.357 Mag Hunting Sidearm

[lilripper10]

I had read that in order to have a sidearm with you while you are hunting it needs to have 550 lbs energy at 50 yards. This would rule out most .357 mag loadings, but Buffalo Bore has the 180 gr that meets the required energy out of my 4" S&W. Does anyone have any idea if this would be too risky to get into with a Warden? Any information helps!

[cowboykjohnson]

They don't usually care unless you are hunting with the side arm. I carry a 10mm, i've carried a 9mm, a .22, a .45... and the list goes on. While openly wearing many of these I have talked to game wardens, even showed them when asked to "check it out" when talking guns.

[Mtn.man]

Bigger is always better.....LOL

[SSChameleon]

I've gone elk hunting with a retired game warden several times. He always carried at Buckmark 22 and I carried a 22 revolver. I think the requirement has more to do with what you can legally hunt big game with than what you can carry.

[MarkCO]

I've gone elk hunting with a retired game warden several times. He always carried at Buckmark 22 and I carried a 22 revolver. I think the requirement has more to do with what you can legally hunt big game with than what you can carry.

Correct. Remember though, that even a shot in the ear to "finish" an animal must be a legal method of take for the tag and season.

[cowboykjohnson]

Correct. Remember though, that even a shot in the ear to "finish" an animal must be a legal method of take for the tag and season.

This true, but I've talked with many Game Wardens and most don't care what you use to finish... but not all may agree with this. It's at the discretion of the officer.

[sniper7]

always carry a .50 bmg and you are good to go

[cowboykjohnson]

always carry a .50 bmg and you are good to go

Plus you only have half the animal to skin and it falls down gutted and quartered!

[Troublco]

I used to carry my Smith 686 and I had one of the Cor-Bon loads that met the minimum hunting requirements in it; I just put the rest of the box in my hunting pack so if there was any question I could show them the box. I don't know about the Buffalo Bore, but the Cor-Bon has the energy info on the box flap.

Now I carry my G20 with a 6" barrel, and do the same thing.

[llostwolf]

I carry a .22 revolver if i think i can get into some blue/dusky grouse but have carried a smith 19 too. Never been hassled by DOW while hunting big game with either on my hip.