340PD for bear protection

[Joe4d]

I have a 2.75 inch 386 I got to carry in parks in VA, where bears are out of control. I shoot pins with a larger 357 and carry it with similar loads. 180 gr hard cast flat nose or 158 gr SWC.
In my research I wasnt able to find a single incident where a gun 9mm or larger used failed to stop a black bear attack.
Also most black bear attacks tend to have somethign to do with an illegal off leash dog,, that of course the person doesnt get cited for.

 

[Old cop]

I’ve owned the 340PD for years and found full magnum loads difficult to manage. I’m guessing putting down a bear would require follow up shots and unless you’re very lucky, or very skilled, this is where things will fall apart. If I lived in an area where bear encounters might happen (I don’t) then a .44 magnum would be my choice.

 

[Chrisj357]

340PD is my go to CCW when I’m out and about, just getting into hiking and was wondering what 357FMJ is reccomneded? Something that will stop black bears?

That little thing might even be worse than nothing for a threatening bear. If you routinely go where encountering a bear is possible get a bigger gun. Just sayin.

My bear gun is a lot bigger. Someone told me it’s overkill for anything less than a grizzly. Me….when it comes to a bear overkill isint even enough for me. A bazooka might make me feel good. Lol



500 S&W with 700grn hard cast. And yes, I can hit what I’m aiming at

This was 25 yards. 5 shots in 15 seconds or so

 

[shocker]

There's a study available on line, of actual bear incidents. The only cartridge that didn't work, was the one that didn't hit the bear.
Black bears (which are in my locality), I'd just carry a subcompact 9 or my 66-8 short barrel with 38 +P.

 

[Chrisj357]

There's a study available on line, of actual bear incidents. The only cartridge that didn't work, was the one that didn't hit the bear.
Black bears (which are in my locality), I'd just carry a subcompact 9 or my 66-8 short barrel with 38 +P.

Well you do you. My wife had to shoot a bulldog at close range with 38+P. Took all five shots and she still got bit. 4 shots verified hit the dog and it kept coming. The last shot was the fatal one but the dog bit her hand and gun during that shot. Me, I’ll carry the biggest thing I have a holster for.

 

[Chrisj357]

There's a study available on line, of actual bear incidents. The only cartridge that didn't work, was the one that didn't hit the bear.
Black bears (which are in my locality), I'd just carry a subcompact 9 or my 66-8 short barrel with 38 +P.

I seriously doubt there are enough successful bear shootings with 9mm or 38+P to do proper study.

 

[71vette]

I’m not a fan of pain….. I don’t have a 340 but I do have a 360. For ease of conceal ability I keep Ahrends boot grips on it. Even +P “FBI” loads are uncomfortable for any kind of range session. I’ve never even contemplated 357, let alone 180 grain full house bear loads….

I loaded up some reasonably hot 158 grain coated hard cast 357 SWC’s that I’m trusting this week up in Wisconsin. My sidearm of choice is a 66-7 2.5” and I know I can shoot this round through this gun well. So far the only bear I’ve seen this week is Smokey.

 

[Goblin]

I’d chronograph loads as you’re choosing to ensure you’re getting what you expect and not an optimistic guess from the manufacturer.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I would want the battleship Missouri around me in any defensive situation, but the 340PD has the virtue of being easy to carry, so that you have it when needed. Whatever round you use with a bear, placement is an issue. 340 PD would be fine if not optimum, but you need to hit an important spot as with any round.

 

[balin]

A 357 is something I carry on occasion in bear country, mostly black bear, cougars and a rare grizzly although I have never seen a grizzly in my part of the mountains. Only in Wyoming and Montana. My 340pd wouldn't be my choice but it could be doable, but I would prefer something bigger. And in a bigger caliber if I was willing to carry it

 

[vipermd]

As A10 stated the best load is one you can hit with. I own everything from a 22 lr to 500 SW. When walking in the woods I usually carry my 40 SW with FMj or 357 with hard cast. The most important thing is situational awareness in the woods, or on the street. Many loads will stop a bear when your are "hunting" them, it gets much more difficult to hit a running bear a 30 mph. A bear guide back in early 1970's suggested, tying a rope to a 3 gallon bucket and the other end to a friends 4 wheeler. Have them drive past you than try to hit the bucket, it is very difficult, just like an angry bear. So Practice, again, and again, over and over till you can hit the bucket. A 500 SW or 50 BMG mean nothing if you can not make the hit on a moving object. Be Safe,

 

[tgmr05]

Well, shot some of the underwood coated hardcast 158+p in a 340pd and a 442 I put a titanium cylinder in. These rounds do stick in the titanium cylinders upon firing, at least both I tried. Very hard to extract. I should have brought a 340m&p and/or 642 to see if they stick in those. I thought I shot these rounds before, but it may have been the underwood 150 wadcutters.

