Southern Shooter
New member
I have a .357 Ruger Speed-six with a 2.75" barrel. It is my woods gun for protection. I live in the central portion of Louisiana so the most likely critters that I might have issues with are wild hogs, aligators, coyotes and ferrel dogs. I have been carrying 158 grain American Eagle flat-nose soft points. I was recently given a box of Federal Vital-shok 180 grain Castcore rounds. The velocity on these rounds is 1060 fps at the muzzle with 449 foot pounds of energy from a 4" test barrel. http://www.federalcartridge.com/ball...&bulletwgt=180
I am guessing that with my short-barreled .357 that muzzle velocity drops to somewhere around 975 fps...I have no clue what the foot pounds of energy would be.
Question: Am I wasting these particular rounds in this short-barreled revolver for the purpose woods protection? Would I be better off sticking with something else to fulfill this role? How large a creature would this combination of Federal Vital-shok 180 grain Castcore and 2.75" barreled .357 put down out to 20 yards? Any input would be appreciated.
I am guessing that with my short-barreled .357 that muzzle velocity drops to somewhere around 975 fps...I have no clue what the foot pounds of energy would be.
Question: Am I wasting these particular rounds in this short-barreled revolver for the purpose woods protection? Would I be better off sticking with something else to fulfill this role? How large a creature would this combination of Federal Vital-shok 180 grain Castcore and 2.75" barreled .357 put down out to 20 yards? Any input would be appreciated.