🐻Dangerous Animal Protection?💥💥 .357 Mag VS 10mm VS .44 Mag💥💥 

VERY IMPORTANT, read this before you watch! I get the "limp wrist" comment nearly daily in one video or another with this pistol, but from people who haven't a clue what they are talking about, so I urge you not to jump to conclusions. Most of the issue with malfunctions is the feed ramp, the Lone Wolf AlphaWolf CONVERSION barrel I use has a very thin feed ramp, not wide and loose chamber like a stock Glock feed ramp/chamber. Also, in this video I was not using a 10mm extractor in the conversion, so that didn't help. If you still do not believe me, I did a study of all of the hollow point ammo tests I did with this Glock 41 pistol in both the stock and the conversion setup. Why this is important is because I tested SEVERAL .45 ACP+P rounds that were well over the typical energy level of 10mm, as well as at or above typical 10mm bullet weight, and I never once had a jam in those rounds. Here is the study of just the Glock 41 portion: Glock 41 (.45 ACP) Shots Fired: 93 Malfunctions: 1 Malfunction Rate: 1.1% Glock 41 (10mm Conversion) Shots Fired: 102 Malfunctions: 23 Malfunction Rate: 22.5%

I used the .44 mag for several years in grizzly country. The older I got, the less accurate I was in multiple firings. I blame it on the 44's recoil. I went back to the .357 mag. The reasoning was that I could put more lead into the animal with the better control. Yes, I use Buffalo Bore. I might also add, depending on the situation (like accompanying my son on his elk hunt), I often carry a 12 gauge with slugs and prefer this combo over any handgun on a grizzly.

I love revolvers cause I can clear a failure to feed or stove pipe just by pulling the trigger again 😎😳🤣✌💥

When it comes to large critters in the wilderness I would go with either of the 357 magnum or the 44 magnum. Yes when it comes to large animals in the sticks I would prefer a revolver

You can’t go wrong with the.357. Hunting, or self defense, the.357 can do the job. The same with the.10mm , as long as you have the right platform and ammunition to fire it from. The .44 magnum also a good performer with the right ammunition. I would probably go with the .357 for its versatility.

Hardcast rules for sure. I like the HSM Bearload 200gr in 357.

This video shows why a revolver in the back country is always a better option. When a dangerous animal is charging, you don’t have time to think about a jam.

Thanks for this comparison between these heavy hitters. As an owner of .357 magnum revolvers I'm pleased to see your positive results. I've mentioned this before but my first personal handgun was a Colt Trooper .357 magnum that I purchased for boarding parties in Vietnam.

No, no. For killer rabbits you use the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. :-p

Your 10 mm makes me happy that I have a Ruger 357mag with a 6-inch barrel. Always goes bang. The 6-inch barrel gives me a little more velocity and longer site radius.

The winner in this test was the old and venerable 357 mag. What a wondeful round made by BB. Just awesome. 10mm was also an incredible contender. Lots of power and penetration but in a dangerous scenario I would use a revolver any day vs semi auto (ruger, S&W and some others make excellent 10mm revolvers) And finally the 44 mag showed the tremendous power factor but also heavy recoil: You need to be Mr Miculek to use properly heavy loads in a 44 mag. :-) Thanks a lot for the vid.

I think I would go with the .357 also, plenty enough power and quicker follow up shots which comes in handy when dispatching a charging big game bologna pack!

And this is why I count on the 44mag. A 10mm is not as reliable as a revolver in not needing rounds matched to recoil springs or feed ramps. Also this applies to guard dogs!

Your passion for everything you do is amazing!

We live here in Wyoming and when we go for a walk in the boonies, I carry nothing but Buffalo Bore ammo! .357 Mag, to be exact. Their 180 grain hard cast flat point gas checked round at 1400 fps gives me 783 ft/lbs energy, and far superior penetration to anything a 10mm can deliver. I'm working on getting a .44 mag and will carry Buffalo Bore rounds in that, as well. We have our share of critters here in Wyoming with teeth, claws and power and we love 'em all, but not wanting to get eaten, we protect ourselves! God bless!

Just found your channel. Love your great ammo review. 👍🇺🇸

The .44 magum was the clear winner. With penetration being approximately equal, you have to consider how much energy was delivered to the target. The .44 magnum generates considerably more energy.

