Author Topic: Pick a Caliber (Read 2300 times)

Matt3357 · « **on:** March 23, 2009, 02:54:01 AM »

Goodmorning Everyone,

My dad and I have been seriously talking about getting a large bore pistol. We have a nice S&W 22 revolver that we shoot all the time but we want something a bit bigger to plink with and as a possible self defense weapon for in the house. So hear lies the conundrum. What caliber to get. I was thinking .357 so we could shoot .38 specials for plinking yet have the power of a .357 too. My dad was thinking 9mm, more for plinking than home defense I know. Then we saw an awful lot of guns offered in .40 s&w and we didn't know much about it. He doesn't want something that is going to make his hand sting but he wants something bigger than a 22 and defense capable. Oh and I reload so keep that in mind for caliber choice.

Thanks,
Matt

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:00:57 AM »

I don't think you can go wrong with a .357,as you said you can use .38's. You didn't say anything about cost is that a factor?

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:04:51 AM »

I believe the .357 would be ideal for your purposes. There is nothing wrong with a 9mm or .40 S&W but if you like hitting what you aim at when plinking you'll find it easier to do witht he revolver than most semiautos. You'll also go thru a lot less ammo with a revolver.

John R. · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:47:02 AM »

+1 on the 357 Magnum.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:29:27 AM »

a nice match to your S&W 22 only seems wise .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:35:12 AM »

+1 for the 357.
Because you already know the function of the S&W revolver I would look for a S&W in 357 with a 4" barrel.
Don't pee on the 9mm. It works! Ammo is cheap ( on par with fmj 38 spl, and $2-3 a box chepar than 40 and $5-10 cheaper than 45), there are many defense designs, and you can hold more than the 6 or 7 in a revolver.
A good full size 9 will do what you want as well as the revolver.
The two upsides to the revolver are.
1 you have the ability to go heavier and powerful for hunting or camping
2 you already know the revolver and do not have to worry about learning to shoot an auto and dealing with the slide.
My house gun is a S&W 4" 357 mag for anything that goes bumb in the night.

blhof · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:19:58 AM »

+3 on the 357. I owned one for over 20 years and loved the versatility and you can find brass at most any range or even buy once fired for less than the shipping charges.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 12:57:14 PM »

Yup .357 good choice.

Skunk · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:08:51 PM »

Can't go wrong with the .357 Mag. It's also an excellent cartridge to use for learning how to reload.

Matt3357 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:38:25 PM »

Thanks everybody for the quick replies. I think I have chosen the gun I want but I would like to hear what you all have to say. I think I want a S&W model 686 with a 6" barrel. With the right loads, what do you think of this gun as a whitetail gun and a plinker? I like the idea of being able to shoot 38 with it to practice but 357 to hunt.

Matt

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:52:48 PM »

You will also have more diverse loads readilly available for the .357/.38 as compared to the .40. 9mm is light if you're hunting with it.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2009, 02:56:05 PM »

Quote from: Matt3357 on March 23, 2009, 01:38:25 PM

Thanks everybody for the quick replies. I think I have chosen the gun I want but I would like to hear what you all have to say. I think I want a S&W model 686 with a 6" barrel. With the right loads, what do you think of this gun as a whitetail gun and a plinker? I like the idea of being able to shoot 38 with it to practice but 357 to hunt.

Matt

Yes, Yes and Yes. I personally like Rugers and love my 6" GP 100 It has taken several deer including a nice 8 point buck and will just about put'em in the same hole with .38 wadcutters. I would never turn down a Smith thou.

Brett · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:29:49 PM »

Still unanimous... +1 .357/.38

45-70.gov · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:26:44 PM »

Quote from: Matt3357 on March 23, 2009, 01:38:25 PM

Thanks everybody for the quick replies. I think I have chosen the gun I want but I would like to hear what you all have to say. I think I want a S&W model 686 with a 6" barrel. With the right loads, what do you think of this gun as a whitetail gun and a plinker? I like the idea of being able to shoot 38 with it to practice but 357 to hunt.

Matt

i don't think they make a better 357 do they?

i wish mine had 6 instead of 4

is it a 7 shooter or 6 ? [nothing wrong with 6]

you will never regret that purchase

now get a 180 grain WFN mould from LBT and your set

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:24:28 AM »

if ya'll do ya'll's part the gun will do its part on deer . learn your limits and stick to them . learn the bullets you are using limits and don't exceed them and it will work.

Tom C. · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:17:45 AM »

Quote from: Matt3357 on March 23, 2009, 01:38:25 PM

Thanks everybody for the quick replies. I think I have chosen the gun I want but I would like to hear what you all have to say. I think I want a S&W model 686 with a 6" barrel. With the right loads, what do you think of this gun as a whitetail gun and a plinker? I like the idea of being able to shoot 38 with it to practice but 357 to hunt.

