10 MM or .357 Magnum ?

[RedBerens]

What would your pick be for woods / mountain bumming, and as a sidearm for hunting? I have a 681, but I'm thinking about replacing it with a 10mm autoloader. I won't say which brand for fear of being lynched around here.

Aside from the two guns, which would be a better all-around outdoors cartidge?

 

[RedBerens]

What would your pick be for woods / mountain bumming, and as a sidearm for hunting? I have a 681, but I'm thinking about replacing it with a 10mm autoloader. I won't say which brand for fear of being lynched around here.

Aside from the two guns, which would be a better all-around outdoors cartidge?

 

[ladder13]

I like Glocks too.
The noise you hear is me ducking for cover.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

357 S&W is what I would carry, since You have a 681 I would go for a 625 or 629.

 

[Messer]

I've also been thinking about a 10mm pistol for a woods gun - leaning towards the Glock G20.(especially the G20SF version due out "any day")

That being said - here in Virginia, the biggest thing I can run into is a black bear and her cubs (did that last year - she stayed calm - we left in a slow controlled manor - no shots fired). In that situation - the bigger the better.

But the most common thing to bump into are 1) snakes (I don't shoot them if I can avoid it) 2) packs of dogs 3) people that grow funny lookin plants 4) people that like to play part-time chemists... either of your choices work for that. (and I usually carry either a Ruger Blackhawk (357 or 45) or a Glock 33 in 357 Sig)

You being in Colorado might have other things to worry about.

Take care,
Bob S.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a big revolver fan. I would think a heavy hard cast bullet from a .357 Magnum is hard to beat, even with a 10mm.

 

[Seven For Sure]

For general woods bumming, I'd take 16 rds. of 10mm over 5,6,7 or 8 of 357. You said a hunting sidearm, like to put down a severely wounded animal at close range or SD from bears and humans I guess. If it was for hunting, I'd say either as long as the 10mm was a 610. There is no doubt revolvers are more accurate than autos off the bench and the difference is increased when you take the revolvers SA capability into account in real life situations. The Glock 20 would have a great advantage for SD against humans IMO especially if they were more than one.

I just bought a 20SF, my third 20, my fourth Glock 10mm and my fifth 10mm handgun. Great round and very reliable weapon.

 

[Sportsterguy]

This for me is a no brainer. You should be prepared for the largest animal you may have an unpleasant encounter with. In your case I'd say a mama bear with cubs can put you in deep crap quick! I myself carry a revolver for my outdoor activities as I know MY S&W WILL go bang everytime I pull the trigger.

Try this .357 ammo out (Buffalobore). The heavy 180 gr. will do the job on everything though it is overkill for the little guys.

Another good selling point is the variety of loads for it, and the price difference in ammo.
You can practice cheaply with light .38's and should practice with the full power loads.

Now if you are in Grizz country I would definately be packing a .41 or .44 mag with a heavy, hard cast bullet for maximum penetration and no breaking up of the bullet if it hits bone.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357

FYI I lived on Kodiak and Sitka Islands in Alaska for 6 years and hunted with my best friend, a Fish and Game Officer (Troopers in Brown). Had my .338 Win Mag with 210 gr. Nosler Partitions as my primary gun for hunting/protection and my .41 mag with HC bullets for when the Ruger 77 wasn't in my hands. Them bears are not a problem 99% of the time, but it's better to be prepared for the worst case scenario IMO.

Hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Roger

 

[Richard Simmons]

I'd suggest a 10mm autoloader AND a 10mm wheelgun.

My Glock 29

Very good power in a convenient package.

My S&W M610-2

Also a nice, compact package with the upside of being able to shoot .40 S&W. Full moon clips are very fast a pretty cheap too.

 

[Dan Christopher]

Insofar as potency of the rounds themselves is concerned, honestly at the max loadings they are so close in performance that an argument really can't be made as to which is better.

It really just boils down to your preference of platform: revolver or autoloader, although 10mm is available in wheelgun form a la Mod 610.

The Glock does give you advantage of increased capacity.

As far as a gun for just walking the woods? I would be perfectly happy with either.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, IMHO the 10 mm is the better cartridge, but the revolver is the better woods gun. If those were my only choices for the purposes you describe, I'd probably go with the 10 mm.

If I had other choices, I'd be looking for a .44 or .45 revolver.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I'd suggest a 10mm with heavy (i.e. original Norma type 10mm loads) handloads with 200gr bullets if you need maximum power.

But you'll probably have to find a good used S&W 1006 to shoot those from if you intend to do it regularly. If you are shooting modern factory ammo about anything will work, but those plastic toy guns will break or blow up your momma with *real* 10mm loads

.

 

[animalmother]

My two favorite calibers. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[pps]

Double Tap or Buffalo Bore 10mm is the only semi-auto round I'd trust for woods carry.

Tomato/Tomaaato
Ginger/Maryann
Tastes Great/Less Filling

 

[JD 500]

Red - 44 Mag.

I see you're in Denver. Not sure if hunting is in your plans, but a 41 mag is the minimum legal cartridge for hunting deer, elk, mtn lion, or bear in CO. Should you down an animal and need a second shot to dispatch it, CDOW requires even a dispatching shot, be made with a legal hunting caliber. Obviously 41's are available, but I wouldn't hold my breath walking into a small shop in the mtns expecting to find 41 mag ammo should you need it.

When I'm in the field, frankly bear doesn't bother me nearly as much as mtn lion, which can sneak up on you without your knowledge. Just this past fall, a couple walking around Newcastle (Just West of Glenwood Springs) had to shoot a mtn lion to defend themselves. I'm no expert, but in my opinion, if you really had an incident with wildlife, I don't think the critters are going to wait for your 7th shot or beyond that an auto may afford. I sure wouldn't want to deal with anything wounded, and again, my personal preference, would be a minimum of 44 mag. ( Also min barrel length is 4" ) So frankly a 629 mtn gun fits the bill nicely.

Regards,

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I would keep the 681 if it is good shape, I don't see very many of them around.If you must trade look at the model 610, you can also shoot .40S&W in it.

 

[NiklasP]

JD 500,

Do any of heaviest Buffalo Bore .357 Mag loads, with 180-200 grain LBT hardcast bullets, or Double Tap's 158 grain Gold Dot max .357 mag loads meet Colorado's minimum for ft-lbs at 50 yards, say from 5-6 inch or more barrel?

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[pinkymingeo]

Factory 10mm ammo is really expensive. If you load your own, though, it's tough to beat the 10. 40 caliber is just, well, better than 357 caliber. I've gotten rid of my 357 range guns and shoot three 610's in 4", 5" and 6.5". The primary reason is that 10mm is, for me, much more pleasant to shoot. 357's have very sharp recoil and earsplitting report, while 10's are much easier on the shooter.

 

[Robert B]

There's a guy on Shooters Forum who has killed 19 black bears with a 44 magnum. I was looking for the right trail load for encounters with black bears as they are the largest threat here in Arizona. This guy recommended a cast lead bullet around 270 grains travelling at around 1000fps. I turned around and bought Buffalo Bore's 305 grain cast lead for my 2.5 inch 44 magnum revolver. Tim at Buffalo Bore e-mailed me and said that this round would clock at around 1150 fps from my snub. I would go with the Shooters Forum guy's knowledge of what it takes to kill a black bear if I were you. In fact, I did.

 

[44Frank]

IMHO, a model 629 is the answer.With a .357mag
you may be just ticking the critter off more than stopping the threat.

BTW,Can you legally hunt in CO with an autoloader or semi-auto?
I know we can't here in PA.Inquiring minds want to know.......