Need advice on .357 mag hundgun for called-in coyotes
- Thread starter azmark
- Start date
IDBob
New member
Best I can say is a heavier gun with a longer barrel is easier to shoot with full power loads. If you can carry a six inch gun that's going to be a little easier to shoot than a four inch gun.
I'd stay away from the super ultra-light 357's they are a bummer to shoot much.
Smith and Wesson, Taurus and Colt all make nice wheel guns. The L frame Smiths in a four inch seven shot version is a dandy shooter and in the four inch version is not a bad carry in the woods gun.
I personally like either the 41 or better yet the 44 mag simply because I can reload for almost the same money as the 357 and with the right reloads it doesn't have any more recoil than a 357 set up right. I spent lots of years hand gun hunting and the bigger bores kill better at longer ranges for big game.
When your looking for your new 357 try to get into someplace like Sportsman Warehouse or Cabela's where you can handle several. Better yet try to get to one of the ranges where you can shoot several different revolvers.
Here's my carry in the woods gun. A Taurus Stainless Tracker four inch five shot 41 mag. I shoot cast 210 grain bullets out of this 41 mag at around 950 fps. It's ported and with those loads pleasant to shoot for a 35 ounce gun.
Here's what I use for handgun hunting. Ruger Redhawk and super Redhawks.
I'd stay away from the super ultra-light 357's they are a bummer to shoot much.
Smith and Wesson, Taurus and Colt all make nice wheel guns. The L frame Smiths in a four inch seven shot version is a dandy shooter and in the four inch version is not a bad carry in the woods gun.
I personally like either the 41 or better yet the 44 mag simply because I can reload for almost the same money as the 357 and with the right reloads it doesn't have any more recoil than a 357 set up right. I spent lots of years hand gun hunting and the bigger bores kill better at longer ranges for big game.
When your looking for your new 357 try to get into someplace like Sportsman Warehouse or Cabela's where you can handle several. Better yet try to get to one of the ranges where you can shoot several different revolvers.
Here's my carry in the woods gun. A Taurus Stainless Tracker four inch five shot 41 mag. I shoot cast 210 grain bullets out of this 41 mag at around 950 fps. It's ported and with those loads pleasant to shoot for a 35 ounce gun.
Here's what I use for handgun hunting. Ruger Redhawk and super Redhawks.
ColoradoOsprey
New member
Any wheel gun in a 4-6" barrel should do. Some prefer single action, others prefer double action. My personal choices have been a S&W 586 6" and Ruger Vaquero. I'm sure my little 2" 5 shot Taurus 605 will work, but it is a little violent to shooot. Heck even the Desert Eagle will work, but they are only reliable shooting 158 grain bullets...or at least mine was.
I have been a 357 fan for a long time. I have been known to take my Winny carbine in 357 mag also.
I know a lot of people will say why not a 44 mag, but I believe that most people can shoot the 357 more accurately and shoot it more to become more proficient with it.
I agree with the 41 mag being a happy medium...just harder to find a wide variety of guns and ammo like the 357.
I have been a 357 fan for a long time. I have been known to take my Winny carbine in 357 mag also.
I know a lot of people will say why not a 44 mag, but I believe that most people can shoot the 357 more accurately and shoot it more to become more proficient with it.
I agree with the 41 mag being a happy medium...just harder to find a wide variety of guns and ammo like the 357.
Dogboy
New member
Nothing wrong with a 357, a proven man stopper for decades.
If your going to use it for coyote hunting too, then I'd go with a 6" barrel.
You better practice shooting though, using a pistol on a caggy coyote might humble you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I will be going out soon with my Thompson Contender in 22 Hornet and see if I can bag a yote or get humbled too!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I'm sure you will get alot of opinions on what handgun to buy for both hunting and self defense... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
If your going to use it for coyote hunting too, then I'd go with a 6" barrel.
You better practice shooting though, using a pistol on a caggy coyote might humble you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I will be going out soon with my Thompson Contender in 22 Hornet and see if I can bag a yote or get humbled too!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I'm sure you will get alot of opinions on what handgun to buy for both hunting and self defense... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Revolvers are great to learn trigger control in DA mode. There is not really a significant difference to worry over in calibers for your stated purpose. The .357, the .41 and the .44 are all Magnums and will do the job if you do yours. Better to stick with the .44 but the .41 is better to shoot if you reload.
Taurus makes good guns not to be shot in competition {accuracy or large round counts}for a reasonable price. I have a number of S&W guns and needed them rebuilt after 20,000 rounds.
Best regards,
chalmitch
Taurus makes good guns not to be shot in competition {accuracy or large round counts}for a reasonable price. I have a number of S&W guns and needed them rebuilt after 20,000 rounds.
Best regards,
chalmitch
The other day I got a chance to hold the Smith model 60 with the 5 incher, wow, that one is now on my list of must haves, would be great for this, light, tough, and long enuf barrel to help the noise and recoil a bit. Not to mention Smooooooth.
