357 Magnum for Woods Walking - Out of Fashion?

[gsokk]

Went to pick up my Colt Kodiak in 44 magnum and of course a 357 Grizzly was sent by mistake. Should have the correct gun in a week.

was thinking, is the 357 magnum not as popular as it was for Woods carry? I’m guilty of chasing fads at times, have 41 magnums, 44 magnums, 44 special, 45 colts, 454, 475, and 500 WE, 10mm, 460 Rowland, yada, yada and a few 357’s.

After holding the Grizzly I thought maybe this is  better for my needs living in NE Pennsylvania, 4.25 inch barrel, ported, comfortable neoprene grips, loaded with a 180 grain hard cast bullet should handle anything in PA Woods.

just got me thinking, how many of you members bring out your 357 mags for a nature walk? I’m grateful for all of my guns but this Grizzly sure felt right, hopefully my Kodiak, when she arrives makes the same impression.

 

[paleroadster]

In my state woods walking still requires CC, if you're open carrying and anyone states they felt threatened at the sight of your scary inanimate object you get charged with 'brandishing, intimidation and threatening" just for existing as a state disfavored person. So my choice is a 327PC 2" in .357. It sure is ugly, but I find 19oz, 8 rounds of 357 and enough grip to handle the recoil makes it lovely. Also, almost completely rust proof.

[needsmostuff]

If stopping threats is the sole determining factor I guess it depends on where you live. I live in southern AZ. where the main "threat" level animals walk on two legs or slither on the ground. Most all other critters here will be very successful at avoiding any contact and you have to do stupid things and try really hard to get in a dangerous situation. And that includes the growing mountain lion population.
Snakes? If you have time take two steps and your safe. If you don't have time a gun is not gonna help you.
Bears? I would have to drive 300 miles and wear a pork chop necklace to find one.
Close to the border there are areas where well-armed smugglers are common but common sense should keep you away from there.
Nothing I've ever encountered on a walk-about requires more than a frisky 32 caliber of some sort.
Yeah, but I often carry larger things just because I can.

[Big Bore]

Oct 19, 2024 9:43:04 GMT -5 paleroadster said:

In my state woods walking still requires CC, if you're open carrying and anyone states they felt threatened at the sight of your scary inanimate object you get charged with 'brandishing, intimidation and threatening" just for existing as a state disfavored person. So my choice is a 327PC 2" in .357. It sure is ugly, but I find 19oz, 8 rounds of 357 and enough grip to handle the recoil makes it lovely. Also, almost completely rust proof.

What state do you live in out of curiosity?

[RoninPA]

I'm in central PA and I carry a stainless 4" GP100 .357 (with some speed loaders for the extra ammo) when I'm woods walking and I feel I'm protected from anything that comes my way that wants to do me harm.

[bigbore5]

My normal walking around the property gun is a Police Service Six 4" 357. It's with me clearing brush, on the tractor, cutting deadfall, and most other things as well. Here in my part of NC, it's not unusual for there to be a big black bear hanging around, 300+ pounds is normal but they can top 500.

In the warm months, I carry an NAA 22lr mini with snake shot, but that 357 always stays loaded with the Keith bullet on a heavy charge of H110. I do change over to the 45C Blackhawk when I see signs of a really big bear hanging out on my place, but that 357 gets carried 95% of the time.

[paleroadster]

Oct 19, 2024 10:45:20 GMT -5 Big Bore said:

Oct 19, 2024 9:43:04 GMT -5 paleroadster said:

In my state woods walking still requires CC, if you're open carrying and anyone states they felt threatened at the sight of your scary inanimate object you get charged with 'brandishing, intimidation and threatening" just for existing as a state disfavored person. So my choice is a 327PC 2" in .357. It sure is ugly, but I find 19oz, 8 rounds of 357 and enough grip to handle the recoil makes it lovely. Also, almost completely rust proof.

What state do you live in out of curiosity?

MA, and the house is nearly paid off. I think of moving to a free state often. Now that my employer is a giant, but privately held, company I just might hook a relocation offer. I think we're approaching 50 US locations now, states like NC, Texas etc. We have no family or support system anywhere outside NE though.

[nicholst55]

I have an S&W 686+ (7-shooter) 4" that sees a lot of outdoor time. I can load one chamber with snakeshot, and the other six with something more suitable for larger critters. No bears around here; just hogs, and steers. I try to stay away from the steers.