As I’m watching your videos I’m really appreciating my Ruger Security six more and more. I really got the security six just to plink with learn and get comfortable with reloading & casting. But now I’m starting to think this revolver is a real SHTF deal. From what I’m seeing yeah you only have 6 shots but those 6 shots are extremely reliable and extremely devastating.

Story time. I carry the same load in my 6" GP100 357 mag. I actually had a serious encounter with a roughly 200lb mother black bear with 3 cubs 4yrs ago. I was deer hunting with my son trying to get him his first buck. He was carrying my 243. Anyway we sat next to a ravine/creek. We saw the bear and 3 cubs in tow traveling up the ravine. Wouldn't you know it she came out and up exactly where we were sitting,,couldn't of walked by of course,,....She was less than 10ft. face to face with us. Ears back, teeth clacking, making low woofing sounds. She was not backing off. I grabbed the rifle and had it aimed at her head, but with a scope I was just pointing it at that range. Even if she charged and I fired chances are I would of shot over her as fast as they can charge. Luckily I jumped up and yelled and fired the rifle in the ground and she retreated, and the cubs all went up the nearest trees..lol!..Lesson learned to carry my revolver at all times up in my deer woods. As a last resort my handgun on my side could be utitilized if the bear had actually attacked and gotten on top of me..The rifle would of been useless at that point in my scenario. Been carrying that revolver up there ever since. She is still happily living in my woods..sidenote it was the last day of black bear as well but i didn't have a tag. Of course other guys first words..You should of shot it I would of tagged it....smh...that guys luckily isn't on my property anymore..Thanks for the upload..

. 357 still holds up for versatility. I do not think you could have pulled a hip shot with the .44 as you did with the .357. Also what you said in general about reliability about revolvers, as to why they are still used. Liked your demonstration.

Interesting, not the outcome I anticipated. Thanks for experimenting and the ride along.👍🏽

Another great video! Lots o penetration with those hard cast projectiles, impressive. Keep the 44 mag stuff coming.

Thanks for doing this! I've been waiting on a .357 mag, 10mm Buffalo boar test. I thought the .357 mag would outclass the 10mm, but it was closer than I would have guessed. Awesome!

180 grn 357 all you need brother, great vid keep up the good work, and God bless!

I really like your practical application ballistic tests. I carry a 4.2" 7 shot GP-100 in a Kenai chest rig loaded with Underwood 180 gr. hard cast on most outings into the bush. I did my own head to head testing with Buffalo Bore and the Underwood ammo always edges out BB by a narrow margin. That might be an interesting video. A hard cast shootout. In Griz country, I step up to my SRH Toklat loaded with Underwood 325 gr. hard cast .45 Colt +P. I get around 1300 FPS and 1200 ft. lbs. with this round. I am much more accurate with .45 Colt than I am with the .454 Casull version. Thanks for producing very useful videos.

357 best revolver, agreed for general protection of dangerous game IMO

I recently started training with and carrying my Ruger Police Service Six for many reasons, despite acquiring it as a "collectors" item as mine was made the same year I was born, yet sat in a safe its entire life until I acquired it. She's perfect. Over the years, collecting .38 special, .38 special +p, and .357 magnum rounds, with the current state of affairs ammunition-wise, It only makes sense to me.

In a revolver the 357 is my favorite round and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for dangerous game. However in semiautomatic handguns the 10mm hands down is my favorite. And again I wouldn't hesitate to use it for dangerous game. But I feel the 45 win mag would be an amazing choice. I enjoy your videos.

All I can say is, its a hell of a waste of bologna 😎 .44Mt Mag, 240 gr solids ,you can never have to much power, when facing danger ! Great vid thx👌

Great test! Been waiting for something like that. The bottom line to me is a hard cast flat nose at 1200 FPS will work if the bullet is placed right. I carry the 180 grain BB in both my 4 inch Colt Python & my 3 inch Ruger SP101. It was really good to see both the chronograph readings & penetration tests! In my S&W 2.5” PC 629 .44 mag. I have been carrying BB Heavy 255 grain SWC .44 specials. I will now try some of those BB .44 mag loads that you tested. Never quite trusted a semi for a dangerous game back up. I have read to many accounts of the handgun barrel being buried in the animal with the hunter/ hiker pinned to the ground. Hard to beat a revolver!

