Which projectile in a .357 Magnum for critter defense?

[Melnibonean]

I'm planning another rifle hunt in the US and this time I will be bringing my 6" 686 with me for wilderness carry. I reload my own, and currently have 158gr projectiles in Cast, JHP, and JSP flavors.

Should the need arise, out of curiosity and interest in expanding my knowledge, which one should I load and bring with me? The area I will be hunting in is the southwest, and the predators there are coyotes and cougar, although I don't expect any 'yote to get within 50 yrds of me.

 

[dogzilla]

Carrying a rifle kind of makes carrying a handgun for critter defense redundant

 

[geologist]

Neither coyotes nor cougars are heavy animals. You might be able to use JHPs in your revolver. If you will be shooting the .357s out of a carbine as well, you'd have to test the JHPs from the rifle to see if your bullets are constructed strongly enough for the increased velocity.

Otherwise, handgun only you would be good to go with gas checked cast or JSPs loaded to whatever you and your revolver can handle.

 

[Melnibonean]

Carrying a rifle kind of makes carrying a handgun for critter defense redundant

I should have added that my hunts are day long affairs where I take the opportunity to camp outdoors as well. Collecting firewood, for example, or answering the call of nature makes carrying a rifle around impractical during those times. Also, Rattlers abound in the Southwest, and hitting one with a rifle is a lot harder than hitting one with shot out of a revolver.

Neither coyotes nor cougars are heavy animals. You might be able to use JHPs in your revolver. If you will be shooting the .357s out of a carbine as well, you'd have to test the JHPs from the rifle to see if your bullets are constructed strongly enough for the increased velocity.

Otherwise, handgun only you would be good to go with gas checked cast or JSPs loaded to whatever you and your revolver can handle.

Thanks. So cast or JSP out of the revolver should be more effective than JHP, if I understand you correctly, and the hotter the better at that (but not so hot that I lead the barrel if shooting cast). That's the sort of opinion I was looking for.

 

[norskie]

I would look at Barnes 140 grain XFB. If they penetrate like their rifle counterparts that would be the ticket.

 

[Brutus]

Privat partisan makes a 180 grain truncated flat nose FMJ that looks promising.

 

[New Camper]

I should have added that my hunts are day long affairs where I take the opportunity to camp outdoors as well. Collecting firewood, for example, or answering the call of nature makes carrying a rifle around impractical during those times. Also, Rattlers abound in the Southwest, and hitting one with a rifle is a lot harder than hitting one with shot out of a revolver.


Thanks. So cast or JSP out of the revolver should be more effective than JHP, if I understand you correctly, and the hotter the better at that (but not so hot that I lead the barrel if shooting cast). That's the sort of opinion I was looking for.

You could also add, that "just because" you can you want to carry it. Texas? Wild Boar? Something I would like to do also, and would also like to pack my own firearms: A rifle and 44mag is what I want to take provided I can arrange the red tape.

I gather that the sole purpose of carrying the handgun is for defensive purpose when you can't carry the rifle in which case it won't matter what hits the predator so long as it efficiently causes death. I'd suggest Hornady XTPs loaded to the typical power a 357mag offers, however I read that these bullets will expand to 1.5X the size, but with lack of experience in this country (many thanks hoplophobes) can only reason that they are made for self defense against two legged creatures that are about as thick bodied as the two predators who mentioned. Solid JSP will have greater penetration I expect than the XTP, but through the target two times is not imparting all energy in the target.

Here's a video of 158gr JSP penetration: Clearly more penetration than needed, and little expansion.

This video isn't XTP hollowpoints - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llyEYoMgbOQ

This isn't to suggest I am disagreeing with geologist, for his post was logical: Just offering a meagre opinion on the use of JHPs, and echo his concerns about being used in the carbine. What we lack in Canada is practical experience with certain loads in wild animals: Obviously we desire that your hunting trip is pleasant with no presentation of threat, but if there is, you are equipped and experienced to neutralize it.

Enjoy your trip: You are having an experience I look forward to taking some day.

 

[Melnibonean]

You could also add, that "just because" you can you want to carry it. Texas? Wild Boar? Something I would like to do also, and would also like to pack my own firearms: A rifle and 44mag is what I want to take provided I can arrange the red tape.....
Enjoy your trip: You are having an experience I look forward to taking some day.

Thanks Camper. I just got back from a work contract in North Carolina where I went hunting for real Russian boar every weekend. Carried my AR and an M&P45 everywhere I went in the woods and it was beyond a great feeling to be able to. I had the .45 with me because at the time I drew up my Form 6, I didn't own a 686. I brought it with me incase my AR malfunctioned and a tusker decided to charge (they're known to do that, unlike the feral pigs Texas and Florida have, which tend to run away), and quite frankly (like you said), because I could do so, damn it!

This contract will be in Arizona, so it'll be other game I'll be going after, and other things that may decide to try and take a bite out of my maple flavoured Canadian hide, hence the questions.

Thanks for the info!