.357 Sig for hunting

[prairiedog555]

I was looking over some ballistic tables and noticed that the .357 Sig cartridge with 125gr was pretty potent.  Close to a .357 Rem. in energy, and much more than .44 specia, .45 Colt or 44.40. which I know has accounted for lots of deer.
I know those tables can be misleading.  Just wondered if anyone had practical experience or an opinion on using it for deer.   I was thinking of getting a .357 Sig in a Glock or a Sig.

thanks.

[pastorp]

Prarriedog, several law enforcement reports that I have read give it a good report on nusiance animals both wild and domestic, also on animals involved in auto accidents that must be put down. Some of these reports have included animals up to black bears, and elk. I don't know of any LEagencies in Alaska that are using to test on nusiance brown bears.

As a hunting round of choice I believe you can do much better. The 357mag in a revolver will handle a heavier bullet and I believe thats where the hunter should start. 357mag, 158gr as a minimun. Bigger is better as the game gets heavier.  Regards, Byron

PS: if your set on a semi-auto then get a 10mm.

[Mikey]

The 357 Sig is a great cartridge that with the 125 gn bullet approximates the 357 magnum with the same weight bullet from a 4" police revolver. 

That will take a whitetail - if the bullet being used isn't all that frangible.  You will need penetration with that bullet and if it comes apart too early you may lose the deer.  I believe you can find round-nose soft points that might work better or maybe there is something available that is a bit tougher.  Whitetail aren't hard targets but they have thick skins which can foil a hollowpoint into either opening up too quickly or filling up and acting like a round nose.

I would prefer a heavier, cast slug but don't know if the Sig will handle one and still give you what you need to take a whitetail.  If you were to use a bullet constructed for heavier use, say a 125 gn slug in 38/357

I wonder if someone like Bar-Sto Barrels might not offer a 357 Sig barrel with a 357 diameter bore to allow you to use 38/357 bullets rather than the 9mm.  Bar-Sto offered that in 38 Super some years ago due to the lack of suitable 9mm bullets for hunting and may offer that option for the Sig.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Redhawk1]

prairiedog555, I have a Sig in .357 Sig. I would never consider it for hunting. Will it kill a deer at short range it hit in the right place, yes. Is it a gun that should be used for hunting, no, not in my opinion. Like pastorp said, there are better choices.

The bullet design for the 357 Sig are not bullets meant for hunting. The are fast expanding bullets meant for defense agent man.

Get your self a Revolver in 41 Mag or bidder for hunting or if you are set on a semi-auto get a 10 MM.

[myronman3]

if you are set on an auto,  10mm all the way; forget the sig.

[ccoker]

I agree..
it will work at relatively close ranges if all goes well
but, not a first choice

if you really want to try it check with doubletap ammo and see what he's offering, I have looked before but don't recall of the top of my head

speaking of 10mm, I really wish someone made a 6" 1911 longslide in 10mm
that would be sweet pistol

[pastorp]

CC, Dan Wesson advertized a long slide 10mm a while back. The global hunter they called it. Don't know if any ever hit the market. This was before they were bought out by sig, I believe it was.

Actually a 5" 1911 in 10mm makes a very good defense or hunting gun within the limits of the cartridge. I know "uncle Ted" killed a buff with one,to me thats beyond the limits of this round.

I did carry a 10mm kimber on one raft trip in brown bear country, but thats pushing it too.  Regards, Byron

[jro45]

I have a Sig 357 also and would not us it for deer hunting. I would rather have a 357 Mag shooting 180 gr bullets then to hunt with the Sig 357.

[Lloyd Smale]

i watched him kill that buff on tv and it was a pretty sad ordeal!!

CC, Dan Wesson advertized a long slide 10mm a while back. The global hunter they called it. Don't know if any ever hit the market. This was before they were bought out by sig, I believe it was.

Actually a 5" 1911 in 10mm makes a very good defense or hunting gun within the limits of the cartridge. I know "uncle Ted" killed a buff with one,to me thats beyond the limits of this round.

I did carry a 10mm kimber on one raft trip in brown bear country, but thats pushing it too.  Regards, Byron

[WL44]

AMT made a long slide 10mm too if I recall and I recall seeing either an STI in the late 90's called the "Hunter Model" which was a 6" 1911 style 10mm. Take a look at the link: http://www.stiguns.com/USPress/hgun_guide2k/edge_may98.html

[ccoker]

STI is close to me, I called them a few months ago.. no longer made

on glocktalk some guys have made 6" long slide 10 mm glocks, ends up running about a grand