I'm buying a.357mag for home defense would this be good for hunting deer&hogs too.?
831749
Bound's hubby here:\n\nThere's alot of advice here. I will add my two cents. I think your .357 will be adequate provided you have the right ammunition. The shortest barrel I would go with would be a 6 inch barrel (my preferred home defense gun is a 6 inch K38 with Hydra-shocks... it's not too long because no intruder is going to get close enough to grab it!). A .357 has it's limitations... I would keep my maximum distance to the distance at which I can keep 6 shots on a 6 inch paper pie plate. \n\nYour ammuntion: if you limiit yourself to factory soft points and jacketed hollow points... get a .44 Magnum. Your hunting round should be of a semi-wadcutter design. The flat part of the semi-wadcutter is called a metplat... the larger the metplat, the more shock you induce which is good for dropping the animal. You want the shoulders to be as sharp as possible. Your .357 with this type of bullet should be more than adequate for deer to 40 or 50 yards, and perhaps, smaller black bear. \n\nWhile I own a couple of .357s, I bought a Smith .41 Magnum for hunting. The .41 has greater muzzle energy than the .357, with less recoil than the .44. When you compare a .41 and a .44 the difference in wound cavity size is 0.019 inches in diameter. In many respects, from this angle, the .41 is a better hunting round than the .44. Therefore, I would suggest you give the .41 serious consideration as a hunting round. I have also assembled a handload I call a ".41 Special" that I found in the RCBS cast bullet handloading booklet that shoots like a .38 Special. That big revolver with a nice big hole in it, can be real intimidating if you're looking at it from the wrong end. \n\nIf you plan on handgun hunting give serious consideration to casting your own bullets and handloading your hunting ammunition. \n\nI would suggest you look at either an L-framed S&W .357 or an N-framed S&W .357 or .41. The new Smith L and N frames are factory drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Because you stated home defense, in addition to hunting I have not recommended Ruger's single action Blackhawks... only because (by design) they can not be reloaded quickly like a swing out cylinder revolver. \n\nGood luck.
944609
Bound's hubby here:\n\nBetter is a "relative" term! Not only are you trying to compare two different action styles, you are comparing two different "classes" of cartridges. To answer which is better, you must identify the purpose/mission of the pistol. \n\nIf you are talking in terms of a self defense pistol, the M1911A1 has it all over your .44 Magnum. First, the M1911A1 was designed from day one as a defense pistol. The M1911A1 allows for rapidity of reloading ... the .45ACP holds 7 rounds to your .44s presumed 6. Since the .45 ejects automatically, and the .44 doesn't ... plus to the .45. Reload time for the M1911A1 is half the time of the .44. The M1911A1's .45ACP has less perceived recoil than the .44, recovery time for follow-up shots falls to the M1911A1 ... another plus. Engage more than 1 aggressor with the .44, you may not be able to recover after the first shot for a well-placed follow-up shot.\n\nNow, if you are talking hunting, the .44 has it all over the M1911A1. The .45 just does not have the power (energy) of the .44 to stop medium sized game. The .45 Hardball is not a good choice for game, and most game-appropriate bullets will not feed reliably in the M1911A1. In addition, the .44's revolver has a greater potential for accuracy at typical handgun hunting distance ... energy and field accuracy lead to two points for the .44.\n\nHowever, if you are talking target shooting, you have a draw, because you will not shoot magnum rounds for target! In NRA bulls-eye competition, the .44 could be fired (using .44 Specials) in the Centerfire matches only. The match-tuned .45 can be fired in both the Centerfire and .45 events, and if your .45 is match-tuned for hardball, you are also set for "Leg" matches ... hence the M1911A1 is up for 2 or 3 events to the .44's single event ... making the .45 better.\n\nOn pure statistics, the .44 is a hunting round, the .45ACP (depending on bullet choice) is a defensive round, a target round, or in some instances, a small-game round.\n\nAs Clint Eastwood's charachter "Dirty Harry" was fond of saying ... "A man has got to know his limitations" ... so is true for handguns and cartridges ... you must know their limitations!\n\nGood luck!
