.357?

[JRA86]

I live in western WA where i have hunted for deer/elk for several years. My job also keeps me in the outdoors 5 days a week (lucky i know) I have a wealth of experience with rifles from my time afield but i have never owned a handgun. Its been made clear to me from many that a 357 would be a great place to start. I've hunted in Idaho for several yrs amoungst an ever growing wolf population and have preceded to take a few trips to AK on recent hunting excursions. Would be nice to have a sidearm for personal use and protection. Something light enough to not make an 8 mile hike completely unbearable (no pun intended) but will surely pack a big enough punch for protection against possible predators. As a side note i have always been partial to the possibilities of a revolver... just saying. Really appreciate any referrals on the matter and possibly the best place to find the piece whether it be online, cabelas, local gun show, etc. I appreciate any nudge in the right direction. Thanks

[HawkCreek]

I like my S&W 686 but a lot of people say the Rugers are real strong handguns too. My .357 sits home most of the time now, it lost out against my 10mm Glock.

[Rich_S]

Why would you want a .357 when you could have a .44? I think I paid around $300 for this Rossi .44 special on Gunbroker. It is comfortable to shoot - my wife even likes it. That is, as much as a Y-chromosome can actually like a gun.

I have a 6" S&W 686 .357, but it hasn't been out of the box in years.

[RadSav]

I've taken a hand full of pigs (one nearly 500#) and finished off a few blackbear with the .357.  It has performed flawlessly with the 158 grain Hornady XTP.  And I expect there are few exceptions in the lower 48 where it is not dang near perfect. 

However, in discussions with guide friends in areas known to have the big bear NOT ONE encourage you to pack the .357.  One guide from Chichagof Island smiled and said, "The important thing to remember when facing an angry brown bear...don't piss it off any more than he or she already is!"   A few gave the thumbs up to one of my favorites, the 41, but most that I have spoke with say the 44 mag is a good place to start if you absolutely must carry a handgun.  And the 454 & 500 are getting better.  Though most of the big bear guides I know do not carry a handgun preferring instead to carry a rifle or shotgun. 

One Canadian guide, after having two close calls in a single year, put away his 338WM and began carrying a custom stainless Marlin in 450 with a cowboy lever.  After using it to tag his own 2010 monster griz at 20 yards he says, "First time in 20 years I feel comfortable in the bush when I know arctos horribilis is close by."

[Bofire]

  357s are way underrated and 44s way overrated, neither one is a good option for bear. I have cut 44 bullets out of the neck of a black bear and seen two other black bears killed with handguns.
Bullets in general and in handgun cartridges are vastly improved over the last 20 years but the idea of "energy impact" from either cartridge is a joke. A lowly 30-30 hits WAY harder than either.
A 357 on your belt is a lot better than a 44 in your car. Get a gun you will carry, like, trust and SHOOT ALOT. 357 with 180 grain solid is a good choice so is a 44 with the biggest solid you can get and shoot well. Forget hollow points in both for bear, save those for deer or meth heads.
I'll take a 357 or 44 diameter hole, several inches deep, over 2 inch penetration and expansion.

In my opinion the best gun is one you can shoot really well and quickly and is one that you will carry, meaning comfortably.
my 2
Carl

[MP123]

One very nice thing about the .357 for a newer handgun shooter (or even an experienced one) is you can also shoot .38 special in it.  .38 is cheap, plentiful, very little recoil, and all around fun to shoot.  That way you can practice a lot and still switch over to .357 when you're carrying for real.

[AWS]

For many years I packed a S&W Model 13 HB in 357 with custom adjustable sights.  For grouse I kept a speed loader full DBLEWC.  These days I only pack a hand gun if I'm not packing a shotgun or rifle.  I now carry a Tracker 41 Mag, as light as possible and as powerful as I can control.  As an old Indian(Asian) hunter said when asked about the recoil from a  12ga Howda pistol.  "When your arm is up to the elbow in a tigers mouth recoil is insignificant".

[RadSav]

For many years I packed a S&W Model 13 HB in 357 with custom adjustable sights.  For grouse I kept a speed loader full DBLEWC.  These days I only pack a hand gun if I'm not packing a shotgun or rifle.  I now carry a Tracker 41 Mag, as light as possible and as powerful as I can control.  As an old Indian(Asian) hunter said when asked about the recoil from a  12ga Howda pistol.  "When your arm is up to the elbow in a tigers mouth recoil is insignificant".

[dawei]

Why would you want a .357 when you could have a .44? I think I paid around $300 for this Rossi .44 special on Gunbroker. It is comfortable to shoot - my wife even likes it. That is, as much as a Y-chromosome can actually like a gun.

I have a 6" S&W 686 .357, but it hasn't been out of the box in years.

Women only have the X chromosome, you have the Y chromosome; just sayin'...

[Rich_S]

I never do well on multiple choice tests. 

[JRA86]

Awesome! I appreciate all the feedback! Gives me alot to think about. The more the better

[Bean Counter]

My wife has the S&W 640 with CT laser grips. We've fired a few .357s out of it but chose to load it with .38 Cor-Bon DPX. My understanding is that the shorter snub nose revolvers don't affect much rifiling on the round before it leaves the gun, and the Cor-Bon round really shines in this regard.  Its probably more suited for CCW and close range (bad breath distance) 2 legged predators rather than a pack of four legged predators that you may chose to engage at further distances. It sure fits the bill for light weight and compact though.