uhh, I'm no expert - but, don't those hogs travel in sometimes pretty large groups? Just for the sake of discussion, and for maybe someone with experience with the feral hogs, would you really want to run into a team of those guys and have a six shot revolver?
Black bear would *probably* be relatively rare, and if cougar truly got after ya with an intent to have you for lunch... you wouldn't know it until it's jaws was around your throat.Minimal is kinda relative, especially in handguns where a 38 and a 357 are worlds apart in power but a 2” 357 and a 4” 38 are in reality pretty close. Since your tossing lion and blackies in the mix I’m going to say that exactly that option is my minimum in power level, and of the options I would opt more in favor of the 4” 38 because they are easy to shoot and get good hits, not to mention practice with because snub 357s are all around obnoxious to ears, eyes, hands, and face. BUT I will add that a 4” 357 is the same size and weight, so why not step it up a notch in power with essentially no felt effect. In fact I would step it DOWN even to a 3” .357 balancing the portability and power levels. It helps that one recently came to market with swappable cylinders that also will shoot 9mm. I have nothing left to complain about in a 357 for secondary arm or even primary arm if I’m not actively hunting. If hunting I want a longer barrel for a better sight radius and to build velocity meaning flatter trajectory for long shots.
The OP told me in an email that the guy shooting the 357 mag recovered all the bullets and they were expanded and stopped in the hog. Sounds like poor shooting and the wrong bullets being used. I would rather have a hard cast or at least a tough soft point to maximize penetration. I don't think you can blame the gun or cartridge for this failure.
uhh, I'm no expert - but, don't those hogs travel in sometimes pretty large groups? Just for the sake of discussion, and for maybe someone with experience with the feral hogs, would you really want to run into a team of those guys and have a six shot revolver?
In the South, or anywhere else outside big bear country, the .357 Magnum is plenty.
How about a properly loaded to warm .44 Spl, or a properly loaded .45 Colt; both with hard cast bullets ? Would they be classified as "minimal" ?I wouldn’t personally characterize it as “plenty,” it’s more minimal. I think the .44 Mag would be a good all-around piece.
S&W Mdl 69 ? It'll tolerate any factory .44 Mag, but is more suitable to .44 Spl's. Also, it is a matter of compromise.A woods load is no good if it can't be fired in a woods revolver. That rules out 44 magnums, because any 44 mag that's light enough to carry all day would be too light to shoot. My woods gun is a Charter Arms Target Bulldog in 44 Special with adjustable sights and a 4" barrel. It's filled with Buffalo Bore 200 grain wadcutters. They hit hard and penetrate, and they're the hottest load you can safely shoot in a light gun like a Bulldog.
A woods load is no good if it can't be fired in a woods revolver. That rules out 44 magnums, because any 44 mag that's light enough to carry all day would be too light to shoot. My woods gun is a Charter Arms Target Bulldog in 44 Special with adjustable sights and a 4" barrel. It's filled with Buffalo Bore 200 grain wadcutters. They hit hard and penetrate, and they're the hottest load you can safely shoot in a light gun like a Bulldog.
I carry my Colt New Service -- both in the woods and in town occasionally. It's very comfortable in an El Paso Saddlery #88 pancake holster.How is a 3-lb revolver a dealbreaker? All of my carry rigs are comfortable.
I carry my Colt New Service -- both in the woods and in town occasionally. It's very comfortable in an El Paso Saddlery #88 pancake holster.
Yep -- and I put on adjustable sights and Herrett grips.Remind me please, good sir; isn't your Colt New Service chambered in .45 Colt ?
Very nice. What manner of foul and vicious beasts populate your locale, if I may ask ?Yep -- and I put on adjustable sights and Herrett grips.
A woods load is no good if it can't be fired in a woods revolver. That rules out 44 magnums, because any 44 mag that's light enough to carry all day would be too light to shoot. My woods gun is a Charter Arms Target Bulldog in 44 Special with adjustable sights and a 4" barrel. It's filled with Buffalo Bore 200 grain wadcutters. They hit hard and penetrate, and they're the hottest load you can safely shoot in a light gun like a Bulldog.