Backwoods Power & Effectiveness Comparison: .357 Magnum vs. .40 S&W

J

Jelly

New member
For bipeds and similar targets, we know both the .357 and .40 are very effective.

Against animals though, I haven't heard much discussion on the topic: How does the .40 auto do in comparison to the .357 Magnum revolver?

4" .357 Revolver
5" .40 Auto
Both approximately equal overall length
 
A lot is going to depend on what your anticipated targets are, and load selection. The .357 can probably max out with greater penetration with things like 180 gr. SWC bullets, but you probably don't need that. The .357 is very well rated with 125 HP for man stopping, but the .40 S&W is also well rated.
The final selection will be based on personal preference, based on what you view as your requirements.
 
While I have no experience popping my .40 off at any critters, I've still carried it before when I'm in places with animals that can hurt me and I'm not bringing a shotgun or rifle. That said, I've heard it's fairly ineffective against game compared to the .357 mag. If you read recommendations for bear defense, the .357 mag is usually the recommended minimum, with the popular defense cartridges (including the .40) usually being discouraged. That said, I'm pretty much nothing, and I'm not necessarily saying the opinions I've heard and read are experts, but the vibe I've gotten is people usually opt for a magnum round. Not that I even need it - don't live in "real" bear country, they only occasionally wander into the vicinity of my family's cabin, I've yet to see one there - but I'm still looking to get a .44 magnum for a game gun. In the case of bobcat, flaked out coyote or rabid racoon, I certainly think the .40 would suffice, but I'd rather just go with one of the "established" game rounds rather than something which has pretty much only been mused on for human targets. I did hear a story once about a guy bringing down a deer with his .40 S&W - 9 shots. Doesn't seem like ethical hunting to me.
 
Don't think the 40 would work as well as the 357 for the bigger 4 legged creatures (havent' tried it my self though). A 10mm should work a lot better though if you want a semi-auto. Their is also a 45 super, 45 winmag, and a couple of semi-autos like the DE and Coonan's that shoot 357 and 44mags (a bit to big for my hands though).
 
The 357 has a better selection of bullets for one, the partition, the Win. platinum tip. These bullets are made for deep penetration with expansion and specifically for larger animals. The 40 was developed with law enforcement and civilian defense in mind and is an excellent choice for both. I do carry a 40 in the woods at times but not for hunting, hiking protection mostly and the only real threat here are black bears and there hasnt been an attack in over 100 years. I carry the 165 grain gold dot as it is bonded and offers the best of both worlds, velocity and penetration. I do carry a 357 during hunting season with 180 grain partition gold ammo, or when hiking in heavy bear country. The 357 will far outperform the 40 with the heavier bullets designed for game, for defense the 40 is right there with the famous 357 125gr defense load.
 
For animals up to the 150 pound class they should be equal. For larger animals that may be a threat (bear) I would prefer a 180 grain .357 over a .40 due to the greater sectional density. (Actually when you get to bear I prefer something bigger than .357 or .40) Of the two proposed I'd lean toward the .357 revolver for the ability to have two shot loads up front.
 
One thing to remember is the 357 Magnum and the 10mm are basically ballistic twins (the 10mm is basically the autoloader equivalent of the .357 Magnum)--and the 10mm starts where the .40 S&W stops.
 
IMHO:

if you are concerned about the suitability of a .357mag vs .40s&W vs 10mm..

it's time to get a rifle.
 
Actually, Nanuk, you are totally wrong.

In it's best commercial loadings the the .41 Magnum develops roughly 50 to 60 percent more energy than the 10mm does with its best commercial loads (and with heavier bullets to boot). The 10mm, with its hottest loads, falls far short of the .41 Magnum with its hottest loads (though there is some overlap between the hottest 10mm loads and the low to mid-level .41 Magnum loads).

When you compare the best .357 Magnum commercial loadings to the best 10mm commercial loads, you will find they are virtually identical.
 
When you compare the best .357 Magnum commercial loadings to the best 10mm commercial loads, you will find they are virtually identical.
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Is this true in the context we are discussing? CorBon makes a 200 grain hardcast .357 round and Buffalo Bore makes a 180 grain hardcast .357 round. Those two are pretty powerful penetrators - both moving at over 1200fps. No 10mm round that I know of is nearly as good a penetrator against something like a bear.

For normal self-defense, maybe 10mm is as good.
 
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I can't tell you where to find them, but 10mm can apparently drive up to 220 grain bullets at pretty high velocities reliably.
 
.357 Sig

I'd try a .357 SIG. Everything is the same as the .40, except when it hits downrange. I use a Glock 23 with Nigh Sights & M3 Tactical light to hunt pigs at night, and when I load it with Speer 125 Gr. Gold Dot hollowpoints, it drops them in their tracks. It will even work on deer in close. And according to Texa DPS it will do a number on bad guys. As far as I am concerned the .357 is one of the most useful rounds on the market today.
On the upside, if you already have .40, you can just rebarrel your .40 to become a .357 SIG. It makes the practice ALOT cheaper.
 
I can't tell you where to find them, but 10mm can apparently drive up to 220 grain bullets at pretty high velocities reliably.
Click to expand...

Buffalo Bore makes a 200 grainer that moves at 1200, Winchester makes a 175 grainer that goes 1295 fps, and the CorBon is 150 grains at 1300 fps. From my handy-dandy Excel penetration calculator, the 10mm penetration is 30-50% less than the heavy .357. Plus, I don't know if the 10mm is hardcast.
 
.357 Magnum would be a the bottom edge of my comfort level for this application. A .44 Magnum would make me feel better. The standard "defense" rounds really don't belong in the hunting scenario.
 
DoubleTap loads a variety of full power 10mm ammo, incl. a 200 gr hard cast @ 1300 fps, a 200 gr FMJ-FP @ 1275 fps and a 220 gr @ 1125 fps:

DoubleTap

Texas ammo also loads some full power 10mm, incl a 200 FMJ-FP @ 1250 fps:

Texas Ammo

Cor-Bon is loading a 180gr bonded soft point @ 1320 fps that looks interesting, tho characteristically pricey ($28 from Cor-Bon, $29 locally).
 
Juliett, I dont think that I am totally wrong. I carry a .40 on duty loaded with a 155 GRN JHP at 1250FPS. Prior to that I carried a 357 MAG with 145 GRN STHP at 1350 FPS. Pretty close isnt it? A 210 GRN 41 mag standard load is what?? 1100 FPS and a 180 GRN 10mm 1250 FPS. Any difference is minor and can be overcome by shot placement and to some extent matching the bullet design to the intended target. I have never owner a 10mm, never had the need or desire. I have however hunted with 357, 41 and 44 MAGs' and that is my preffered medicine.
 
10mm = .41 AE :D

I prefer a wheel gun for goin through the bush, mainly since they are more relaible when it counts.
 
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