Matt

A 6" .357 like the 686 or GP100 is good if you plan to hunt. IMO, a 4" make more sense to me for more general work, not including deer.

tn_junk · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:27:21 AM »

I have owned both a GP100 and a 686, and prefer the Ruger, but just
because it fit my hand a little better. Either one, in .357, would be a
great gun.

alan

Matt3357 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:23:45 PM »

Ok so I've set my sights on a S&W 686 in 357 with a 6" barrel. Prolly a mid summer purchase, after a couple of jobs I have lined up. Well since that is all decided unless I handle one and just absolutely hate it(which I don't see happening), Lets talk about reloading. I have read a couple of things on powder choice and bullet choice but I would like a couple of opinions from you guys. The only limitations I really have is that I don't have the money or space to cast right now. So stick to purchasable bullets please. I would like a 357 Mag bullet for deer sized game and some .38 wadcutters for plinking. Also, what is a powder that will work well for both applications. And lastly, is there anything inherently different about reloading pistol rounds versus rifle rounds, besides the third die and carbide dies and that the brass lasts a lot longer?

Thanks guys,
Matt

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2009, 01:42:52 AM »

The 357 Mag is a great choice, you can still use cast bullets, go to Montana Bullet Works. http://www.montanabulletworks.com/wst_page6.html

Get a good reloading manual, or you can get data here. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Powders I use are H 110, Lil-gun, you can also use H 4227 or titegroup

coyotejoe · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:43:59 AM »

For .38 wadcutters both Speer and Hornady are pretty cheap if you go to a bulk pack of 500. If you want just one other bullet it should probably be the 158 JHP. Remington and Winchester bullets are the least expensive, again in bulk. Just one powder won't do well for both .38 plinkers and full power 357s but Unique would do well for .38s and mid-range 357s. You'll need a slow burning powder for top velocities in the .357, something like H-110, but you could hold off on that for a while and just work with the .38 and Unique loads in .357, they won't hit top speeds but will still give you quite a step up from the .22 and .38.

togojeff · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:44:30 AM »

If I were you I'd get a 4th die for crimping. For the lighter loads in .38 for plinking you don't have to crimp, but for the higher powered .357 hunting and self defense loads, crimping is a must. I like to use Bullseye for my plinking .38 rounds and W296 for the high powered .357 rounds.

Mohawk · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2009, 10:33:31 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 24, 2009, 04:24:28 AM

if ya'll do ya'll's part the gun will do its part on deer . learn your limits and stick to them . learn the bullets you are using limits and don't exceed them and it will work.

+1 on what SHOOTALL said. Hunt with the .357 as if you were hunting with a bow and you will do fine with whitetails.

Matt3357 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2009, 12:07:31 PM »

Pretty used to keeping the range short. I live in illinois and I am limited to shotgun, pistol, muzzelloader, or bow. I only shotgun as time is something I don't have a lot of. Any more favorite Powders and bullets for .38 and .357

williamlayton · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2009, 01:30:35 PM »

9x23 in a 1911 format gives the same .357 results with more capacity.
Blessings

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2009, 05:34:24 PM »

Another vote for the .357 mag

.....Rick

WolfTrap · « **Reply #25 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:23:46 AM »

Quote from: Matt3357 on March 23, 2009, 02:54:01 AM

Goodmorning Everyone,

My dad and I have been seriously talking about getting a large bore pistol.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt....what is your legal age?
WT

scootrd · « **Reply #26 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:42:33 AM »

My nightstand firearm for go to defense is my 357 Ruger Security-Six 2.75" barrel , Pachmayer "Gripper" grips
Great little package with smooth action and has nice proportional weight while providing a lot of punch.

You can pick them up fairly inexpensively and for plinking you could purchase one with a bit longer barrel 4" or 6".
For hunting a 6-8 inch barrel .

Matt3357 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 26, 2009, 06:43:05 AM »

WolfTrap,

I'm 22. Just still in college and my guns are still at home, well most of them anyway.

I have decided to start looking for a Model 686 in 6" used pre-lock. Can't really afford a new one right now but maybe with my tax return something will happen, if not then this summer when I can work 40 hour weeks. In illinois you can carry a pistol and a shotgun at the same time so if I'm up walking I can sling my Ultra slugger over my back and carry the pistol. Not looking to get a scope right away but like the option to do so if I see fit. What I am really looking for now is personal bullet choice and powder choice for .38 wadcutters and 357 hunting/selfdefense loads. Just doing some research for now.

thanks,
Matt

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #28 on:** March 26, 2009, 08:27:27 AM »

For hunting I use the Federal/ American Eagle 158 grain Jacket soft points in 357 Mag.
For plinking I use the 100 pack of 130 grain FMJ bulk pack for steel and IDPA shoots.
I sight the gun in for the hunting loads and just shoot the Spl.s works out OK for me.

GH1 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 26, 2009, 11:48:40 PM »

All the positive comments on the .357 are reassuring, since I just bought one a few months back. Mine's a Taurus Model 65, 4" in blue. I may have an opportunity to go hog hunting in the future, will this gun work for that?
Thanks.
GH1