Which ammo of these will penetrate heavy skin and dense bone the best?

L

Lambdebois

New member
I would love some double tap or buffalo bore but at the moment am unable to find any. I have over 700 rounds of ammo for each of my two hand guns and am wondering which brand/type of ammo would be best for mountain lions and Colorado black bears in case my 12 gauge is not on me at the time of an encounter. We often fish, hike, camp, and do other things where they are around. I had 3 black bear encounters last year and luckily all ran away.
When camping we had an encounter with a mountain lion at dusk that kept appearing in different place trying to get close to one of our 3 dogs. We had no firearms on us and simply put the dogs in the vehicle to resolve the situation. With the different ammo I have listed....What would you prefer to be loaded in the two guns?

Two handguns.... one worn by myself and the other by the girlfriend....


Smith&Wesson 686P 357 magnum:

1. Federal Premium
158 grn Hydra-shock jhp
2. Hornady 158 grn xtp
3. HSM 158 grn semi-wadcutter
4. Remington 125 grn JSp
5. Winchester 110 grn jhp
6. Magtech 158 grn sjsp

Glock 32 357 sig:

1. Hornady 124 grn jhp/xtp
2. Extreme Shock Ammunition
3. Winchester 125 grn jhp
4. Winchester 125 grn fmj
5. Remington 125 grn mc

Thanks in advance.
 
For penetration, especially through bone, you want NON-hollow point, heavy bullet.

Smith&Wesson 686P 357 magnum:

3. HSM 158 grn semi-wadcutter
4. Remington 125 grn JSp
6. Magtech 158 grn sjsp

Glock 32 357 sig:

4. Winchester 125 grn fmj
5. Remington 125 grn mc
Click to expand...
 
I'd say a .44mag, hard cast SWC with a handsome dose of Alliant's 2400 powder.But then again, that's just me.
 
I'd say a .44mag, HARD cast SWC with a handsome dose of Alliant's 2400 powder.But then again, that's just me.:D
 
For deep penetration and bone busting power you want a heavy hard cast (non-HP) bullet going as fast as you can drive it.

.357 Magnum allows the use of heavy 180 grain loadings that are designed for this. Also, the .357 Mag is capable of considerably more energy (especially out of longer barrels) than the .357 Sig. And to boot, the .357 Sig can't chamber the heavy bullets anyhow.

The .357 Sig is a one trick pony; it throws a 125 grain bullet close to the speed of a .357 Mag but quickly falls completely out of favor when heavier loadings need to be used.
 
+1 to bullet weight and density.

.357 magnum, carry 158gr LSWC or heavier/denser. JSP's are not in the same league as a LSWC. The lead is swaged into the jacket from a long wire spool of lead, not melted then cast and quenched for hardness. JSP's are better than hollowpoints for penetration, but LSWC, LRN, LRNFP and the like rule.

.357 sig? Not in the same league by any stretch. 125gr is about your peak weight. Go FMJ or hardcast if you can find it or reload it, and hope for the best.
 
Here's an informal test I conducted just yesterday with a Glock 33. (3.46 inch barrel 357 sig)


Shooting at pine trees, ranging from approximately 4-8 inch diameter. Georgia Arms Canned Heat FMJ and Speer Gold Dot JHP. The GA FMJ penetrated all the trees completely in all cases. The GDHP penetrated only the smallest tree. No exit in any instance on any other trees.
 
Hey Lamb
It seems people don't understand your question.
(44mag not his option-180 grain 357 not an option)

From my experience with mountain lion any of the 357 mag you have will work.
I'd use the heaviest one's you got I'd go with the hornady's. I know 6 or 7 professional lion hunters and when they tree a cat 50% of them use .22lr. Cats aren't all that big (body mass)

As for the 357 sig I'd do a mix of FMJ & hollow points.

As long as you can hit what you are aiming at you will be well protected.
Good Luck
 
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I'd stay away from the .357 SIG in this role. It approaches .357 Mag performance in its primary loading -- the 125 gr JHP, but that's all it does. What you need to do the heavy skin/heavy bone field defense role is go with the hottest, heaviest wide flat meplat hardcast solid that you can get.

To fill the role that you are fishing for in my 4" 686, I handload a Cast Performance 180gr LWFN-GC bullet using a stout charge of H-110. I can't remember if it is Buffalo Bore or Double Tap that makes a similar factory load, you'll have to check. But that's what you want for protection against baddie 4 legged threats out in the woods.

Added --
Buffalo Bore makes a 180 gr LWFN load.
Double Tap also has a 180 gr LWFN load.
Corbon has a 200 gr hardcast.
--

If you just have to carry that .357 SIG, I'd suggest carrying it with TMC or FMJ bullets. NON expanding. Even so, the lack of mass, along with the less than favorable meplat, means that you aren't anywhere near optimal.
 
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.357mag, 180g and 200g Hard cast would be my choice. In fact, I keep a box of Corbon 200g hardcast for my 8 shot 627, and 327.
 
I have a Colt Trooper Mk III 357 Magnum; anyone think the Buffalo Bore 357 Magnum 180 Grain Lead Flat Nose might be too much power for the gun? The website says its is not intended for older guns
 
Both Buffalo Bore and Double Tap are available off their web sites. DT makes a 158gr HP that is pretty stout and should work. DT also makes a 180 gr, but I have not shot. About any good premium maker of ammo will have have what you need. I know these suggestions are not on the list, but DT and BB are what I use in my .357M, my .44Spl and my .44M for 'woods' carry'.
 
be best for mountain lions and Colorado black bears
Click to expand...

Any of that ammo would be decent for the cougar. For black bears (and only using your options) I would say...

Smith&Wesson 686P 357 magnum:
4. Remington 125 grn JSp

Glock 32 357 sig:
4. Winchester 125 grn fmj

Either way if you (Maker forbid) have an encounter with an angry bear you will feel like you are shooting peas at a battleship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2qYfCOxEYQ&feature=related
 
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