Best .357 load for woods carry in Colorado

[three-five-seven]

re: best bear loads in 357.

I like good old fashioned 2400 with a 162 gas checked bullet or a hardcast 168 Keith. No I have never shot a bear but I am responding to your load question. I dont remember where I got the load. Either Speers manual 14 for a hard cast bullet. It is a published load that i have been using for a few years. the 168 Keith is from Leadhead bullets and it is excellent. Sometimes you have to do the best you can with the equipment you have. If you could get a chronograph or do some penetration tests you could make a reasonably good choice for a load. Remember your short barrel. I have shot this in a 4 inch model 19 and also in a 5 inch 686. Good luck.

 

[Snowbandit]

The practice of keeping a couple of snake loads up first in a revolver, in areas where snakes are the most likely threat, isn't a terrible idea. As for alternating loads any other time, well, let's just say I've never heard of anyone I consider knowledgeable doing or recommending such a thing. Different types of ammo almost always shoots to a different point of aim. Pretty soon you don't know what you've got or where it's likely to go. Bad idea.

 

[thndrchiken]

The only time I alternate load is when fishing, I'll have two rds of snakeshot then the 180's.

 

[BillBingham2]

.......As for alternating loads any other time, well, let's just say I've never heard of anyone I consider knowledgeable doing or recommending such a thing......

I never said I was knowledgeable or experienced in this or any other area. I'm just bringing up an idea, thinking out side of the box and seeing what others think. I can't try it at this point in time.

.......Different types of ammo almost always shoots to a different point of aim......

I'm wondering if you could develop two loads, one for knock-down power and one for penetration that would shoot as close to the same as possible. It might take some time but if I were to spend some time walking about this sort of woods in that type of parts it would be something I'd try.

The question from the OP was what the best load is and I'm thinking from reading that there might not be a single perfect load for all potential risk. I don't think it as unanswerable as what is the right caliber for an SD weapon. Perhaps it's a series of options, shot for snakes, FMJ for penetration, etc. and the challenge is developing loads that shot as close as possible to each other.

Thoughts?

B2

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would use the MG over the K frame because .357 Hunting ammo can be a handful. A good 180gr Hard Cast will do the job like mentioned all over this thread. I agree Grizzly Ammo is probably the best choice. I load the same ammo using the same bullet purchased from Cast Performance, their sister company.

Aim for the snout, the brain is right behind it...

 

[Whapiti]

Cor-bon 200gr HC. In my old 4" Mountain Gun it shot the flattest and had less kick/pivot than Buffalo Bore 180gr- which is a great round too.

 

[Erich]

Wow, this thread just won't stay in the grave, will it? Died in 2009, popped back up in '11, and now today. Neat!

 

[arjay]

So my ruger 22 or my model 15 won't cut it? ;-)

 

[JPriest]

Here's a good article on bullets for bears. It deals with .44mag, not .357, but has interesting info on bullet type, etc.
Garrett Cartridges Inc.

 

[Kid44]

Unless you shoot a black bear in the eye with that thing, it's my opinion that you won't impress it. My meager research indicates that a .429" 240gr bullet @ ~1300+ fps is called for, at minimum, to turn a black bear. A mountain lion, OTOH, will likely fall for your .357.

I realize that I did not address your question, with good reason.

JMHO,
1x2

You need to do a bit more research!

 

[Kid44]

I live deep in bear country and have Colorado black bears on my porch regularly in the summer months. I have never shot a bear with anything but a rifle so have no experence, however I know a lion guide who carries a Smith & Wesson model 19. I myself use a 6" 19 as my primary "toting" gun. I study terminal ballistics and from all reports I have read, the hollow point can and have failed to penatrate a bears skull. According to an Alaskan bear guide, no hollow points can be counted on. I load mine alternately with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore and 125 grain Buffalo Bore hollow points. I also live deep in lion country. Two legged predators live here as well. If just one load I would go with the 180 hard cast.

Excellent point, a hollow point, or even a jacketed soft point is not the right load for bear, of any kind. You want a good HARDCAST bullet for bear, you want deep penetration, not rapid expansion, which may create a very shallow wound channel.