Yep. Make sure you're not looking so hard for the bear that isn't there that you forget to watch where you're stepping. Seriously.
357 and Bears
- Thread starter CCantu357
- Start date
If you'll be in an area open to hunting you shouldn't be in any danger from black bears. They may wreck your campsite when you're not around but usually will skedaddle at first sight of a human. It's places where hunting is banned or restricted, or where contact with humans is practically nonexistent, that have the highest incidents of bear attacks. Park bears and those in urban areas, have no fear of humans and associate us with food. It's a small step to associate us as being food, especially for a young bear. Conversely, in the remote areas of the far north there are bears that have had minimal contact, if any, with humans. We are potential food in that instance. To paraphrase the old gorilla joke: What does a 500 pound bear eat? Any thing it wants! But... I think a 357 loaded with hard cast 158 gr or heavier would be fine, just in case. It's strictly a close range shooting scenario here, under 10 yards and probably much shorter. Would you have any justification to shoot at longer range?
Personally, I worry more about threats from our two legged brethren than old ursus americanus, statistics prove it.
John
Personally, I worry more about threats from our two legged brethren than old ursus americanus, statistics prove it.
John
PeterCartwright
Member
I live in country with very healthy populations of both black bears and grey wolves. Even though I know the chances of being bothered by these or any other (four legged) predators in my geography are so small they defy measurement, I still choose to carry a sidearm. Given the risk you've described, the .357 is a perfectly prudent choice. If nothing else, it's a great noise maker. Also, it's a serious tool for protection from the much more dangerous two legged predators who lurk about. I've long ago decided I don't care if others consider me a sissy for hauling a hog leg. To each their own.
PC
PC
badguybuster
Member
Daniel Boone just used his Bowie knife........as for me I prefer my 45-70. I have some 195 gr hard cast lead for my 357. Loaded stout. I figure they'll do ok if I don't die of fright
OP
CCantu357
Member
Well thanks for all the replies, I did not expect to get so many responses. We do not have many black bears around here and most are docile. I suppose wild hogs and snakes are more of an issue, as well as two legged threats. I usually carry the 158 grain SWC Magnum round from Remington. Seems like it can penetrate more than the JSP.
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While I would not purposely set out to hunt Bear with a .357 Magnum, I do carry my 3" M65 with me while hiking in the mountains and stoke it with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore .357 Magnums. Click on the link below and look at the spec's. I have verified the statistics through my own Chronograph and have found their claims to be spot on.
Where I go hiking the Black Bears usually range from small to medium and I feel while not optimum, the load mentioned here should take care of business should the need arise.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100
Chief38
Where I go hiking the Black Bears usually range from small to medium and I feel while not optimum, the load mentioned here should take care of business should the need arise.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100
Chief38
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NorthWoods1900
Member
Da' Bears
Buffalo Bore has 180 grn. .357 loads that will do the job. They also have an excellent article on handguns for bear defense. I've had to shoot one with a .38 +p load - head shot. Your not going to have a lot time to aim. You'll have even less time to deploy your bear spray. Bears are not a laughing matter. An acquaintance was mauled by a blackie - 235 stitches!
By all means carry a handgun for a last ditch defense, but if you must be traipsing around in bear country you should carry a rifle or at least a shot gun. Good Luck!
Buffalo Bore has 180 grn. .357 loads that will do the job. They also have an excellent article on handguns for bear defense. I've had to shoot one with a .38 +p load - head shot. Your not going to have a lot time to aim. You'll have even less time to deploy your bear spray. Bears are not a laughing matter. An acquaintance was mauled by a blackie - 235 stitches!
By all means carry a handgun for a last ditch defense, but if you must be traipsing around in bear country you should carry a rifle or at least a shot gun. Good Luck!
badge 851
US Veteran
SOUND ADVICE. I carry both.....
• Handgun - 41 Remington® Magnum w/Federal® Premium® 250gr CastCore® WFN Bullets
• Rifle - 444 Marlin w/Beartooth® 300gr WFNGC Bullets
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Do you really think it's a good idea to bring back from the Abyss a 1 year old BEAR THREAD? It's not bad enough we get a new one almost every month so now we need to bring back zombie bear threads too? Why do new members always do that?
No offense meant NorthWoods1900, welcome to the forum...
No offense meant NorthWoods1900, welcome to the forum...
AlaskaDawg
Member
"Go to a natural history museum or zoo and study bear anatomy. Watch how the zoo bears move and plan your shot angles.
Those BB loads sound good. I've never seen them, but they seem fine in principle.
You aren't helpless without a .44 Magnum. Remember that fisherman and his knife!"
I remind myself I am not helpless with a 44 magnum and try to remember the 45-70.
Those BB loads sound good. I've never seen them, but they seem fine in principle.
You aren't helpless without a .44 Magnum. Remember that fisherman and his knife!"
