I’ve been doing a lot of camping/hiking in the Smokies lately and want to buy a 4 inch revolver in either .357 mag or 10mm for black bear protection (also have bear spray.) I would be carrying Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast for the .357 or the BB 220 grain 10mm hardcast. To keep things even, I am looking at the Ruger GP100 Match Champion. I also reload for both calibers. Which caliber would you go with and why?

I think .357/.38 gives you an easier and wider range of versatility vs. 10mm/.40. I do very much like the GP100. So yeah me personally GP100 in .357.

That said if this was .357 revolver vs. 10mm auto I am not sure what direction I would go. I am not 10mm guy so to speak but it does kinda shine out of a Glock. Heck I am not even a Glock guy and I am going here.

I’ll go back to taking my meds now.

Cslinger,

Lol, nothing wrong with a 10mm Glock, but I just want the revolver.

Nothing really wrong with a Ruger GP100, but consider an 8-shot S&W N frame.

I'd say it comes down to how you feel about moon clips. There's some logistic simplicity in sticking with rimmed revolver cartridges for revolvers...but moon clips can make for faster reloads and enhanced versatility (the ability to shoot .40 S&W out of your 10mm, for example).

I'm honestly not sure what I'd do. It sounds like you are already reloading for both, so that's not a factor. My 4" .357 GP100 is a sweetheart, but my buddy really loves his 3" 10mm. I don't think you can really go wrong here.

quote:

Originally posted by drummerguy73:
Cslinger,

Lol, nothing wrong with a 10mm Glock, but I just want the revolver.

Absolutely. Sorry I was thinking out loud not trying to be that guy with an out of left field suggestion.

I am totally in the .357 GP100 camp. Like was said, its just easier to deal with sans moon clips and I think you will find a wider range of versatility.

Besides its really rare to have a prolonged gunfight with a bear that would require the speed of ejection and loading that 10mm on moon clips would provide. I mean sure some of them will return fire and go all in for a firefight but thats rare with bears. Now badgers…………thats a whole different story.

The 10MM and 357 have about the same advertised ft-lbs of energy in those offerings from Buffalos.. Grizzly bears kill to protect a carcass or their young. Black bears kill you to eat you. The choice is obvious to me and that would be a six inch Glock in 10mm. You get a 170 ft-lb increase in energy over the 180gr load and more rounds on board at about the same weight.
But if it's just an excuse for a new revolver (I can understand that) and it's between the two mentioned it would be whatever I could find as there's no clear cut choice other than the philosophy that bigger holes are better for killing stuff.

If it's between a 357 GP100 and a 10mm GP100 I'd go with the 10mm for the heavier bullets and moon clips.

Doesn't address your question exactly, but I have a 4" bbl. revolver in .357 Mag and a Gov't 1911 in 10mm. The latter is my current woods carry.

As an aside: I realize you're not interested in a bottom-feeder, but I was literally amazed at how manageable full-load 220 gr. hard cast rounds were out of that 1911.

Any revolver can be cut for moonclips. Don’t let that stop you from getting a 357. As for 10mm vs 357 for bears, beats me. I certainly prefer the versatility of the 357/38 over 10mm/40.

I’d be more inclined to take a 3-4” 357 revolver. For that location I’d be content with a higher round count 40 S&W, Underwood ammo or similar.

I don’t think bear are a high threat there.

I'm biased in favor of the Ruger GP100.

May I suggest the 5" version with a Diamond D Custom Leathers Guides Choice chest holster. It's one sweet combination. As an added benefit, if/when you also get a GP100 in .22lr and a GP100 in .357Mag in 4.2" and a 3" GP100 in .357Mag, they'll also carry easily in the same chest rig. The versatility is a lot of fun. And yes, even the 4.2" SP101 in .22lr can also do duty in the same chest holster.

It won't fit in the chest rig, but, a Henry All Weather in .357Mag is a wonderful companion to the revolvers.

Not part of the question but, this is a Sig forum, so: add in a P239 in .357Sig with an factory 8 round magazine in a belt holster and yes sir, you'll be 'loaded for bear.'

Either one will be great. 357/38 is very versatile and ammunition availability is something to consider.

Ruger GP100 in .357 with a couple of speed loaders.

One word ~ Dan Wesson

It’s probably going to be easier to find a wider range of ammo for the .357 than they 10mm, but really either would do the job. I do think a .357 mag revolver is a staple of any gun collection but I really love my 10mm GP100.

Just FYI if you buy the Ruger it will shoot .40 too, but not reliably with the factory moon clips. The manual even says that. TK Customs makes .40 moon clips for the Ruger though that I have had 100% reliability with.

quote:

Originally posted by photohause:
One word ~ Dan Wesson

That’s two words. Neither of which really answer the question in the OP.

I like both S&W and Ruger platforms but tend to side with the Ruger guns. I prefer the cylinder release more so with Ruger, as it is very easy to operate out of the box without having to change any parts on other guns,especially for beginners. It has a more natural position and movement for me. The GP100 is a great revolver and very solid. You can load it hotter than most revolvers and it can take the punishment. As far as caliber, that is up to you but the 357 magnum is a staple. Ammo is easier to find compared to 10mm, at least in my neck of the woods but if you reload, it doesn't mean much.

The .357 and 10MM are so ballistically similar, that I don't think you can go wrong. In normal times, obviously there is more ammo selection in .357. But right now, it's ugly trying to obtain factory ammunition for either.

I'd had single action and double action 10MM revolvers before, and have been a 10MM fan since the cartridge was introduced. I bought the GP100 in 10MM. Not because it's better than the .357 version, but just because I have other .357s, and like the 10MM...

Which gun/caliber is available to you in these trying times? I know Buffalo Bore has both 357 and 10 outdoorsman in stock so that won’t be an issue.

Ballistically, they are similar.
You don’t want an auto so that leaves which caliber is available to you for purchase.

Someone else touched on the higher capacity of the Glock in 10...& that’s the way I’d go but I see you want another revolver. I already have a 4”S&W in 357 so in my case I’d just carry that.

Of your two choices I would go 10mm. Bigger and heavier bullets give more energy and penetration which would be key on a bear.

Since you mentioned reloading, I’d expand my choice to the 44 special GP 100. Nothing beats a 250gr Keith bullet.