835106
Bound's hubby here:\n\nPersonally, I would avoid the new generation of Short Magnums, Super Short Magnums, and Ultra Magnums ... for two reasons ... first, the availability of ammo (especially near deer camps) and second, the designers intend these new rounds to replicate the performance of the original magnums in a shorter cartridge/action. \n\nI would strongly suggest a .30-06 Springfield or .270 WInchester for your hunt. With skill and practice, the .270 is sufficient gun for elk ... as long as the rifleman knows his limitations. The .30-06 should be the standard you go for. Any good rifle will do the job with the .30-06. Look for a Remington, Winchester, or Browning ... any of these rifles will be very reliable and affordable. Do not get cheap on a rifle and/or scope if this rifle will be either for a hunt of a life-time, or depended upon to put meat on the table for years to come!\n\nGood luck!
871757
Bound's hubby here: \n\nFirst, remember the PA law that requires the use of manually operated firearms... no semi-autos. This leaves you with two styles of handgun, revolvers and single shot pistols. Keep in mind your typical shot will be at about 40-50 yards, you will need to be able to hit a 6 inch target consistently at your maximum distance. \n\nIn revolver .357 Mag is the absolute minumum to use. A .41 or .44 Mag or a .45 Long Colt would be better. \n\nIn single shot pistols (the Thompson Center Contender) any rifle cartridge barrel could do, but I would suggest the .30-30 barrel. You will get close to the same performance as a .30-30 rifle in a handgun. \n\nGood luck.
763054
In arizona we have all that game. I hunt javelina with a .357 magnum just fine. But for the other game I would suggest a .41 or .44 magnum. I like the .454 casull and it is a great gun, but it is really powerful and you could develop a flinch. A better bet for recoil is the .480 ruger. It is a good cartridge with good ballistics and less recoil than the .44 magnum but flatter than the .44 magnum. I don't know about .41 magnum being hard to find, I think taurus makes a few in their tracker models with ported barrels, and smith and wesson should have a model in that caliber. \nI would suggest either the .41, .44 or .480 ruger. Anything less would not be safe for deer and mountain lion or antelope at a reasonable hunting range. A .454 might be too big and uncomfortable to carry but would probably give you the longest reach. \nThe other thing is I would look at barrel lengths of 6 inches or higher. Depending on where you hunt, hunting antelope with a pistol is hard. Most people I know use a thompson center contender in rifle caliber or similar non-traditional pistol design. \nI wouldn't worry about the mountain lion, they can be taken with a .357 magnum, and have been. A .41 magnum would do fine on them too. \nThe problem with mounting a scope is the eye relief is hard to get used to, and it adds weight. I use iron sights for javelina and deer and mountain lion. I have used a scoped .44 magnum ruger for javelina and found it was a little too easy and just didn't prefer a scoped handgun. I would recommend one though if you are going for antelope, deer, or mountain lion, with only a pistol, as they are generally at longer ranges, especially in arizona. \nI usually use a rifle for mountain lion, as they are hard to spot and you need dogs really to hunt them. I don't use dogs, but spot them during the deer season and such. It is an over the counter tag. But, a pistol in the calibers above would be good protection for a mountain lion attack or protection. \nSo, depending on your hunting ranges and for a good all around caliber for the game above. I recommend at least a .41 magnum with a .480 ruger or .44 magnum preferred for the deer and antelope factor. The .454 casull is the most powerful and fulfills all but is heavy, kicks a lot, and is really loud! A .44 mag is worse than a rifle in respect to noise. The blast is alot closer to you. That is how my hearing is bad, I have a permanent ring in my left ear (tinnitus) from the .44mag ruger, the blast off the ground is loud!! That was what did it, but the years of neglect added up. Back in my day, no thought was really paid to ear protection, and now when javelina hunting or bird hunting, and during practice I always wear ear protection.\nAnother tip is always practice, shooting a couple times and then going hunting is not good. Furthermore I fully recommend the .454 casull but if you can't shoot it without flinching then it is not a good gun. With the big calibers and pistol hunting in general you will need alot more practice. You need good form and you need to get use to the drop in pistol calibers. It is a totally different ball game than the flat shooting magnums. So practice and practice, and shoot at different ranges. Here in Arizona antelope tags come around rarely and pistols require more practice.
