686-4 vs. 686-6 for hog hunting at 30 yards max

[topranchhand]

Is there a significant difference between a 4" barrel and a 6" barrel for hunting close distances of 30 yards in in a .357 magnum? If I got the 4" it could also be used for my EDC non-hunting needs. Thanks

 

[lihpster]

Don't think the pigs will notice the difference. Nor much care, really.

 

[DR505]

It depends on how well you shoot the 4" compared to the 6". At 30 yards, for me, there would not be a big difference.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! I would say ballistically the two are effectively the same. Sight radius may make a difference unless you use an optic.

Are you experienced with field work with a handgun? A larger caliber would give you more margin for effectiveness.

 

[topranchhand]

That's the answer I was needing: "ballistically the two are effectively the same". I have shot other's 4" at short range targets often and have built up high confidence with that length of barrel. I work on a ranch fixing fences and clearing trails and the 4" of course would be less cumbersome to carry with all the chainsaws and tools I have to lug around. I just wanted to confirm that balistically the 4" would be enough even with a well placed shot and that the 6" didn't give me anything extra. I'd get a .44 but there are tons of 357 ammo laying around. Thanks, everyone for confirming!

 

[Beju]

Bullet construction is likely to matter more than 4" vs 6" of barrel. Some of the 125 gr JHP designed for self defense against people may have suboptimal penetration for a large hog at certain angles.

 

[Yendor357]

I shoot a 4 just as well as a 6. From a tree stand, I’ve harvested several deer with a 4 inch 686. I don’t know if all 4 inch 686s are as accurate as mine, but the one I have is awesome.

 

[Beju]

I shoot a 4 just as well as a 6. From a tree stand, I’ve harvested several deer with a 4 inch 686. I don’t know if all 4 inch 686s are as accurate as mine, but the one I have is awesome.

The 4" 686 that I bought in 2023 has excellent accuracy.

 

[T44spl]

The subject is hunting Hogs Not Wild Boar with a 357 magnum, I'm not a hunter but barring good shot placement is a 357 magnum adequate for Hog hunting? Dangerous game such as wild boar may be a different story with a handgun, But can someone elaborate please?
It's my understanding that hogs can go feral and easily grow tusks and a heavy coat to protect against the enviorment, so a very adaptable animal. Thanks for any help with elaborating on this.

 

[stansdds]

The subject is hunting Hogs Not Wild Boar with a 357 magnum, I'm not a hunter but barring good shot placement is a 357 magnum adequate for Hog hunting? Dangerous game such as wild boar may be a different story with a handgun, But can someone elaborate please?
It's my understanding that hogs can go feral and easily grow tusks and a heavy coat to protect against the enviorment, so a very adaptable animal. Thanks for any help with elaborating on this.

Decades ago, there was an article in one of the gun magazines comparing 357, 41, and 44 Magnum revolver effectiveness against wild boar. These were not little pigs, these were the big, furry, tusk bearing wild boar. The takeaway from the article was that 41 and 44 Magnum did a good job of dropping them with one well placed shot, but the 357 Magnum required multiple shots.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I agree...a .357 Magnum round might be a little light for big hogs at 30 yards. A very well placed shot would probably stop one, but perhaps not DRT (dead right there). Besides, a 4" or 6" stainless steel 686 is not a small or light revolver for EDC and you'll need a sturdy belt and holster. As others have mentioned, a .41 Magnum or .44 Magnum might be a better choice (or a 10mm if you like semi-auto pistols), and they weigh about the same as an L-frame 686. Both the .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum (or .44 Special) offer lots of choices on hard cast bullets which will definitely stop a hog dead in their tracks. Probably not what you wanted to hear...just my 2 cents.

 

[toad67]

I just looked at the BBTI chart and with a 158 grain bullets, the 6" will be about 160fps faster than the 4" at the muzzle.

 

[Yendor357]

If I was going after hogs, I’d take my 4 inch 629 full of Lyman 429421, 255G SWCs going 1275 fps. That 429421 is still the greatest 44 cast bullet.


But back to the 4 inch vs the 6 inch….. my new 4 inch Python chronos faster than my 6 inch 686. That probably doesn’t happen often.

^Yet another reason to get that $600 Garmin Xero. You simply do NOT know what you have balistically without one. And they’re inexpensive.

 

[D Brown]

Is there a significant difference between a 4" barrel and a 6" barrel for hunting close distances of 30 yards in in a .357 magnum? If I got the 4" it could also be used for my EDC non-hunting needs. Thanks

686-4 vs. 686-6 The title of your post would lead someone to assume that you are asking about different engineering changes of the Model 686 when you are really asking about different barrel lengths. The "dash" after the model number, followed by another number denotes the engineering change and not the barrel length.

 

[topranchhand]

Thank you for straightening me out on that! Other than a lot of practice shooting at tin cans, I am a gun newbie and apologize for my ignorance. But coming here to post this question is the best thing I could have done, now I have a vested interest in doing a deep dive investigation instead of just rushing out to get myself a revolver. Thanks!

 

[22hipower]

I don't think the pigs will notice any difference. I've seen them hit with about everything, 375 H&H down to 222 Remington, and sometimes they're DRT and sometimes they run off. My question though is how do you plan to get within 30 yards of wild hogs?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[topranchhand]

OK thanks. I know some good hog wallows and have been watching them come in, just have to be at the right one at the right time with the right wind. After all this input, leaning toward getting a .44 now and just buy my own bullets and see if I can hit a can with it.

 

[Chrisj357]

Welcome! I would say ballistically the two are effectively the same. Sight radius may make a difference unless you use an optic.

Are you experienced with field work with a handgun? A larger caliber would give you more margin for effectiveness.

If you’re talking little pigs (under 100lb) the .357 should do it. Any bigger and I would want a larger caliber.

 

[Pisgah]

The 6 inch barrel gets you 2 inches closer to your target.

That's the main advantage...

 

[Pointblank2U]

Balistically, a 4" and 6" are FAR from the same..

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .357 Mag Results