I did a test like this, including the rounds you ran (except for the .357 Magnum), and I was shocked that my .357 Sig handloads, consisting of a 125gr flat point FMJ at 1,550fps and a 147gr flat point FMJ at 1,400fps gave the most penetration of all, beating even the 10mm. That is what my wife and I carry now when fishing in grizzly/mountain lion/black bear/wolf country in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

I appreciate this comparison. Thanks! I live in Idaho and fly fish in areas bears and cougars roam. Since I’m in and from time to time fall in the water, is there a problem with any of these getting wet and still performing? Also will be holstering at the chest and I’m a left handed. How’s that for a combination?!

I choose the 357 Magnum, mainly because I already have a couple, but also because I don’t really appreciate anything that recoils harder than that. That said, I had fired a friend’s S&W 629 Performance Center four inch with a comp. Even with 240 grain magnums, the comp made the recoil feel not much worse than a stout 357. Nothing wrong with the 10mm, but just not that interesting to me at the moment. Excellent and informative video.

I like the 'animal/dangerous game' bologna pack! The carpet is a nice touch! The 44mag 255gr hard cast keith load by buffalo bore is what i carry in my S&W 329pd! Its the limit on what my hand can handle in that gun. Lol

👍 yes I agree the 357magnum won this contest and thank you this is one of your best reviews..taking all into consideration power, accuracy, recoil, follow up shots the 357 would seem to be your best choice to survive an attack! However an Underwood 10mm 220 grain hard cast from a reliable 6 inch pistol is almost unbeatable for protection against (lions, tigers, and bears Oh! My) but it has to be Proven reliable.... my yeahbut is in reality a head shot from any of these will drop anything on the continent.

Thanks for the test. Exactly what I was looking for.

I have been waiting for a test like this. Thank you so much for doing it. The only other round I would have like to have seen compared would be the buffalo bore .45acp 255grain hard cast. I live in MT and grizzlies are always a concern and for a few years I carried that in my 1911 because that is what I had. Then I got the S&W 66 and now carry that with the 180gr Buffalo Bore you tested here. But almost everyone I see seems to be carrying the Glock 20 and it had me wondering if I should make the change to 10mm. After watching this I feel much better about my .357. Thanks!!

All hail to the king! .357

The over the jugs shot was really cool!

I have a stock G20SF and have experienced the exact same issue as you did with yours when firing hardcast bullets. I moved to Underwood's Xtreme Hunter rounds instead, and have never had a failure. They feed just like ball. I'd love to see you do the test again with each handgun using one of these modern hunting/defense rounds.

Great comparison. I'm a .357 mag guy, but I also love my 44.

This was a good one Sam...glad to see you still making vids....357 is my choice too!

I have no experience with 10mm, but .357&.44mag pretty much have my full confidence...(so far as leaving an impression on whatever the target happens to be)

I have been holding on to the 357 mag Outdoorsman for about 3 years now always super curious how it would perform. Looks like it did its job perfect. Great video thanks a lot Sam

It looks like the .44 is a S&W 69. It would have been interesting to compare it with a 629 for recoil management.

Dont want a jam when the heats on. Big revolver for me!

Really depends on how each bullet reacts after shooting the first layer of the target, how much it begins tumbling etc.

Rundown of my velocity compared to Buffalo Bore's rated velocity: The 357 Magnum- test gun 4-inch S&W L frame Mt. Gun 1,375 FPS, (my velocity from a 4" S&W 686 1,387 FPS). The 10mm Auto- test gun Colt Delta Elite 5-inch barrel 1,175 FPS Para Ordnance 1911 with Nowlin 5-inch barrel 1,201 FPS, (my velocity with 5.3" barrel G41 Conversion 1,226 FPS). The .44 Magnum- test gun 4" S&W 329 PD 1,254 FPS (my velocity with 4.25" S&W model 69 1,251 FPS).

I love the 10mm and use a S & W 610 for big animal protection. It seems to have less recoil than the .44 mag. Where I live the .357 mag makes the most sense. I did carry the 10mm on my trip to Alaska. You might want to consider getting a 610 or Ruger revolver chambered in 10mm for testing.

Great video. My first gun was a 6” Model 686. That’s what I would have with me. I have a Model 29 as well but under stress I’d rather have the 686. Could get off more shots with better accuracy I think.

Wow… you put a lot of work into that. Thanks!

With the price of ammo these days, revolvers just got even more practical.