916955
I've had the Taurus pt111 millenium for several years... mine is chambered in 9mm... personnally, I love it...I've put many rounds through it.  I've used everythingfrom traditional fmj to +p+ hollow points and never a feed problem.  since it is made with a stainless receiver, the higher presures from +p ammunition is not a problem... and is what I keep in it when I carry it. the trigger is a little heavy, but not like a city police service weapon.   it is my choice for concealed carry...  for defense purposes, the .40 is a much better caliber... it has the stopping power of a .45 but gives you the lighter recoil like a 9mm... also the higher magazine capacity like a 9mm.  for the money, it is an excellent choice.
330067
There are no cheap-good firearms. For a reasonably priced, good quality rifle, look into a Savage Arms model 100 in \neither a 30-06, or .308 caliber. \n  I'll bet that every one of those people answering with some smart-Alec comment about you don't need to hunt or own a gun, eats meat. I wonder if they have any idea where it comes from?
1144019
I think you should have several. A Mossburg 590 12 guage is good. You should have a simi auto hand gun, and either an AR 15 or a AK-47.
970884
I second the Rem 710 for you. Can't go wrong and you can always trade it up in the future if you want, knowing you can get 80% or more of what you invested.  \n\nIt's a great beginner package, good quality and easy to operate and clean. \n\nStart with a bolt action gun. It will shoot better than you....meaning you can practice a lot from a bench rest and work on your shooting skills without dealing with the complexities of a semi-auto. \n\n30.06 is a good calibre. Easy to find and cheap practice ammo and it will serve to hunt just about anything you want in North America. Don't be seduced by any of the Magnum calibres. They are often more than is needed and can be expensive to practice with. They are in my book just "macho toys" for big boys.
173496
Mini 14 is a good all around rifle and it being a .223 caliber, ammo won't be super expensive. The AKM, a variant of the AK47 is also a good shooter with cheap, powerful ammo. (both weapons are military caliber) 22. rifles such as the 10/22 are fun plinkers and dirt cheap to shoot. It just depends on how big of a boom you want at the range. A .357 is a dependable weapon and as the gentleman above mentioned you can shoot .38 rounds with no modification. Another route you can take is to buy a handgun such as a 1911 style .45 and get the .22 conversion kit with it so that you can shoot .22 at tin cans and still have a .45 for home protection etc. etc.
748598
I got my grandson a New England in 7mm 08 and he loves it.\nHe kill his first deer last year, a doe. A very good shooting gun.
170711
It will not do any harm to shoot soft shot out of your rifled barrel.  I wouldn't put any steel or other hardend shot through the barrel though.  You will find that your patterns and range will probably not be nearly as good compaired to a smooth bore barrel.  Trying differnt brands and loads might help you get the best bird load for this deer gun. Shot cups and wads vary between manufacturers and the right one for your gun can make all the differance.