I remind myself I am not helpless with a 44 magnum and try to remember the 45-70.
kamloops67
Member
"bear threads" are helpful in my opinion ,while many will roll their eyes in a vain attempt to see the top of their own head, others listen with interest and learn from the knowledge of others.
while i agree that a violent encounter is rare, it still happens often enough that planning for it seems prudent.
cougar,coyote,wolves and feral dogs not to mention two legged snakes are also to be considered as potential threats while hiking.
while i agree that a violent encounter is rare, it still happens often enough that planning for it seems prudent.
cougar,coyote,wolves and feral dogs not to mention two legged snakes are also to be considered as potential threats while hiking.
Engine49guy
Member
Most animals get funnier when you shave them.
Bears just get terrifying.
Bears just get terrifying.
I am not sure of the newer Silvertips, but I killed a doe antelope years ago using a 45 ACP and using Winchester 185 grain Silvertips. It took 7 rounds to make the 100# doe lay down and expire. Very limited penetration due to the very rapid expansion. The new Silvertips may be an entirely different design or not. TEXAS STAR brought up a couple instances about bears killed by handguns. The story I remember but cant sweat to, had Louis Kiss the game warden shoot the grizzly 5 times, missing one time, and using 125 grain hp's . The first 4 bullets hit the head but failed to penetrate. The last shot was in the mouth that killed the bear. As for the New York polar bear killed by police officers after killing an 11 year old kid, the New York Times reported the bear was shot 20 times with 12 guage slugs and 6 times with a 38. I am NOT challenging TEXAS STAR, but am asking if anyone has a site that gives the specifics of these 2 instances. It would be a help if we could get the real story. Now days black bear are not afraid of humans, and locally have killed one local man and eating him after the bear ripped the door off his camper. Two instances of bears attacking campers while sleeping dispels the "bears only attack when scared or threatened defense", but agree that startled bears has to be a leading cause of bear encounters that turn bad.
BobC357
Member
Black bears generally just want to avoid people and go on their merry way. I've encountered them many times in the woods. I just stop and let them walk on by and then I proceed. In 50 some years of being around bears, I've never seen a situation when it became necessary to defend myself.
Now, browns, grizzley and some others aren't so friendly and since they're bigger, you'd probably want a 44 or bigger with them.
Now, browns, grizzley and some others aren't so friendly and since they're bigger, you'd probably want a 44 or bigger with them.
Best defense: use bear bells from Wally World sporting good department--large sleigh bells and they work just fine. Put 1-2 bells on your boots or backpack or the collar of your dog. Works for me. Works well for cats too. I've shot black bears with 30 30 170 gr soft point and it took three rounds at close range to stop him. I don't think much of the 357 for that purpose, but best advise is to "avoid' them with all the important precautions. Bear spray works wonders.
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a little more dangerous than a raccoon
Well I don't know about that. I think of black bear defense the same as any other other 4 or two legged problem, odds of a conflict are highly unlikely but not quite zero.
Child taken from a stroller.
Catskill Bear Snatches Infant From Stroller And Kills Her - NYTimes.com
Mountain biker attacked, and his dogs didn't help. This one is also disturbing as he is visibly missing body parts.
Bear attack victim: ?It was surreal? - today > news - People: Tales of survival - TODAY.com
And the only confirmed person killed by coyotes. Keep in mind eastern coyotes are as big as a German Shepard.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/coyotes-kill-toronto-singer-in-cape-breton-1.779304
Bill
Well I don't know about that. I think of black bear defense the same as any other other 4 or two legged problem, odds of a conflict are highly unlikely but not quite zero.
Child taken from a stroller.
Catskill Bear Snatches Infant From Stroller And Kills Her - NYTimes.com
Mountain biker attacked, and his dogs didn't help. This one is also disturbing as he is visibly missing body parts.
Bear attack victim: ?It was surreal? - today > news - People: Tales of survival - TODAY.com
And the only confirmed person killed by coyotes. Keep in mind eastern coyotes are as big as a German Shepard.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/coyotes-kill-toronto-singer-in-cape-breton-1.779304
Bill
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A friend just shot a small black bear. The bear walked straight towards him in an open field. The bear walked to within 10' before my friend arrowed him. The bear showed no fear of him. He wasn't charging, but he also wasn't running away or appeared frightened.
Seven3
Member
I can't contribute much here, but I know it is possible to kill a black bear with a .357 handgun, because 30 years ago my Dad killed one with a 6 inch Colt Trooper. He still has the rug. I have no idea what load he used, but I'm sure it was something made for hunting.
There is no doubt that a 357 can kill a bear. In fact I can say I kinda killed a bear with a 357. I wounded a bear that ran into a thicket that I couldn't get my rifle into. So I took my 357 and crawled into the thicket and finished off a 200# black bear with a head shot using 158 grain cast lead bullet.
