Trail/Hiking Defense .357 Mag or .44 Spec.?

Dump1567

Dump1567

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I think I already have a gun picked out for a hiking/trail gun. I already have an L Frame 5 shot .44 spl. Night Guard & have thought about picking-up it's 7 shot .357 magnum brother.

My question is, which would you prefer for a hiking/trail gun. 7 shots of .357 mag or 5 shots of .44 spec. The possible encounters would be two legged critters and possibly large cats, coyotes, or wild dogs (no bear). These would be short duration hikes lasting maybe two hours.

Also, what would you choose for ammo. Standard SD hollowpoints, or is there a need for the various hardcast bullets offered by Buffalo Bore, Grizzly, etc.?

Thanks.
 
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I would choose the 7 shot .357 and whatever the current best choice in personal defense ammunition is assuming that I could obtain a reasonable amount of the stuff and was able to shoot it well.
 
I had a 44 Mag because I live in bear and cougar country. With the 44 you can target/plink with specials and load up the magnums when your serious. ;) It is a great gun but I opted out of that gun for a 8 shot 357. I think the 357 is a terrific choice because of the different ammo choices. The 7 shot you are considering is a very nice gun, I almost bought it because it is so much lighter than the 8 shot. I really like the Night Guard line.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
I would go with the .357, but shoot it a lot, and know the impact of .38 spl wadcutters and your carry load never been a better small game gun!
 
357 will be lighter and less in your way. but if you opt for the 44 .. make it worth the weight and pack a magnum, not a special.
given your target evaluation, I'd opt for the 200G XTP in 44 magnum.
where bear become part of the potential problem .. a hard cast 240 - 310 of your choosing is the order of the day
 
.357 given what you've listed. But my personal choice in that situation is generally a Glock G20 10mm, sometimes a G31 in .357 SIG. Sometimes I carry either a GP-100 or an L-Comp though. I live in coyote/black bear/two-legged critter country. Honestly more worried about the two-legged kind, and I pack accordingly.
 
I don't think you will be undergunned with a .44 spl (unless you are in alaska), but given the choice I would go with the .357 .

Loaded with 180gr hollow points, the .357 should outperform any factory load in .44spc, in any potential situation (people or predators), with more shots to boot.

To be honest considering the wide variety of uses you mention the only calibers I would put ahead of a .357 are a 10mm or .44 magnum.
 
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7 shots of 357 magnum. I might have it loaded alternatively with hollow points and solids. However, the 44 special night guard, which I belive is a light weight gun would also make an excellent trail gun.
 
I'd choose the 7 or 8 shot .357 mag in your area for what you want to do. I'd stick to 125 grain gold dots. Much good ammo out there, just my favorite. It makes 1200FPS out of my M&P360 (1 7/8" barrel)!!!!
 
Sprefix said:
I'd choose the 7 or 8 shot .357 mag in your area for what you want to do. I'd stick to 125 grain gold dots. Much good ammo out there, just my favorite. It makes 1200FPS out of my M&P360 (1 7/8" barrel)!!!!
Click to expand...

I'm betting that your M&P360 lets you know when one of those rounds exits the barrel! :D

I'm for the .357 over the .44 spl. myself. You can practice with .38 spl. and save your cash for some of the carry ammo mentioned above by Sprefix!

Pete
 
Since this is a choice between the two guns you have (and not about what to buy) I'd use the 357, stoked with 158-grain softpoints. Should be able to perforate anything you come across, on two or four legs. I love the 44 Special (and wish I had a 696 to fondle) but two more quick shots at the ready are a better idea.
 
I think the 44 special should get the nod. 255gr moving along at around 900-1000fps (Buffalobore) will do fine. I'd take that over a 125gr moving at 1200fps any day, and for the critters you mentioned I don't know how much insurance the 2 extra rounds will give you.

I have the 396NG too. I love that gun so my opinion is biased and not worth much more than 2c
 
For years I hiked/backpacked (cat and bear country) with a variety of .357's, but within the last couple years I switched to the 329NG (.44 Mag). The gun is reasonably light, but the ammunition is not! But...your hikes are short so not that big a deal....

At low altitude where there is no chance of bears, but there is a possibility of cats/coyotes, I still carry a .357, like the very light M&P340/360.

Hardcast is hardly necessary on a cat, and will in fact overpenetrate badly making a narrow wound channel and wasting the available energy. Get some hollowpoints, like Hornady XTP's. They are tough enough to penetrate reliably, but will still expand.
 
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For your choice of guns and the animals mentioned I'd go with the .357mag loaded with Buffalo Bore 158gr. JHC.
 
Sounds like the .357 is plenty for your needs. I like the 44 Special a lot but it requires handloading to get the best out of it. Before we had Bear incidents around here, I carried a Model 60 in 38 Special and shot various varmints with it using 158 grain SWCs--- it did the job well. For your intended usage, I'd say a good 158 grain HP in .357 Mag would be the ticket.
 
The 357, my ammo of choice for out in the woods is the 158 gr Federal Fusion. For two legged critters is the 125 gr hp, currently the Magtech hp load, but any premium load will work if it groups well out of your gun.
 
I agree with the .357 choice for the reasons already stated. Also, if you are out in rural/small town areas it will be a lot easier to find .38/.357 ammo. I would go with a first rate factory load from any major manufacturer in the form of a .357 158 gr. JHP for dealing with two and medium sized four legged pests. Also, include at least a couple of speedloaders and/or Speed Strips...I do like the idea of the G20 or a good .45 acp. But, of the two you asked about the .357 is more practical and I prefer more shots in the cyclinder. I don't think a hardcast SWC is best for the bipedal threats.
 
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