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

[Tom S.]

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.

There are people (I am NOT one of them!) who hunt hogs with a knife! Google it, they really do it.

 

[44wheelman]

I would steer you to 44 over 41. The guns are the same size. The .019” inches difference is minor. Ammo and or component availability should be considered.

If you reload there really isn’t much difference, if you don’t, you can practice with 44 specials.

 

[topranchhand]

Ahh, I don't reload. I am just now facing a reality sticker shock of current ammo prices. Need to think this through again. In my excitement and ignorance, I didn't research the cost of ammo.

 

[Darkenfast]

Here's a six-year old video from Paul Harrell, comparing the .357 to the .44. Obviously the .44 is more powerful, and in his expert hands, it's hard to see the difference in recoil. However, there's two things interesting to note: 1. He shot some classic Federal .357 158-grain JSPs out of a new 686+ with a six-inch barrel, and got around 1360 fps. 2. The performance of that combo on his good ol' "meat target" showed plenty of damage and plenty of penetration. That load (and some other brand's vintage .357 offerings) are not that expensive compared to more exotic magic bullet offerings, and simply don't kick that hard in a six-inch L-frame. It's been a while since I had mine, but it was easy to handle and I don't enjoy a lot of recoil.

See if you can try one out. As many others have noted, what you shoot well is important.

Caveat: There's a lot of BS velocities printed on ammunition boxes. If you don't have access to a chronograph, try to find a trusted source testing out of real-world guns for your information.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjxryJ9FKVA&t=1272s[/ame]

 

[AlHunt]

Ahh, I don't reload. I am just now facing a reality sticker shock of current ammo prices. Need to think this through again. In my excitement and ignorance, I didn't research the cost of ammo.

44 Mag has made reloaders of many shooters. .41 and .357, too. But that's another thread and rabbit hole.

I'm a big fan of my .44mag Super Redhawk. At about 3.5 pounds, I can shoot it one handed all afternoon. Heresy, I know.

 

[DR505]

I shoot the .357, .41. and .44 mags. Out of the three I prefer the .41 mag for just about everything. The only cartridge I prefer a shade more is the .45 Colt due to its versatility and performance.

This is my go-to .41 magnum for hunting:

A 657-2 Classic Hunter. It is very accurate and the unfluted cylinder adds a bit of weight...not a benefit for carry, but a benefit for recoil control.

 

[DR505]

.41 Mag rules!

BTW - I also have a couple of 3" 657s I use for CCW:

 

[stansdds]

Ahh, I don't reload. I am just now facing a reality sticker shock of current ammo prices. Need to think this through again. In my excitement and ignorance, I didn't research the cost of ammo.

If you don't roll your own ammo, then 44 Magnum is a better option. 44 Magnum ammo is, right now, plentiful as is 44 Special ammo.

 

[topranchhand]

I shoot the .357, .41. and .44 mags. Out of the three I prefer the .41 mag for just about everything. The only cartridge I prefer a shade more is the .45 Colt due to its versatility and performance.

This is my go-to .41 magnum for hunting:

A 657-2 Classic Hunter. It is very accurate and the unfluted cylinder adds a bit of weight...not a benefit for carry, but a benefit for recoil control.

YEs, I love that. Exactly the model 657 in .41 mag that I have in mind...Next week though I will research the reloading rabbit hole and then hopefully get closer to a decision. Thanks again!

 

[22hipower]

I don't hunt pigs with a handgun, have trouble enough getting them with a 300BLK and a thermal scope, but if I did it would be with this 657-5 PC 8 inch.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2odZncN https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Claymore33]

All shooters being equal , the six inch barrel will be the better gun. But if you are 5’9” and shrinking like me, it is hard to unholster a 6 inch in a hurry. And when hunting hogs everything happens in a hurry. So I have always bought 4” in Model 19, 29 and 57. I also have 27s in 5”. and yes I have killed a 340# boar with my 7” SEAL knife. Of course it was headed (nose) and healed by 2 pit bulldogs.