If you had to shoot a Black Bear;

Nevada Ed · Aug 2, 2023

My biggest caliber revolver is just a 357 Magnum.

I have a 158 XTP that will clock 1340fps
or a 158 Lwc that will do 1320fps.

Most hunters go for a lung shot but it would probably take time to drop the bear.

How will either of these two bullets work on a head on charge
with a head shot, if lucky enough, to hit it?

I have heard that bear spray does not always , move the bear out of the area.

I'm too old to turn and run away.

Any advise ?

Spurdann · Aug 2, 2023

I would try and shoot him as close to the truck as possible no matter what caliber I was using;o)

SnidelyWhiplash · Aug 2, 2023

I'd shoot whomever I was with in the knee cap and simply walk away.

ken158 · Aug 2, 2023

A bullet to the brain will drop anything but needing to kill a black bear would be highly improbable unless an attack was because you were between bear and cubs.

Mike SC Hunter · Aug 2, 2023

An Alaskan Indian lady killed one of the biggest bears ever recorded with a .22.

jake1945 · Aug 2, 2023

I only went bear hunting once from a tree stand. My rifle was a Devine,TX M1A loaded with 308 200 grain SP and I carried a 44 mag Ruger on my hip. The bear took 3 chest hits with the 308 and kept coming right to my tree. I finished him off with 4 44 mag rounds. This was back in the early 70's. You decide if a 357 is enough, but remember, bears can run faster than you and can climb trees.

Vtgw938 · Aug 2, 2023

I'd probably take a hardcast SWC if I had the choice. I have lugged a 357 with 158 soft points when around cornfields where the farmer is having nuisance bear problems.

Black bear aren't much of an issue usually, and even when I know I may encounter bear I do not feel I need to have a firearm. Much more worried about my dog tangling with a rabid animal.

Black bear false charge to scare, so you don't want to shoot a bear (assuming out-of-season etc.) just because it is coming your way. So I personally wouldn't try a head shot as you won't have that luxury nor is it a good target under the circumstances. For me, it would be stick the front sight on the chest and use double-action.

These are my opinions & practices in part based on 30+ years as a game warden and literally dealing with bear in my backyard.

And of course a 357 is not the gun of choice, just what you or I probably are likely to have at the time.

THE PILGRIM · Aug 2, 2023

As I have posted - Good Friend Milt shot a treed Black Bear several times with a 357 before it fell. Jicarilla Apache Reservation, Dulce, NM.

stansdds · Aug 2, 2023

357 Magnum for black bear? No hollow points, this is a situation where you want deep penetration. A brain shot is the best bet for a quick bear kill.

375hh1973 · Aug 2, 2023

Spurdann said:
I would try and shoot him as close to the truck as possible no matter what caliber I was using;o)

Respectfully disagree

Further away from a road is less likely to be found

chief38 · Aug 2, 2023

If I was actually setting out to shoot a bear I'd use a 45-70, 12 gauge slug or other high powered cartridge.

That said, if all I had was a .357 magnum, the best cartridge for that task would probably be the Buffalo Bore .357 magnum, 180 grain, hard cast, SWC. It is one smokin' hot load and on Black Bear should absolutely do the trick as long as shot placement is descent.

Bald1 · Aug 2, 2023

Of the 2 choices the OP gives , I’d take the wad cutter.

murphydog · Aug 2, 2023

chief38 said:
If I was actually setting out to shoot a bear I'd use a 45-70, 12 gauge slug or other high powered cartridge.

That said, if all I had was a .357 magnum, the best cartridge for that task would probably be the Buffalo Bore .357 magnum, 180 grain, hard cast, SWC. It is one smokin' hot load and on Black Bear should absolutely do the trick as long as shot placement is descent.

Yes. Do you have a medium bore or larger centerfire rifle, or a large bore shotgun?

Baggy Wrinkle · Aug 2, 2023

Black bears are not bullet proof. I called in a 350 pound bear and my hunting partner dropped it with a single heart-lung shot using a 243 Win shooting a 95 gr SST. Bang, flop. A couple years later we called in a 250 pounder and another partner shot it with a .300 Blackout AR using a 115 gr open tip match bullet. This was a complete pass through and the bear ran about 50 yards before expiring. When not hunting I have encountered black bears hiking and they usually just turn tail and run. The rest have just stood looking, then ambled off.

UNCLE PAULY · Aug 2, 2023

I personally have encountered many black bears while camping in the state & national parks in VA, WV, MD & PA. Never felt threatened and never had a firearm with me.

If you really feel the need, carry a REM 870 or Moss 500 18” 12 ga with 1 oz slugs.

weatherby · Aug 2, 2023

ken158 said:
A bullet to the brain will drop anything but needing to kill a black bear would be highly improbable unless an attack was because you were between bear and cubs.

That's a huge misconception.
Most black bear attacks are from males and you are food.
IIRC it's around 80% from males

Autonomous · Aug 2, 2023

Suggest you focus on penetration. The SWC would probably go deeper than the XTP.
Those big bear spray cannisters actually can help. Just as with your side arm a good, fast access spray holster is crucial.
For example, I use UDAP brand spray and their hard molded holster.

#GGH Griz Guard Holster (Holster Only) (fits 2" canisters 225g & 260g): UDAP Pepper Power

RoyM52 · Aug 2, 2023

I have been charged by a Black Bear.

He got hit by a pick up truck and tore off the oil pan. Totaled the truck {55 or 60 mph} {truck was one week old} 575 pound bear, It was walking and then it would drag some. I tracked him, when he came out at me he was blowing and charging. I used my 444 Marlin with 265 grain Hornady flat point. I didn't carry a back up gun. The game warden that was with me only had a 357, That is why I got a call to come with a rifle and track. It was an interesting day.

I have had mother and cubs in my yard. I heard a strange drumming sound outside the house so went and looked. Two cubs were jumping up and down on the bottom of a canoe I had turned over just outside. Moma was about 10 feet from the door and she ran and left the cubs. They went up a tree in my yard, She just waited out on the road for them to come down. {I went back in the house} I've never really had any problems with Black Bears, even when the acorns are falling and they are in my yard feeding. I did have a big bear slap the ground and wolf at me tho.....it was dark and I hadn't seen him. There were 5 of them and I just told them to be gone when I came out in the morning.....they complied.

I've watched 2 cubs take turns climbing a 6 or 8 foot spruce tree to slide down , scratching their bellies. They are comic to watch. No idea where moma was, never saw her. I didn't get too close or hang around.

diyj98 · Aug 2, 2023

Black bears skulls aren't hard to penetrate. I've seen a number of bears dropped with a 22WMR shot to the head. They weren't charging anyone, but shot out of trees by bear hunters. Your 357 magnum will do just fine.

chief38 · Aug 2, 2023

murphydog said:
Yes. Do you have a medium bore or larger centerfire rifle, or a large bore shotgun?

Sure do. That said, I do use a M65, 3" bbl. with the Buffalo Bore 180 grain HCSWC (.357) when in the woods. It's a great backup and because the K frame is not hard to carry it is always with me. Ideal? Nope - but would get the job done and like I said, it's always with me in the woods.

If you had to shoot a Black Bear;

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