I like my .357's, 6" L-Frame and 2 1/2" Model 19. I have other calibers also. Some people say the .357 is ok for deer, others say it's not quite enough gun. I carry either one while "in the woods" as I figure the chance of a man eating bear in KS/MO is pretty remote. If I were to carry one of then where there are bigger worries I may ask myself, "did I bring enough gun" and be second guessing myself the whole time. The .357 is a powerful and formidable gun, but what are some of it's uses? I think I would feel safe in the mountains with it, if we took grizzlies in MT and WY out of the equation. I am assuming it is enough gun for mountain lion??

Mountain lions are actually very easy to kill, I wouldn't feel under gunned with a hot 9MM or 38 when it comes to mountain lions.

deer, small to medium black bear and hogs I think are good 357 mag game.

I will say the only animal I have ever shot with a 357 is a armadillo, and that was with a CCW snub nose while deer hunting.

Sometimes a "woods gun" doesn't have to be "deadly", just noisy. I wouldn't want to bank on this idea, but sometimes, it works.

my number one reason for carrying a "woods gun" isn't for animals. Meth labs are everywhere

I can be noisy without a gun but I would not want to bank on that idea either.

Folks still carry them up here and many a bear has been killed by the 357.Hitting the target where you aim is very important and better than hitting four inches from where you aimed with a bigger gun.

I would agree. Don't underestimate the little magnum ;-)