[singleaction]

I recently listened to Ron Spomer’s podcast interview of Veteran Alaska guide, Phil Shoemaker. Phil said he has settled on a 357 revolver, loaded with heavy hard-cast bullets, for bear defense. He wrote an article, in Handloader magazine, several years ago regarding the use of a M29 Mountain gun in 44 mag with heavy cast. I guess he has evolved his thinking. The 357 has sufficient penetration on a big bear’s skull, with less recoil. I’m a 44/45 caliber guy, but it’s hard to argue with Phil’s logic and ACTUAL EXPERIENCE. I wasn’t convinced to run out and buy a double action 357, but I reckon I see better why some folks like them.

[Encore64]

The 357 Magnum is a fine field cartridge. I'm sure there are acceptable factory loads, but to me it's a handloader's cartridge.

At one time, a true powerhouse of a handgun round. But, it was pimped out as more of a defense cartridge. Revolvers got smaller and factory loads got reduced. Go back and look at some early loading manuals. You'll see the difference in short order.

In an N-Frame, Blackhawk, FA97 or bigger/stronger gun and it's a handloader's dream.

Ditto on the 38 Special...

[ericp]

I dislike the 357 as general purpose field cartridge. In order to be effective it has to be pushed fairly hard with the attendant high pressures and muzzleblast. I shoot enough critters that it takes a toll on my hearing.

My ears are much happier with a 220-280 gr bullet loafing along around 1000fps and that covers everything in Maine. 41 Special and slightly warm 45 colt loads in other words.

For hunting where I'm expecting to shoot and am wearing hearing protection I'm all for the magnums. I also carry a 357 for CCW as it's a great combination of power available in relatively compact packages.

Eric

[x101airborne]

When my 1911-A1 isn't on my hip, my SP101 is. Both have taken hogs, gators, all sorts of smaller animals and my 1911 has taken a steer but that was not the plan; at least when I left out that day.

I have stopped bothering with the snake shot in the first chamber for the most part. A 240 grain HP or a 150 grain solid does the same thing. For 90% of my shooting a wadcutter in 357 Mag cases does just as well as most anything else 2 or 4 legged.

[sharps4590]

I don't dislike the 357 and actually have a fairly high opinion of the cartridge. However, I never could get excited about it and the first 15 years of my adult shooting/hunting life owned 5 or 6 different ones. I haven't owned one in 35 or more years. So, no sir, it is not my woods walking revolver.

I had a 44 Mag. for a while but got on the 45 Colt bandwagon before Linebaugh, Bowen, Reeder and others started their excellent work with the old war horse and, except for the 32-20 which I dearly love, has been my working handgun cartridge for over 40 years. Much of that in an old EMF Dakota or 3rd Gen. Colt.

[tj3006]

A good load in a .357 has offers a ton of penatration. I really don't think there are many animals walking north America that would be much of a threat after taking a head shot at close range.
...tj

[ldmay375]

Oct 19, 2024 9:30:41 GMT -5 gsokk said:

Went to pick up my Colt Kodiak in 44 magnum and of course a 357 Grizzly was sent by mistake. Should have the correct gun in a week.

was thinking, is the 357 magnum not as popular as it was for Woods carry? I’m guilty of chasing fads at times, have 41 magnums, 44 magnums, 44 special, 45 colts, 454, 475, and 500 WE, 10mm, 460 Rowland, yada, yada and a few 357’s.

After holding the Grizzly I thought maybe this is  better for my needs living in NE Pennsylvania, 4.25 inch barrel, ported, comfortable neoprene grips, loaded with a 180 grain hard cast bullet should handle anything in PA Woods.

just got me thinking, how many of you members bring out your 357 mags for a nature walk? I’m grateful for all of my guns but this Grizzly sure felt right, hopefully my Kodiak, when she arrives makes the same impression.

 

I like the double action 357's. The 357 magnum would not be my first choice to do close combat battle with a grizzly/ brown or big black bear. But, I recall it doing in more than one grizzly.

I have had a 4" stainless Ruger Security Six for a long time. And for a long time it was the only centerfire revolver that I owned. I pretty much carried it everywhere. I also have other 357's now. Perhaps my favorite is my wife's 4" 7 shot 686.

I saw one of the Colt Grizzlies the other day. Do they all come with the ports ? I did not handle it, but thought it was a nice looking revolver.