I have an sp101 3" and that would work fine, also have a gp100 and a vaquero. All of these would be just fine with the right amount of practice.
good luck, and have fun choosing
Dave
I have an sp101 3" and that would work fine, also have a gp100 and a vaquero. All of these would be just fine with the right amount of practice.
good luck, and have fun choosing
Dave
GC
Well-known member
Quote:
What range do you guys feel confident shooting a coyote out to? I am going to carry my 6" GP100 this fall when I quail hunt. My practicing tells me 50-75 yards max.
Range depends upon your skill level. How far can you reliably hit a six inch circle from field shooting positions? That's your range... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
What range do you guys feel confident shooting a coyote out to? I am going to carry my 6" GP100 this fall when I quail hunt. My practicing tells me 50-75 yards max.
Range depends upon your skill level. How far can you reliably hit a six inch circle from field shooting positions? That's your range... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Tarry
New member
This is a tough one. You are looking for a dual purpose gun and the best specification for each is at oppsite ends of the spectrum.
I shot pistol competition in my youth and used a S&W 686 357 with a 6 inch barrel and scope for bullseye shoots. Wonderfully gun! It was accurrate, heavy enough to ease recoil and had an easy roll when fired that allowed a good follow up shoot without adjusting your grip. Because we shot out to 50 yards I used a fairly hot load with a semi wadcutter to get the best trajectory. This very much simulates hunting and I have hunted deer with it with decent sucess. However this is not in my opinion a good options for home defense. Long barrel guns are easier to have wrenched out of your hands by an intruder and the highpower cartiage would esily penitrate walls and endanger family on the other side.
Combat competition is in all realty is aggressive home defense shooting. The best gun was a large caliber auto. It is short, fast handling and quick reloading. Slower bullet velocities usally translates into less penetration and safer inside a home. I think the 40s and 45s reign king in home defense.
It sounds like to me you have a good reason to buy 2 handguns! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now how convienent is that. However if you are limited to one I would go with the advice other have given here. A "Good Quaility" wheel gun with a minimum of 6 inch barrel and at least a 357 caliber would be your best bet.
Don't over look the Rugers GP series. Great guns at a great price. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
I shot pistol competition in my youth and used a S&W 686 357 with a 6 inch barrel and scope for bullseye shoots. Wonderfully gun! It was accurrate, heavy enough to ease recoil and had an easy roll when fired that allowed a good follow up shoot without adjusting your grip. Because we shot out to 50 yards I used a fairly hot load with a semi wadcutter to get the best trajectory. This very much simulates hunting and I have hunted deer with it with decent sucess. However this is not in my opinion a good options for home defense. Long barrel guns are easier to have wrenched out of your hands by an intruder and the highpower cartiage would esily penitrate walls and endanger family on the other side.
Combat competition is in all realty is aggressive home defense shooting. The best gun was a large caliber auto. It is short, fast handling and quick reloading. Slower bullet velocities usally translates into less penetration and safer inside a home. I think the 40s and 45s reign king in home defense.
It sounds like to me you have a good reason to buy 2 handguns! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now how convienent is that. However if you are limited to one I would go with the advice other have given here. A "Good Quaility" wheel gun with a minimum of 6 inch barrel and at least a 357 caliber would be your best bet.
Don't over look the Rugers GP series. Great guns at a great price. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
azcoyotehunter
New member
I shoot a Taurus 608 6", it's an 8-Shot .357. I paid $410 out the door for it, I've had it modified for moon clips for faster reloading.
Beastmaster
New member
I am researching an article dealing with handgun hunting for predators. Based on my research and based on a lifetime of close association with hand guns, I favor the Colt Python as the best available. I hunted with an eight inch Python (borrowed from Jay Nistitter) and was able to cloverleaf three out of four shots at fifty yards, all such done from a sitting position and using .357 handloads. The bad news? Pythons cost an arm and a leg.
oldmuleskinner
New member
I carried a 6" S&W Model 19 for years as a police officer. It was and still is a great shooter. I have several other .357s, but the M-19 is still my favorite. Evan Marshall, who wrote the definitive book on handgun stopping power based on actual street shootings, found that the .357 with 125gr JHPs was at the top of the list of one shot stops at 95 to 96%. My experience with it on yotes has been "bang-dead". If you can find a nice used M-19 in 6", I'd pick it up. The 6" is really no more accurate than a 4" barrel, but the longer barrel's extended sight radius makes it easier to hit with for most people.
I'm sure that you would also like the models produced by Ruger, Colt, Dan Wesson and Taurus. The Marlin .357 carbine makes a great companion piece, as would a Winchester or even a Rossi. A big plus for the .357 is the ability to shoot .38 specials. I agree with MGYSGT - it carries best in a shoulder holster.
I'm sure that you would also like the models produced by Ruger, Colt, Dan Wesson and Taurus. The Marlin .357 carbine makes a great companion piece, as would a Winchester or even a Rossi. A big plus for the .357 is the ability to shoot .38 specials. I agree with MGYSGT - it carries best in a shoulder holster.