That’s why you don’t hunt werewolves with a Glock, stick to the revolver, just ask Yankee Marshal he knows all about that 🤣

Great test, what fun. Love the idea of the charging beast test, but if it were me I would likely be shooting as I ran away. You can imagine the result

Even though I'm a revolver guy, I'm going to say that a good 10mm that's reliable and with high capacity might be the best option. It's a tough call though. The 357 is second, but only if you have a 7 or 8 round cylinder. Being attacked by a wild animal will give you little time to react and cause you to panic, so having higher capacity to counter the mistakes involved in that will help tremendously. Third is the 44 mag. Only 6 rounds causes an issue with being effective against predatory animals. You only have a short time to make effective shots, especially if you were stalked and pounced upon. 44 mag is probably the best option against a kodiak or a grizzly bear, because it has enough power and weight to crack open the skull, but considering all the wild animals that can attack you, the other guns will probably be better because of capacity. Just my thoughts on the matter.

Any questions why I carry a S&W 686 w/4 inch barrel? It does everything to a high degree of competence, or just plain excellence.

Awesome test. All three are great calibers. I would tend to agree that the 357 won this test, if for no other reason than it was probably a little cheaper to buy than the other two. The ballistic performance was surprisingly similar but I think the jug or not shows that the 44 magnum is in a class of its own. I feel like that particular load was middle of the road for power for a 44 and the 357 and 10mm were pretty high end for caliber, and it clearly did more damage, even out of a 4” barrel. As far as accuracy goes the 10 looked better on paper but I feel like that was more to do with the gun malfunctions than anything. On the “charge”test the 357 was the clear winner. Good test. I have 4” 686+ and 69 too. I love them. Keep it up. I look forward to more test involving the model 69 especially.

Try Garrett Cartridges of Texas 44 magnum 300 grain bullet made for 4 inch barrel revolvers.

Excellent work sir!

I really enjoyed this test. Thank you. Any chance you will be testing the 9mm Outdoorsman Ammo in your dangerous game set-up?

My first six gun was the S&W Mountain Gun 44magnum. For dangerous game with BBore or Underwood ...for dangerous humans 44 special. Cannot be beat in the city or the country. In real world you would not use less recoil 44 Mag.

Nice. I carry a 7 round 357 loaded with Federal Big Game 180grainl JHP for black bear. A momma with cubs can be aggressive, and it's strictly for defense in the event of an attack. Have you made a video with those rounds?

Great review! You have come this far go all the way with some .45 Super and some .450 SMC. Economical Glock conversion.

Looks fun!!! I wish I had a place I could do a test like this.

That would suck standing there in front of a changing Bear 🐻 with a jammed up Glock. 🥶😟

Very nice presentation. I’m glad I subbed.

A very, very cool test. Thanks.

Very cool! Thanks for making the videos. Someday I'll have s backyard range

Is it true that Glock factory barrels advise against hard-cast bullets?

Dangerous game had some tiny heads. 😉 In reality that cardboard is about the size of a Grizzly's head. If you could get the 10mm running reliably it would be the best to me. I love .44 magnum but the recoil is too punishing for me. I usually shoot .44 special in my .44 magnum. Keep up the good work.

Lighter rounds are prone to tumble. For .44 mag hardcast, I'd go with a heavy grain at least 255 grain and 300 if your handgun will do it. I've seen demonstrations with those going into douglas fir boards with no tumble (went through 8 2" boards - impressive). I actually used to carry a .357 S&W Model 66 snub nose as my woods gun but felt it was a bit light against large black bears (400+ lbs). I upgraded to .44 mag and use 255-305gr hardcast WFN-GC. I found my .44 mag has very manageable recoil (Taurus M44SS 4") and I'm not a big guy/middle-aged man. I've never known anyone to die from recoil anyway, lol - always make that first shot count. People say if you miss the first shot, well 99% of the time if you miss the first shot the second is going to be 5X's as rushed and just as prone to a miss as the first. That's how I see it but go with the gun you are most comfortable with.

Always a good and interesting video. Looks like all of those would the job and then some! Thanks for sharing and take care.

great video. i like my .357 180 gr for dangerous game. but was told you need 10mm, or 44 mag, which i have the .44mag but on second shots,not too accurate. thanks for this video.

When you absolutely positively have to stop it - accept no substitute!!!!

Another great video!

Another great video, thanks.

That's why I don't like or carry semi-autos, I love my revolvers.

