Mountain Lion protection, factory load in S&W model 386

[brokenvega]

Going camping in cougar country.  Just bought a new S&W 386 (scandium alloy frame, titanium cylinder).  Factory personnel advise this revolver is function tested with 158 grain Federal Hydra-Shok.  They do not (in writing at least) reccomend heavier bullets with bigger charges in this revolver, although a S&W Customer Svc. rep claimed over the phone that hotter loads would be safe.  Any suggestions for factory cartriges that will be safe in the 386 and would be effective against an irate 150 pound cat?  Would especially appreciate answers from anyone with personal experience with the 386.

[Zachary]

I don't have personal experience with that particular gun, but I do with the cartridge.  Even though the cat can be up to 150 pounds, the 158 hydro-shocks are not a bad choice.

Zachary

[Del]

I would choose the Winchester 180 grn Partition JHP load, for cougar, black bear, whitetail load.  I chronographed these out of a 3" brl. J-frame just shy of 1200 fps.  The JHP would open and transfer energy, then the Partition would hold the rest of it together to keep penetrating and make 2 holes!

I would definately go shoot these on paper to see where they hit, even at close range they may hit a lot higher then you'd think.  I thought these would recoil a lot in the 3" J-frame, but surprisingly they were easier to shoot then the Federal 125 grn JHP loads!  It's probably a load to shoot sparingly and carry a lot!

Carry a good load, make your shots count, and keep firing until the cougar stops moving!!  :wink:

Del

[brokenvega]

Hey, thanx Del! I'll give that load a try...on paper targets first.

[Zachary]

I would choose the Winchester 180 grn Partition JHP load

I didn't realize that Winchester had this particular factory load.  I think that 180 grains is a little on the heavy side for the .357, but I prefer the partition design over the hydro-shock design.  Again, since you are talking about couger protection, you will not be taking long shots, and the partition design will indeed hold up, especially if you your bullet strikes heavy bone.

Zachary

[brokenvega]

Hey, cknight98:  Sorry this reply took so long in coming.  I've shot a number of cylinders full of Cor bon 110 and 125 grain +P.  No more recoil than my Colt Combat Commander .45 cycling 185 gr Hydra Shoks.  The 386 is a real hoot to shoot. Now, I haven't tried magnum loads yet.  In anticipation of popping off magnum rounds, I removed the factory grips and applied the larger Hogue grips that come with the 686.  I think the extra surface area will offset any concealability issues.  I'll keep you posted.

[Chuck from arkansaw]

I would choose 110-125 gr. JHP's.  Mountain lions are not big and not tough.  The light fast bullets would break one down fast.

[Old Griz]

I have never met one personally (yet) though I have heard what Chuck stated, that mountain lions are not the toughest critters on the block. I have read of them being taken down with .38s though I would like to have something with a bit more power than that! My backwoods gun is a 4" Anaconda if I'm not hunting, and a Ruger Bisley (also in .44 mag.) when I am. However, your .357 should easily be enough gun, and I agree with carrying the big 180-gr. Partition or 180-gr. Federal CastCore bullets in it. It's not like you are going to shoot these rounds in it all the time—maybe never. So you're not going to ruin your gun. But if a big cat gets the wrong idea about you, they'd be nice to have.

[Old Griz]

By the way: A guy was mountain biking at White Ranch recreational area outside of Golden, Colorado this Summer when he stumbled across an angry mountain lion. Angry because the biker had just scared off the deer the lion had been stalking. When the mountain lion came at the biker all he had was his water bottle to throw at the cat. He got lucky. He picked up his bike and held it over his head to make himself look bigger, screamed and yelled and finally the big cat got tired of him and left. Naturally, no one in liberal land (around Boulder) would ever dream of going armed into the wilderness.

Like Dan Mich Trapper says, “If an animal activist is being mauled by a bear should we stop it , or , ‘let nature take its course?’ "

Sometimes I'm temped to root for the bear (or cat).

[Blackhawk44]

As said before, cats aren't that big or tough.  Talking to government trappers and seeing a few myself, a great many males will only average 70-80 pounds and the largest I ever saw (a real giant) would make about 120-130 pounds.  Any good 125-140gr anti-personnel round would do.  Even something like one or two MagSafes might not hurt.  If you should have an engagement, it would be at close range.  The heavier rounds for penetration could zip on through with little effect.  If you move about as most city trained people do, rather than a hunter, you would make enough noise to keep most varmints alert and scared out of your way.

[Graybeard]

Do you think this one will top out at 130 pounds or less?



You can see JJ Hack's full story on it on the Bear Hunting Forum under the topic of "No forum for lion hunting so I'll let'er rip on this one"

GB

[Blackhawk44]

Not fair.  You see, it's kind of dry and sparse in my country and not that many of us pen-raise them to fatten them up.  All kidding aside, I'm sure that that kitty is going to wake them up over at B&C.  He is truly one in a million.