[The Ranchhand]

Which bear load is going to get the job done in the least amount of shots links or just names will be appriciated

 

[jdjax]

Don't know what load to suggest, but I do recommend a flame suit for your post

 

[Preacherboy]

One of Buffalo Bore's heaviest solids or Garrett makes some heavy hitters too.

Or these guys seem to be coming on strong with some great loadings lately.

http://www.underwoodammo.com/357magnum180grainlfngcboxof50.aspx

these are the other guys who make some heavy hitting stuff, a 200gr bullet

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=337

What barrel length are you using? Or is this out of a rifle?

 

[AKSurveyor]

.357 is NOT for bears!!! 12 ga. shotgun with sabot slugs is the best. I have killed brown bears with a .44mag but sure as he!! wouldn't use a .357! Maybe to shoot your partner in the knee (you don't need to outrun the bear, just your buddy) in which case a .22 would suffice!

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

357 bear hunt.. your kidding right? .. hmmmm could you video that for utube?

 

[*astid]

I tried to kill a bear once with a 357 don't remember the grain of the bullet as it was almost 20 years ago, I do remember firing all six rounds at it (black bear) and it just kept running at me (might of left me alone had I not shot at it ) any way long story short my pa who told me not to shoot at it pulled out his 444 marlin and dropped it dead with one shot. The first couple of shots I remember aiming for the head the rest I tried center of mass because I assumed I had missed. Upon checking the bear I had indeed landed all six shots 2 in the head that left groves along the skull the rest were a loose grouping one hit around the throat and 3 along the upper chest. My pa made me skin it and eat it. Now I will never shoot at a bear again (unless forced to) they are a pain to skin don't taste great.

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

lol, lessons learned. I also have never eaten a bear that tasted good enough to make me want a whole one in my freezer. tough, greasy, and just not really good tastin.
kinda like snappin turtle. dont cook it in the house, par boil it before you really start cooking it, and serving size is about 1 oz of finely chopped or grated meat, hidden in about 10 ounces of soup or stew fixings.
but unlike bears, a 357 works fine on a turtle, as they cant run nearly as fast or climb trees.

 

[Oldvernie]

My brother once shot a black bear with a 35 Whelen,
He said that it wasn't enough gun...
He'd laugh if I mentioned a 357.
:whip:

 

[Operator6]

I second the use of at least a .44 mag.

 

[Preacherboy]

I think one of those 200gr solids out of a lever action rifle might be ok for a Michigan size black bear, but not for anything bigger unless you have a really sweet tree stand that the browny cannot get into.

 

[rabiddog9]

"…..We're gonna need a bigger boat….."

 

[The Ranchhand]

This is for black bear in Washington and Wyoming, I know the bear in Wyoming can get a good size bit it's for my sidearm while hunting not my main gun. With that being said what would be the safest load to have I don't plan on using the 357 unless it's with in 20 yards otherwise I'm using my 7mm mag.

 

[Preacherboy]

This is for black bear in Washington and Wyoming, I know the bear in Wyoming can get a good size bit it's for my sidearm while hunting not my main gun. With that being said what would be the safest load to have I don't plan on using the 357 unless it's with in 20 yards otherwise I'm using my 7mm mag.

I've listed 4 options and given you links to 2 of the very best!

You want the hardest hitting load. That means the heaviest, fastest load you can get. Figure out the energy and whichever gives the most energy out of whatever length barrel your sidearm is get it. Probably the 200gr hardcast from double tap.

Here is the Buffalo Bore heavy https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

I was wrong Garrett does not offer a heavy loading in .357...so either the Underwood (usually faster than Buffalo Bore in independent youtube tests if you consider that scientific), Buffalo Bore or the super heavy 200gr from Double Tap.

All of the big 5 like Federal, Winchester, Cor Bon, Remington, or Hornaday make 180gr or 200gr loads too and some of them load a solid; but they will not achieve the velocity of the links I posted.

 

[Preacherboy]

I guess if you had to nail me down I'd go with the Underwood 180gr loading...the faster bullet is faster enough that it gives a lot more energy than the 200gr loading from Double Tap.

Plus, Underwood's prices are great! They list prices for 50rd boxes whereas the other guys sell in 20rd boxes.

I've got some of their 9mmMak loadings and I've been waiting for them to get some 300gr .44 mags and 147gr +p+ 9mm loadings in stock.

 

[The Ranchhand]

Thank you very much preacherboy

 

[Preacherboy]

Thank you very much preacherboy

You asked a question and I answered it!

I wouldn't purposefully hunt a black bear with a pistol, but I might carry a sidearm like yourself as a last ditch personl defense gun (first choice would be a .44mag).

At 1 time my only option was a .357, so I researched the most powerful ammo for the gun...glad I could pass down what I found to you.

 

[IlikeSa]

Get a 357 Redhawk or Freedom Arms 83 and learn to reload. You'll need a hotter load than standard 357 for bear. There are loads utilizing a 250 grain bullet at 1200. These are for those two guns ONLY.

 

[SunRiverMan]

.357 with Buffalo Bore will work. Not the best, but will get the job done.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/node/1000014248

 

[AKSurveyor]

If you do start hand-loading, try to find FMJ bullets and load 'em hot! The full metal jacket has far superior penetration, as previously pointed out, *Astid's rounds all hit true, but did not penetrate deeply enough to hit any vital organs or break any major bones (not that I think the .357 is powerful enough to break any bears bones) I have loaded FMJ for my .44 carbine and dropped a 7' brownie with a head shot. Blackies, mebbe. We did take a small black down with a 9mm (with +P ammo) but it took the full mag. Almost had to change drawers after that bit of idiocy!

 

[MadDawg]

I'm surprised that no one has suggested bringing that not so close friend..