I will refrain from using them in titanium cylinders, for now.

 

[DonD]

That little thing might even be worse than nothing for a threatening bear. If you routinely go where encountering a bear is possible get a bigger gun. Just sayin.

My bear gun is a lot bigger. Someone told me it’s overkill for anything less than a grizzly. Me….when it comes to a bear overkill isint even enough for me. A bazooka might make me feel good. Lol



500 S&W with 700grn hard cast. And yes, I can hit what I’m aiming at

This was 25 yards. 5 shots in 15 seconds or so

Good shooting but why the 700gr slugs. Lighter but still heavy slugs such as 440 gr can penetrate a Cape Buffalo end to end, more energy and less recoil.
I've been shooting the 500s since the year they came out. Don

 

[DonD]

One good coated hardcast option is underwood 158 gr swc +p 38 special. It is very close to being a magnum, 357 rounds,

Uh, no. Underwoods 158gr .38 +P is 1160 fps, the .357 is 1400 fps, considerably more potent. Don

 

[DonD]

Good shooting but why a 700gr slug? Big uptick in recoil but less energy than a 440 gr which has penetrated a Cape Buffalo from chest to tail. Don

Sorry for the double post. Don

 

[DonD]

One good coated hardcast option is underwood 158 gr swc +p 38 special. It is very close to being a magnum,

Uh No. The Underwood 38 Special +P 158gr runs 1160 fps, their .357 runs 1400 fps. LOTS more potent. Don

 

[BE Mike]

If it must be that revolver, I'd have to choose Underwood .357 Mag. 140 gr. Xtreme Penetrator.

 

[tgmr05]

Uh No. The Underwood 38 Special +P 158gr runs 1160 fps, their .357 runs 1400 fps. LOTS more potent. Don

Comparing underwoods two loads with the same bullet, yes, that would be correct. The underwood magnum load is much faster, much higher pressure.

Compared to other factory 158 swc loads, the underwood 158 +p 38 special swc offering is very close to and, in fact, actually exceeds some magnum loads. For example: Cowboy loads for 357 158 swc loads typically run just 1000fps. And, quite a few factory 357 magnum 158 loads in swc and jhp are less than 100fps faster than the underwood 38 special +p 158 swc. If one checks reloading manuals, it is also very apparent how close to 357 magnum the underwood and buffalo bore 38 special +p loads actually are.

The truth is underwood and buffalo bore have managed to manufacture an impressive 38 special +p 158gr swc load that is not as punishing as hotter 357 rounds, yet gives great penetration/performance. They do have snappy recoil and operate at high pressures which can cause hard extraction of fired cases. The recoil is not as unpleasant as the hotter 357 rounds, so it gives options that were not available before - for 38 chambered revolver and lightweight 357 revolver users that want more than standard 38 offerings without the beating of full bore hot 357 magnum rounds.

 

[steelslaver]

The perfect bear gun is a belt fed 40mm grenade launcher

Unfortunately like 12 gauge shotguns, 458 win mags and 500S&W revolvers they are kind of cumbersome

Take what ya shoot well and use hard cast bullets

If a bear charges you he is coming at you head first and moving fast. Getting your gun out, aimed and firing it is a way bigger problem than caliber. Luck as to where and how it happens is even more important.

I carry a 45 colt with 255 gr hard cast at over 1000fps myself.

I am often in bear country. Several grizzlies have been found inside a 30 mile circle around my house and I see black bears way closer. Cougars are found right here in town almost every year. Yet, I fail to worry that much about bears or cougars. So far they have all run from me. Yup, one day one might jump me, whether or not I survive will be way more about luck than any gun I have. I am far and away more apt to get killed driving somewhere.

I am not saying don't carry a gun, I am not saying big bullets are not better. I am saying the chances of needing a gun for bears is actually pretty small and the chances that one caliber will work when another won't is even smaller

 

[Chrisj357]

Good shooting but why a 700gr slug? Big uptick in recoil but less energy than a 440 gr which has penetrated a Cape Buffalo from chest to tail. Don

Sorry for the double post. Don

My standard hunting round for hogs is a 375grn double bonded hp. The 700 grn would be if I went to Alaska and wanted to protect against a grizzly. The 375grn would definitely be effective against any black bear we have in Florida