.357 ammo and holster for the woods?

D

DMK

New member
The outdoor range I shoot at is way out in thick woods, a good 1/2 hour drive from the nearest house. A few guys I've talked to have mentioned seeing some larger carnivores either at the range or along the fire road traveling to/from it. The largest animals in the area are black bears, mountain lions, boars/feral pigs and coyotes. I've never seen any of these in the immediate range area myself, but have seen all except the boars/pigs within 25 miles or so of the area. It's possible this is the same range lore getting recycled bigger and badder each time it's told or maybe these sighting are becoming more common as humans press further into animal territory and they have less fear of people than they used to.

I always carried a 1911 govt. sidearm in the past, usually loaded with FMJ and a couple extra mags. My main concern was mainly bipedal preditors. It would probably be prudent to start bringing one of my Mosin-Nagant 91/59 carbines loaded with soft points, but I may not be within arms length of it at all times. I think I'd feel a lot more comforted carrying something with some decent penetrating power right on my hip.

I don't have the money to buy another new gun for at least another six months(though eventually, I'd like to get a 45ACP/45Colt Backhawk). So, out of my existing battery, I think my 6" barreled .357 N-frame is probably the better choice over one of the 45ACP guns.

Now, what ammo to load the .357 with? 158 gr. soft point? 180gr. soft point? Hollowpoints?

I also need a decent holster to carry this thing. Most of the N-frame holsters I see are for 4" barreled guns. Any suggestions on a good and comfortable leather hip hoster for a 6" N-frame?
 
Buffalo bore makes some new potent hunting loads but I've never tried them.
My woods round is Winchester partition gold 180 gr nosler partition. With the separate core and hollow point I know it won't over-expand.
Another load that is even hotter and very accurate is Corbons' 180 jsp. Very accurate in my 1:14 Python, not sure how the heavies will spin in a Smith.
One outdoor holster I've always wanted is Kramers flap holster.
 
I've lived in the downeast part of NC, on a sand road across from a large hunting preserve. I've seen black bear on the road, which is not a problem. Every time I stopped the car, they would turn and bolt back into the woods. Twice, I had nightime visits, probably by a fairly young one, that were a bit spooky, but resulted in nothing more than bearstink in the back yard, until the ground fog lifted, some slightly rattled nerves on my part, and two Dobermans who lost a nights sleep. I loaded the 870 with slugs, and called it a night, after the dogs quit poking me with their noses to wake me up so they could go out and "patrol". I carried 158 gr. Hydra Shoks in a 5" S&W 27, and felt no qualms about anything I might meet in the area after sunup. For that situation, I carried the 5" in a Bianchi X15 made for a 6", with a leather block in the holster to make up for the 1" difference. Never wore that one in a hip holster.
 
I think given your circumstances that 6" N frame is about ideal as far as a handgun is concerned. I would second Woodsmoke's suggestion of the Win 180 Nosler Partitions after testing them in your revolver to see that they will hold a tight enough pattern. Another load you might try is the Speer 158 grain Gold Dot.

Remington, in addition to a 158 grain hollopoint, 158 gr softpoint and a 180 SJHP, show a 165 gr Core-Lokt too.

http://www.remington.com/ammo/ballistics/pr/results.asp?cal=5

That far out in the woods, using motor transport, I would make a habit of bringing that Moisin-Nagant carbine too. Even if it is not within arms reach at all times. A handgun is worn to get you within arms reach of your rifle.
 
Federal 180gr Castcore.

These will maximize penetration. They'll blow right through bone, which is important. Given the wide range of prospective targets, IMHO penetration is crucial. Personally, I wouldn't consider hollowpoints.

stellarpod
 
I would make a habit of bringing that Moisin-Nagant carbine too. Even if it is not within arms reach at all times. A handgun is worn to get you within arms reach of your rifle.
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I agree 100%.

Hmm, I'm surprised at the recommendation for 158gr. HPs. I would have only considered those effective for two legged attackers. I was thinking more along the lines of what stellarpod and Hammerhead recommended. Do you guys think 180gr SPs would not expand and overpenetrate or is it just that there are accuracy issues with this ammo?
 
After seeing a cross section of the 180 gr. nosler, I'm very confident it won't overexpand. Corbons load is a bonded core that will expand but not disintigrate. The federal castcore would give the most penetration I'm sure.
I've had 5 very close encounters with black bears in the boundry waters of Canada/Minnesota. Never felt the need to shoot. My first encounter the bear actually stepped on the end of my sleeping bag when I was sleeping under the stars. His breathing woke me up. It's amazing how loud your heartbeat can be.
 
My first encounter the bear actually stepped on the end of my sleeping bag when I was sleeping under the stars. His breathing woke me up. It's amazing how loud your heartbeat can be.
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:eek: So what happened!? Did he just wander away? If that happened to me, I don't think the sleeping bag would be fit for use anymore. Glad you made it out of that in one piece.
 
I second Kramer's. It'll make ya feel like Indiana Jones.
kramer flap holster

But almost all manufacturers have something classic like Bianchi's 5BHL or Cyclone that will fit your N-frame and look nice.
Bianchi belt holsters

Personally, for smallish :) predators like you're dealing with, I wouldn't feel bad with a 200 gr. SWC in my 1911.
 
So what happened!? Did he just wander away? If that happened to me, I don't think the sleeping bag would be fit for use anymore. Glad you made it out of that in one piece.
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He climbed up the tree and with one swat cut the rope that held my backpack. We all started yelling and screaming at him. He came down the tree so fast we all tuned and ran and jumped in the canoes. The next day we found my tattered back pack and bear spoor with eveidence of my carefully prepared food, plastic, cup-a-soup packets , etc...
They are truley amazing creatures.
In the BWCA (National Park) no guns are allowed. I would not have shot anyway.
What does a bear eat? Anything he wants.
 
DMK,

As long as it is black bears only - no grizzlies - I wouldn't feel vulnerable carrying 158 grain Gold Dots. And the Remington 165 grain Core-Lokt ought to hold together ok too. However, if the 180 'Partitions grouped well with my revolver I would go with them. And IMO the other suggestion of Federal 180 grain Castcores is sound as well. They should penetrate like blazes and out in the woods that should not be a concern.

But there is no point in insisting on one load without testing them in your gun for acceptable accuracy; a .357 in a six inch tube has pretty good reach for a handgun. May as well get the best out of it. I would not use anything lighter than 158 grains, drawing the line there.
 
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