976956
I think you should try it out.  Let me just throw some basics out there.  First you will need a legal weopan.  If a rifle in your state is legal, then I would suggest that.  Basically hunter's use bows, crossbows, rifles, handguns, muzzleloaders and shotguns to hunt.  In my opinion, a bolt action rifle is about the easiest to hunt and be safe with.  I know that weeds alot of other good weopans out quick, but a bolt action rifle will do the job.  Reccomendation:  Savage 10FCM Sierra, Model 16FCSS, or maybe Model 14 American Classic  in 308. There are many other Savage models and other makers which make fine guns, but this is a quick preferance.  They are both Savage models in 308win with a black plastic stock and a detachable magazine.  When possible, I prefer a detachable magazine for hunting so I can carry an extra in my vest for a quick reload.  While this is important, other things have always made me end up with a rifle without one.\n\nNext, scope. . .Get a Leupold, but other cheaper options exist.  I don't own Lepold myself, but most swear by them.  I have 2 scopes:  1 Simmons because my gunsmith thought that no other brand held up as well on my pistol and 1 Burris XTR 3 - 12 because no other maker offered as good of glass and specs for the price.    For a first attempt at hunting, you will only shoot with a single zero.  For that, I would look at a 1" scope with about a 40mm objective and 4x or 6x fixed magnification.  My reccomendation: Leupold 6x42 FX-III Riflescope with German #4 reticle or the much cheaper Weaver 6x38 Classic K6 Series Rifle Scope also has a good name.  My dad has a Weaver K series from the 50's, but they were probably American made then.  Not sure now.\n\nExtras. . .Get good binoculars.  You can spend >$2500 on these, but $150 - $400 will get you a good set of porro prism binos.  Roof type will cost an additional $200.  Stay away from anything in a blisterpack.\n\nRangefinder.  Not sure if this is something wanted or not, but a $200 rangefinder can be a huge help to someone trying to figure out how far away a deer is.  Imagining football fields is hard at best.  BTW. . .Usually, you range next to the animal, not the animal.\n\nClothing.  For starters jeans and warm clothing will do with an orange top to keep you legal.  After that, local conditions and how close you want to get will be your guide.  A note on scent control.  If you have the wind at your back, nothing works for scent control.  With the wind at your face anything is good enough for scent control.  With no wind and swirling wind, scent control can help.  Beware of that $500 scent free super camo.  Camo is similar.  If you are silloueted, nothing will camo you.  If you are buried in shadows, no camo is needed.  Most other times camo can help a non-moving hunter quite a bit, if downwind.\n\nStands.  A good camo netting over bushes will be enough cover for a blind if you will sit and hunt.  Tree stands allow you to see more.  Walking slow will allow you to see more in big country like out west.  No need at first.\n\nA good hunting partner.  Invaluable.  A good hunting partner is great for exchanging ideas, helping you see more game and finding quality places to hunt.\n\nGPS.  These are relatively new, but a good one will keep you from loosing the truck.  and allow you to go where you want to hunt, instead of wandering around in circles which can happen.\n\nKeep practicing shooting and give hunting a try.
344855
I want something that has KICK!!  I love it when a revolver feels like it is going to jump out of your hand!  Try a 12 Gauge shotgun with 00 Buckshot or 3'' Magnum Turkey loads if you want more KICK!  Or how about a .300 Weatherbee Magnum without a muzzle-break?  If you want sustained kick, join the military and shoot an fully-auto!  (Or get a friend that is the armorer and see if he will let you shoot one! -It's been done before, but don't tell anyone I told you!)\n\nThough I sometime like the methodical, precision behind a smaller caliber rifle, like a .22 or a semi-auto SKS with 30 rounds clip.  Just lay down and pick of targets (inanimate ones) real simple like and hardly move.\n\nCool Question! Later.
813798
You can target shoot in your woods if you have the permission of the owner. Don't shoot in populated areas, and make sure there is some sort of backstop behind your target, like trees or a hill. .22 or .177 is personal preference. Crossman makes good air rifles.
1053961
The recoil will be similar to the .40 The weight of the gun makes the biggest difference.\nIf the .357 sig is lighter than the 40 you will feel a little more recoil. If it is the same gun you might not notice.\nI prefer the SIG 229 or SIG PRO if you want a compact auto.\nI had a few Glocks but the SIG has a better "FEEL" to me.\nMost  can be switched from .40 to .357SIG all that is needed is a different barrel. Action and magazine are the same. The .40 is a little cheaper to shoot.
919436
The best rifle?  Probably not, but it is an excellent choice.  I have a Ruger #1 in .458 Winchester Mag.  I love it.  Is it better than my Steyr Mannlicher Pro Hunter?  My Remington 700 .25-06?  Well, the .458 is a better hog gun than the .25-06, but not a better deer gun.  And the Steyr (in .30-06 Springfield) is a better all around rifle.  \n\nSo you see, it is a matter of matching your gun to the game.\n\nHappy hunting!\n\nH