Just got my pistol permit and looking fora good hunting pistol

Mt.Man · 05-02-2010, 03:10 PM

I was thinking of a .357?

I hunt upstate NY. Most shoots 50 yards and under.

Do I need a 6" barrel or will 4" do?

Thanks
Bill

adam11082 · 05-03-2010, 03:41 AM

Hi Bill, I'm in Upstate NY myslef, Syracuse to be exact. In my opinion the .357 is a tad under-powered but it will get the job done as long as bullet placement is there and you do your part. I personally use a taurus in .44mag and it will do pretty much anything I ask it too. Good luck!

lovethebigguns · 05-03-2010, 05:06 AM

You'll find lots of opinions on this one. I will also agree with a good 44 mag revolver. You'll be able to pretty much kill anything you'd ever come across with that round. Ammo selection is no problem either; a good number of hardware stores and basically all retailers with a sporting goods department will have a few of them on hand. Tremendous bullet selection, lighter selections in the 200's to heavier 300's to do whatever you want. I think around 6" is a great all around barrel length. It's long enough to give the revolver adequate weight for recoil reduction and balance and it's not so long that it's a difficult to comfortably carry.

Good luck!

Warren · 05-03-2010, 11:53 AM

If your shots are 50yds and under, then I don't see the need for a 44. If you plan on extending your range past that then the 357 starts to lose it's effectiveness. After 50yds you might be looking at putting a scope on the gun.
In 357, go with a minimun 6" barrel and bullet weight of 158 or 180gr.
If this is your first handgun then I would not recommend a 44.
I've taken 6 NY whitetails with a handgun (3 with 357 and 3 with 44) I got rid of the 44 and now only use the 357. I did not enjoy shooting the 44.
Now if your area has black bears, and you plan on taking a shot at one, then look at the 44.

Mt.Man · 05-03-2010, 01:40 PM

Thanksfor the info. You guys have great info.

dtac96 · 05-03-2010, 02:14 PM

Well I hunted with a colt python and a king kobra and they were just great.

halfbakedi420 · 05-03-2010, 02:30 PM

dude, the best balanced, largest cal that will take a scope....S&W 500 baby...look on youtube, the got hot chicks with big ones shooting and actually hittin paper...their proposal is that anyone can shoot this monster. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz2F8Ru0C64
there is 1 link, cant find the one..i think it was sw vid

Swampdog · 05-04-2010, 02:56 AM

S&W model 657 classic hunter..41 mag ,7 1/2 barrel.Hard to beat .Tell them Mike ....LOL

jrbsr · 05-04-2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt.Man

I was thinking of a .357?

I hunt upstate NY. Most shoots 50 yards and under.

Do I need a 6" barrel or will 4" do?

Thanks
Bill

You might want to go with, a .22 lr.
Until you get used to shooting a hand gun.
To start with, if you start out big, you might develop a flinch.
And go with a 6 inch barrel.
The longer the barrel, the faster the velocity.
JMHO

nchawkeye · 05-04-2010, 03:53 AM

1) What are you hunting???

2) What are your state regulations on barrel length and minimum caliber???