I have a Kel-Tec P40. I'm thinking of getting a .357 Sig barrel for it and carrying it backpacking for defense against black bear and mountain lion. I've used a .357 revolver for this purpose in the past, but I like the compactness, light-weight, and high-capacity of the Kel-Tec. Since I can't imagine shooting at these animals unless I were in immediate danger - meaning they would have to be very close (or I'd be yelling and waving rather than shooting), I think I can live with the reduced accuracy of the DAO trigger.
Anyway, my concern is that, while the .357 Sig apparently equals or surpasses the .357 mag with light bullet loads from short barreled guns, I haven't seen much about heavier bullet loads for the Sig (for increased penetration). I understand that the Sig was developed to duplicate the .357 Mag 125gr hollow-point loads that are well-proven against humans, but I'd like to find (or load) something closer in performance to 158gr .357 mag softpoints or SWCs. I've considered the 147 gr 9mm bullets, but I suspect that they are designed to expand at lower velocities and may not penetrate too well.
Thoughts?
P.S. - Sorry to bring up "bears" again - I know some won't be able to resist telling me that neither the Sig nor the Magnum are adequate to the task. Please remember that I'll not be hunting them - this is analogous to carring a P32 for self defense (probably no one's first choice, but much better than nothing when you can't/won't carry something bigger).
Doug
Anyway, my concern is that, while the .357 Sig apparently equals or surpasses the .357 mag with light bullet loads from short barreled guns, I haven't seen much about heavier bullet loads for the Sig (for increased penetration). I understand that the Sig was developed to duplicate the .357 Mag 125gr hollow-point loads that are well-proven against humans, but I'd like to find (or load) something closer in performance to 158gr .357 mag softpoints or SWCs. I've considered the 147 gr 9mm bullets, but I suspect that they are designed to expand at lower velocities and may not penetrate too well.
Thoughts?
P.S. - Sorry to bring up "bears" again - I know some won't be able to resist telling me that neither the Sig nor the Magnum are adequate to the task. Please remember that I'll not be hunting them - this is analogous to carring a P32 for self defense (probably no one's first choice, but much better than nothing when you can't/won't carry something bigger).
Doug