.44 Mag🏴‍☠️

That was the closest test I have seen for a grizzly bear defensive shooting. I was planning on getting a single action 44mag. But, might go with a S&W 629. I would take that and my Henry carbine 44mag into the woods. Even though I would only encounter black bear.

So here's my question: whats the best semi-auto that isn't a 10mm? I submit 357 sig with Underwood FMJ. They load one with Montana Gold fmj bullets, which are brass jacket over a linotype-like lead core. Thoughts?

Love this comparison. I was surprised buy the 10mm penatration . I know that the 41 mag is not a popular round but I'm guessing it will out perform the 44 mag with less recoil. But who knows for sure. Thanks for the video. Best

I was impressed with that 357( my favorite and most accurate caliber)----I value your thoughts ....I picked up some Hornady 147 XTP 9mm...I never re-loaded or shot 147as I use 124 but things are hard to find so I took them ...do you have any recipes for them...many thanks ...stay safe and free

Interesting video. Impressive. Ok, so, I have a 90s made American Arms single action 44 magnum that I understand was made by uberti back then. It’s in excellent shape. So, will it handle those low recoil Buffalo bores? Or should I stick with tried and true Keith load?

If anything this video made a great case for a revolver. Last thing you need in a dangerous animal encounter is an ammo finicky semi auto.

That particular 10mm pistol makes me very happy with my .44Sp revolver!

My glock 20 also jams with that same load, even with a 20lb guide rod spring. I carry 180 grain xtp handloads at 1300 fps.

Any problems with hardcast fouling of your barrels?

Outstanding job!

Interesting. Thanks. I carry a Springfield 10mm loaded with Underwood Xtreme Penetrators into the woods with me but have been considering a .357 lately. I've been thinking I likely won't need 15 rounds of 10mm. 7 rounds of .357 would prolly be plenty and I wouldn't have to worry about jams or the slide going out of battery if for some crazy reason the gun is pressed against the bear.

also, regarding 10 mm feeding problems they are irrelevant, after all this was a conversion gun.....the results otherwise are pretty good.

Thanks for another good and informative video. I think condition of the shooter is also a factor to consider. I am old and cannot shoot the big bore pistols and auto guns quickly and accurately any more. A good .357 is about my limit . A good pump shotgun with rifled slugs is my trail buddy for the past decade or so.

For bears and cats here in Montana my dad carries a Colt Anaconda stainless 4 inch with 240 grain hard cast at 1300 fps. I opt for the 45 Colt with a 250 gr Laser Cast bullet at 1100 fps. Both are a hand full recoil wise but penetration is awesome. I know the 45 Colt load killed a heavy bodied 250 lb buck at 50 yards. The bullet broke both shoulders and kept on going , it landed in Idaho perhaps, lol.

.357 for the win. Best overall handgun round

I was impressed by the penetration you achieved with all 3 calibers. I have a glock model 40 with a 6 inch barrel and slide. I also have a 4 inch S&W 629. I believe that the flat noses of the 10mm ammo may be the cause of your gun having feeding issues. One viewer did suggest heavier recoil springs. You did increase the strength of your spring and saw no improvement. The feed ramp might be to rough or to narrow for that bullet design. I have not shot Buffalow Bore ammo in my guns as it seems to not be available here but the ammunition I have fired on my 10mm glock is a truncated cone shape which does have a flatter nose than some hollow points and it has fed them reliably. Another viewer brought up using lead ammo in glocks. Yes glock warns against lead bullets in their guns. Buffalo Bore uses hard cast bullets which are less likely to cause leading in a glock. Your gun is a conversion. Is the barrel in your glock a glock barrel or aftermarket one? A glock barrel has polygonal rifling which leads up with normal lead bullets. Most aftermarket barrels have standard rifling that do not lead as easily as a polygonaly rifled barrel. The video was a fun to watch presentation and does show that if you plan on using a semiauto handgun you do need to test it first for reliable functioning before relying on it to save your life if you should be attacked by either animal or man.

gd vid as always. just got a tracker 357 a few mo back. i live in w.va and was wondering what load to carry in the woods... found it lol!!

Great vid , no jam with my 686 Smith and Wesson 4" , Carry's well and never fails with buffalo bore ,hits likes sledgehammer.

357 4”

The only dangerous game I am likely to encounter while armed is in Philadelphia.

Awesome test

In this test I think I’d prefer the 10mm because I liked the penetration and it hold more rounds so when high stress situations if you miss a few your not reloading. Great video 👍🏼