i need your opinion.

K

kt007006

Inactive
i am looking for a good reliable revolver to carry out in the woods for protection. it needs to have enough power to take down a wild boar or coyote efficiently, but it also can't be huge. i want a good reliable gun. thank you for your time. please give me your advice.
 
Smith and Wesson 66

I would get a good Smith and Wesson 66 in .357 mag. Load with heavy bullets for the big varmints, perhaps. Someone in the general handgun forum says they see ads in SGN right now for used ones for 269$. Since it is stainless, your worry would be only if the gun was shot loose or something. Presumably not finish wear or rust. Not a hunting handgun, but enough for just about anything but the bears, and maybe enough for small bears! And 2 legged snakes, for sure.
 
I would opt for a .357 mag with a 4 inch barrel. My preference would be a S&W 686. I'd stick with S&W (L or K frame), Colt (J frame), or Ruger (Security 6/GP-100 frame). Don't overlook a nice used model and save the extra money.
 
If your opting for a .357, load it up with Winchester 180gr Partition Gold ammo. Good for taking down wild boar, coyotes, and the occaisonal two legged badass. The ammo has been tested by the IWBA (International Wound Ballistics Assn). It's real good ammo :)
 
Last edited:
It depends on how much handgun experiance you have or if you handload , I prefer more power than a .357 for a large hog and I dont feel a big disadvantage with a single action for self defense in the woods . You dont mention a price range either . My first choice would be a bigbore Freedom arms model 83 in iether 475 linebaugh ,45 colt, 44mag or 454 casull but these are a bit pricey,My next choice would be a ruger blackhawk in 45colt or 44 mag . any of them will handle anything in the woods with the right loads and steady hands.
 
I'd recommend a SW500 4" except if you ever HAD to fire it in an emergency, Im pretty convinced it'd leave you deaf.

That being said, its extremely difficult to go wrong with a 4" 686P or a similar SW 44 mag (657?).
 
I have always liked the .357 magnum, but dislike the noise when fired without ear protection. My choice would be a single-action in .45 LC or .44 magnum, but if you like a DA and weight is an issue, the .44 mag S&W Mountain model has a lot going for it, especially with lighter loads for smaller game and practice.

You're fortunate these days because there are so many good choices in guns and quality ammo. You'll probably get a wide range of responses, nearly every one with merit.

Picher
 
My 2 cents, You'd probobly be well served by any 357 mag for yotes. Hogs on the other hand are notoriously meaner and harder to drop. For those critters I'd vote a 44 mag with a 4"-6" barrel. ( A 41 mag or even 45 LC would be OK too but the ammo costs are going to be considerably higher and more limited.) As for size, 357's can be had well below 20 oz in the high end, short bareled scandium S&W's. However, your average steel medium framed 357 isn't going to weigh but 10-15% less than a simularly built 42-46 oz , 44 mag. As mentioned , S&W does make a lighter 44 mag but it's not cheap.
hth
 
I used to hunt ALOT when I was able. Wouldn't be TOO terribly worried about the coyotes, as they are often discouraged by the noise alone, and a .357 with .38 loads can be affective. The hogs are a different matter all together. I personally wouldn't go against a hog with ANYTHING smaller than a .45, I don't care what ANYONE says. I have hunted them and they can be REALLY tuff to put down. They are VERY pain resistant, and I have SEEN them seriously hurt a man AFTER rounds had been put in them. There are several smaller .45's. Load heavy with a big hollow load. .44 would be better, in at least a 6" barrel, but those are large guns. Best thing to do is carry a big bore rifle and not let 'em get that close to begin with. ;)
 
i was originally leaning toward a 357 but i see that some of you say your weary of a 357 mag up against a wild boar. their is alot of boar around so i need to know if 357 mag. is enough. :cool:
 
I don't know where you guys are getting this business about shooting wild pigs of any shade with a .357 magnum! ARE YOU NUTS!! I plan to take my 44 mag. on a pig hunting trip and that's the MINIMUM gun I'd use on those critters. I might come to my senses and take the 454 Casull or my '06! For my money it is grossly irresponsible to advise anybody to use a 357 mag. on wild pigs. Flame me if you want, that's my view and I'm stick'n to it!
 
You're offering your opinion, so there is no reason to flame you. Some people I know use a 4in Smith 19 loaded .38spl+p and have taken deer with a single round.
 
kt007006...It all depends on what you can handle..I agree with Dusty..if you can handle .44 mag or larger go for it..remember you are the only one who has to be comfortable firing the revolver accurately!! It's your decision!

Not everyone can blast away with .44's .454's, 50 AE, etc...shot placement is everything.

All I'm saying is if you choose .357 the best and only round to use is the 180gr for your purposes.

If you can't handle the recoil on the big revo's and miss, your screwed.

In that case buy a good rifle or shot gun (Loaded with Brenneke Slugs)

:D
 
willjr wrote:

Some people I know use a 4in Smith 19 loaded .38spl+p and have taken deer with a single round.
Click to expand...


Uhhhmmm......you can kill a deer with a .22LR. But the question had NOTHING to do with deer, it was about WILD BOAR. I have hunted wild boar, and you would be a retard to take anything less than .45 caliber. Like I said before, I would take a big long barrel .44 magnum if I HAD to have a handgun.

Look, for the guy that asked this question.....listen to someone who has been there. For a wild boar, take ENOUGH GUN. Don't listen to some of these armchair hunters.....

flame me if you want, I'd rather see the guy asking the question live to ask more questions.........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top