Hi! New to the forum. I have been bowhunting exclusively for the last 25 years but want to start gun hunting with a group of buddies. Instead of shotgun hunting (illinois) i would rather pistol hunt. Given my limited knowledge i am looking at the Taurus Tracker .357 and the Smith and Wesson Model 686 .357. I want to plink a little and try to introduce my daughters to it so that's why i am looking at the .357 - so i can sometimes shoot the .38. Just wandering if anyone has any thoughts on these two guns or any other tips????? Also thinking about an ultra dot down the road, but will probably go with open sights the first year. Thanks guys for any input!!!!

Don't know much about the two you mentioned, but don't forget about ruger's gp100, sp101 (new one that comes with fiber optics) and the blackhawk. The fist two are double action.

Oh and welcome, ask any questions, the guys here are great!

Welcome to HH! I don't have any personal experience with either of the two you mentioned, but if I was going to choose between the two, I would definitley go with the Smith. Although my first choice of calibers would not be the 357; it will work within bow ranges. I would suggest one in 44mag. You can also shoot 44 special in it; as 38 special in the 357. Eventually you'll want to start handloading, and the 44 is way more versitile. If you're not handloading; there's way more factory options for the 44.

Just my two cents.

First of all, "Hello" and welcome to the forum. There is a lot of advice here on any topic. The Tracker is very light and with heavier loads for hunting, recoil can get pretty stiff quick, even with the ported barrel. The 686 is built like a tank and will help in the heavy load department. A 686 with a 6 inch barrel would give you a good platform to begin with either scoped or with iron sights. This is just my opinion and you will have to get the gun you feels will suit your needs. Happy hunting... BG

Hello. I too would suggest a .44. The pistols will weigh about the same amount in .44 as in .357. As far as wich gun I'd go for a Ruger or a S&W.

Thanks for the replies and the welcomes gentlemen, I really appreciate the input. Thinking long term, maybe i will just have to invest in both the 357 and 44! No rules against having more than 1 I hope!!

Of course not!

The more, the merrier.

I would also suggest looking at the GP100 for a 357 at first. And when ready for more horsepower, the Super Redhawk is the same size but for the bore. My GeeP serves as plinker for her big bro:

Given you're a bow hunter I think a 357 would be fine if you hunt just like you had your bow. If you want to be able to reach out a little farther without going all the way to a 44 then a 41 Magnum would be a good round to start with. S&W makes the model 57 classic or you could go with a Ruger single action. There are occasionally hunter models out there too.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=289629863

Welcome ILHunter!

And don't worry, some of us here are also bowhunters!

Hello and welcome ILhunter. You just got a little taste of the information and knowledge that you can get here on this site.
Keep on coming back, and owning two hunting handguns won't be a stretch. Fair Warning: it's addictive.

Hello and Welcome! I was a bowhunter myself till I found handgun hunting. Now I don't own a single piece of archery equipment-- sold it all to buy handgun stuff!

Just wanted to throw this part in as food for thought concerning the 357 and 38 idea you spoke of...

I started with a 460 smith and wesson so I could shoot the 45 colt, 454, and 460. However, through the help of the guys on here, I have learned that it is best to shoot the one the gun is made for. Meaning shoot the 460 out of the 460, shoot 454 out of a different gun made for the 454, and so on. Accuracy is sacraficed if ya try to do to much with one gun.

As long as you don't expect the same accuracy when shooting the 38's as you do the 357's, you will probably be happy with it. Just don't get to frustrated if your groups aren't as tight with the 38's. My 460 shot best when shooting 460. 454 was less accurate, and 45 colt was even less.

Also, might I add considering a 22? It is a LOT of fun, cheap to shoot, and a GREAT teacher on the proper mechanics. That being said, I would second the vote for a .41 or .44, and throw in a 22 also!

SEE... Now ya got two guns already!!! :-)

Welcome!! If your two choices are between the Taurus and the S&W my advice would be to go with the Smith. They have been building quatlity revolvers for a LONG time. If your open to other brand suggestions then I would recomend (like many others) you take a hard look at what Ruger has to offer. They build tough, hard use handguns. In terms of caliber....since you are a bowhunter you understand limits. Like the bow, the 357 has them and they are about the same as your bow. That said the 357 has alot going for it. Its a great caliber for the beginner in my opinion. Easy to master the recoil. Handy to buy quality ammo over the counter. Cheap to practice with. raptortrapper gave some very good advice that I will echo here.....consider the 22lr. If you dont have a 22 handgun they are alot of fun and VERY cheap to shoot. They also open up your ability to hunt small game in the off season. Its great practice for big game and also a fun and rewarding experience.

Howdy and welcome aboard!!

I really can’t add anything that hasn’t been added… LOL My best suggestion is do what is best for YOU and go from there… Just remember that this is an addicting sport, and we do offer a support group here at HH… Muwahahahaha

I handgun hunt in your great state of IL usually during the 1st 3-day season and have a blast--literally. I started out with the cannons (.500 & .460) and with the .460 made my longest kill on a Pike Co. alfalfa field @ 175 yards, laying on top of a round bale of hay with a bull bag. I have since began to down-size and enjoy hunting from my lock-ons with one of my .44s using a stick rest. Just like bowhunting except the shots can be alot longer. So there's my advice to add to the great advice you have already received--when hunting with a handgun, don't be Clint Eastwood. Use some type of rest!

I would vote for the smith over the Taurus also.

Welcome! Of the two revolvers you mentioned, I prefer the Smith.

I owned a Taurus and it shot great, very accurate. But if you want quality, i would definitely go with the Smith.

welcome. i would also vote for the smith. only 357 i have is a 4in ruger gp100 and have done deer out to 60yards(iron sights) with a cast 150grain hollow point deer.

That's pretty darn impressive.

ILHunter,

Welcome to the forum! As others have pointed out, your bowhunting past will certainly help you with the "limitations" of handgun hunting. There are a bunch of options for you to consider for straight-walled cartridges to comply with IL regs...from .357 on up! Some of the larger calibers may serve you better and be more versatile in the long run, plus the capability to plink with reduced loads, but like many of the other members here, "need" has long been superceded by "want". But the 357 will get it done.

Of the two guns you previously mentioned, I vote for the 686 - I have an unscoped 6" gun that I've shot for some time, and I like it so much that this 8 3/8" happened to find it's way to my FFL last week...no good photos yet, but here's a glimpse before I can get a family photo together.

Dur....Dur.....Dur.....You have strayed.....

What can I say, KRal...I am weak.

But in my defense, the good deal caveat definitely came into effect on this one!

I dont own a 357 mag but out at the range I had the oppurtunity to shoot a guys 686 Smith and it sure was a sweet shooting gun,made me want one.Alot of people say they are too small but the best bet is the feelas that have done so.

I have a 6 inch Smith and Wesson model 28 highwaypatrolman N frame that shoots as well as any of my handguns 357,10mm, or 44. And you can find em in shops or at gunshows for about 400 bucks.