. And, rather than to have to get into reloading the 10, I'd get a Coonan if I wanted an autochucker of magnum level power. 10 is a good round, though, and MADE for autoloaders. I figure it's superior in autoloaders to getting a Coonan, I just don't want anymore variety. I have enough already and if I lost ONE piece of 10mm brass in the grass, I'd feel REAL depressed.

 

[buck460XVR]

How many rounds does it take to bring down a deer at close range? Or do you use the pistol to tenderize the meat?

I was wonderin' that too.

If you are using factory ammo, finding true hunting type ammo in 10mm, appropriate for deer, may be difficult at best. I have taken several deer with a .357 and using the correct load and bullet type/weight was much more important than the amount of rounds it held. Next on the criteria list is accuracy. Neither the .357 or the 10mm will give you much margin of error to compensate for poor shots. You need to be able to put every round, in the kill zone, at the range you are shooting at. Shooting a deer @ 40 yards is much different than just hitting a paper target @ 15.

 

[MCgunner]

The "Old School" rule for hunting deer with a handgun was:
1.) Nothing smaller than .40".
2.) Nothing lighter than 200 grains.
3.) Nothing slower than 1000 f/s at the muzzle.

I suspect that the authors of this rule were not depending on expansion of the projectile in the target, and this is probably still a good idea. The .357 Mag exceeds all but one of these criteria, and cannot be made to fulfill the one in which it is lacking.

I've never used anything, but a cast SWC, Keith style, weighing 165 grains with the gas check installed to kill deer and hogs with the .357 magnum. Rules are made to be broken and some rules are set by the ignorant. That's why politicians as stupid, they have to be to make rules. Besides, if this rule were the case, my .30-30 contender would not be the good hunting handgun I know that it is. My .357 considerably exceeds the 1000 fps makr with a 180 grain pill even in a 2" barrel and my .30-30 more than DOUBLES it with a 150 grain pill.

 

[fxstchewy]

I am hoping at 20 yards that all it's gonna take is one in the boiler room.

 

[smkummer]

I know what I would get-.357

And 90% of the time it would be fired with 38 special. A carry gun would be the 4 in. Target or hunting would be a 6". Finding and picking up brass gets old, 10mm is not laying all over the place like 9mm and 40. I was just out shooting a 16" metal plate at 200 yards with a scope python 8" Hunter. All of my 6 in. Colts will hit that same plate at 100 yards with open sights all day long and I only need a 38 plus P to do that going out at 850-900 FPS.

 

[fxstchewy]

A carry gun would be the 4 in. Target or hunting would be a 6".

That's one issue is that my GP100 is a 4"er and the Glock has a 4.6" and can go out to 9" but in my state legally i have no barrel restriction so for hunting at 20yds i don't know if it matters.

 

[strambo]

For hunting the advantage of bullet selection w/o reliability concerns goes to the .357 revolver. Also, no purchase needed since you already have it. OTOH, this is a great excuse to get a G20 and I'm sure the deer won't notice any difference.

 

[strambo]

That's one issue is that my GP100 is a 4"er and the Glock has a 4.6" and can go out to 9" but in my state legally i have no barrel restriction so for hunting at 20yds I don't know if it matters.

The effective barrel length is likely longer in the 4" GP, auto measurement includes the chamber.

 

[gamestalker]

Either one will put a deer down, but I think the .357 would be a bit easier to find appropriate bullets for this application, and it's the most practical choice. Is it even legal to use an AL (16 rounds) pistol to hunt deer with, it's not in my state.

I knew a guy many moons ago who killed a deer with his Uzi. About 30 rounds later, and much work cutting off the ruined meat, there was about 3 ounces of consumable meat.

Myself and my Son's have successfully taken a few deer with .357 mag., so my opinion is going to be the wheel gun.

GS

 

[ATAShooter]

357 with the Barnes Vor-tx #21543 140gr. There is a video on the GP100 with this ammo on youtube. Definitely a good watch.

 

[SDGlock23]

Of those two, I'd lean towards the 357 just because you have one, yes I know it's not exciting because let's face it, you want a new toy, I know how it is. Bullet weight for bullet weight, velocity for velocity the 10mm and .357 Mag are nearly identical, although I'd give the edge in penetration to the .357 Mag (ex. a 155gr .357 will way out penetrate a 155gr 10mm).

The 10mm has the bigger bullet, which is a plus but honestly, what will a 10mm do that a .40 won't? You said you have a lot of .40 ammo so I'm going to assume you have a .40 and you can get 180gr @ 1100 or 200gr @ 1100 (hardcast) from a .40 and that will kill anything a 10mm will.

If you want a new toy and want more gun, consider getting a .41 Mag, .44 Mag or bigger yet. Ruger Blackhawks or Super Blackhawks pump out a LOT of power for the price tag.

 

[fxstchewy]

If you want a new toy and want more gun, consider getting a .41 Mag, .44 Mag or bigger yet. Ruger Blackhawks or Super Blackhawks pump out a LOT of power for the price tag.

Now that's an idea that sounds good.

 

[GLOOB]

For an average deer at 20-30 yards, it probably doesn't matter. Your 357 will be fine.

I personally would have no use for a 3" SP101. I have a 3" GP100, and IMO a 3" 357 is a great way to get 357 level muzzle blast and recoil with sub-40SW level performance. Out of an SP101, make that x2. But if you like 357 revolvers, the 3" is kinda neat to have.

OTOH, if you also like Glocks, that's a tough decision. I like the G20 and G21 SF. I shoot them better than any of my other handguns, 6" smith included. If you have never owned a G20/21, yet, you might want to give this one a try, as a Glock fan.

i have alot of .40 ammo that i can use for range time with a barrel change on the 20.

I know there's some arguing over this, but it is absolutely possible to shoot 40SW in a bone stock G20.

 

[jmr40]

If you're going to hunt, buy a 357 with at least a 6" barrel. You'll get a little more speed, better sights, and a better trigger.

If you're looking for a lighter, shorter barreled gun for woods protection 10mm is a much better choice. A 357 looks good on paper when fired from 8" test barrels. 6" guns don't give up too much, but 3" and 4" 357's will just barely outperform 9mm.

All semi-auto rounds are tested in 4-5" barrels and real world performance is much closer to published numbers.

My G-20 is 1" shorter and 3/4 lb lighter than my 3" S&W 629. I get an honest 1315 fps with 200 gr hardcast bullets from Double Tap in the 10mm. The 44 mag will just barely get 1150 fps with 240 gr bullets when fired from the 3" barrel. Far from the advertised 1500 fps an 8" barrel would get. The 44 still wins, just not by enough for me to choose it over a much lighter, more compact gun holding almost 3X more ammo. And with far less recoil and blast.

And yes. 40S&W ammo shoots just fine in my Glock with the 10mm barrel and magazine. Can't say it will work in any other 10mm pistol.

 

[GLOOB]

Good points. But I sure hope OP wasn't going to hunt deer with a 3" SP101.