[Specter]

There are packs of wild dogs roaming around the areas where I go fishing. Most of them are about the size of our dog at home: 24 inches at the shoulder 80-97 pounds. I've found some pretty impressive photos by members of another forum showing the round punching holes through steel computer cases(not the flimsy CPU cases I'm talking about heavy server cases) I've also found a supplier of 357 Sig ammo that's loading a little hotter than Remington and Winchester brands.

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...products_id=79

Will this round be good for stopping wild dogs? I've also had Mountian Lions come up to the house we stay at while up north. Pretty far out before anyone else can come out to help if it decides to stake-out the house. I know if I'm out in the woods I won't see it unless it pounces on me but if I see it first will the 357 Sig do the job? I'm in CA. so I have 10+1 to blaze away with.

[BattleRifleG3]

Sounds like a decent choice, I'd consider a 10mm if ammo cost weren't a big issue.

[dave375hh]

The .357SIG was and is designed to be the equal of a 125 gr .357 mag out of a 4" revolver. My Loads with Power Pistol and 124gr Golddots are going 1420 fps. The use of heavier bullets in the revolver pull it ahead of the Sig but not by much. The reason this .357 Mag, 125gr JHP was picked as the goal was the "One Shot stop" Data gathered from police shootings. The 125 gr .357 had an 88% one shot stop rating that was higher than anything else in the test. The famous Speer 200 gr "flying ashtray" JHP .45 ACP was an 84% stopper.
The 125 JHP should work just fine on 80-90 lb Dogs. If you think you need more penitration use the Hornady 125 TC FMJ loads.

[lefty o]

doubletap makes good stuff.

[Specter]

Even for the Mountain lions? From what I understand they can range in weight anywhere from 80-230 pounds. If for whatever reason I had to shoot one 10 times with said round would it do anything besides piss it off?

I've seen the scratch marks on trees, cars and patio decks. Would this mostly be like shooting at a tank with spit-wads?

[BORIS]

I carry a SIG P226 in good ole 9mm for dog protection. Winchester Ranger 127 +P+ are my usual carry round, but I feel just as easily safe with Hornady 124 TAP. I will be out 'chuckin tomorrow and I will have the Hornadys loaded in my sidearm.

The Winchester 127 grain +P+ puts the 9mm right at the 357 SIGs level and It has brought down large animals very reliably. Just about any deep penetrating expanding bullet should be fine.

[Theodore]

The Sig (357) will definitely do the job. Even with factory ammo (gold dot)

[toolman]

The .357 Sig is basically a .357 Mag in a smaller package. Seeing as the .357 Mag is one of the best loads ever invented for stopping similar-sized game (aka humans) I would trust it implicitly. If you are still concerned, a Taurus Mountain Gun in any caliber from .41 Mag up to .500 S&W will ease your fears significantly.

[Calvin]

Shot placement is what counts. There's 3 verified stories of 700+ pound bears taken with a single .22 (at point-blank range, mind you). So the whole thing comes down to you hitting a vital area with whatever you're shooting.
There are so many stories about 9mm's working where 12 gauges didn't, where a .22 did the job but the .38 Special failed and so on.
The SIG should do the job for you as long as you can hit what you aim at in a crisis.
A mountain lion almost on you is no time to question your marksmanship abilities or your confidence in taking care of buisness.
Remember that "a hit with a .22 beats a miss with a .44"......