Capability of a .357 mag

[SuperstitionCoues]

Is a .357 Magnum enough gun for a mountain lion?  I am not intending on hunting them actively...my study area for my dissertation on mule deer has an active lioin population in it, and I really don't want to end up as cat chow. 

I have a S&W 357 Mag, but I am wondering if that is enough gun?  I am moving slower these days than 20 years ago when I got the ..357.

Any and all opinions are welcome!

[Troggy]

I never shot a mountain lion so I may be outta line answering this but the few lion stories I have read, most have been with a .357mag.  Here is a link to a mountain lion site and at the bottom it mentions the use of a .357mag. Hope this helps. If I had a .357 and I soon will I would bring it.


http://icwdm.org/wildlife/mountainlion.asp

[PaulS]

The 357 magnum is enough gun for most animals to about 250 - 300 pounds within its hunting range of 50 - 75 yards.
Even in "lion country" I doubt that you will see one unless you are actively looking. I have only accidentally run across one mountain lion when I wasn't hunting them. He was about three years old and in his prime and across the river from me. He felt pretty safe because he stood there drinking and walking up and down the shore for about one and a half minutes before walking up the ridge and disappearing into the brush. I swas in the area for three days after that and never saw him again. The 357 magnum with high end accurate loads will easily take a cougar. Take a litle time to study their anatomy so you know where to place that shot.