Effectiveness of a 357 mag bear load on a bear or large animal

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pavmentsurfer

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I have a Rossi Ranch hand in 357 magnum. I bought it to carry in the bush and I'm wondering what the realistic effectiveness of it is on larger animals.

I bought a few boxes of 357 magnum bear loads... but I don't believe box art. Im wondering what the experts think about their realistic effectiveness. Obviously at medium to short ranges given the purpose of the gun. I have strong doubts that even these heavy loads would be effective against a bear... black bear that is, I'm in ontario.

Alternatively, would a 1oz slug have any effect on a bear from an 8.5 inch grizzly? These are the 2 guns I carry in the bush, just want to make sure theyre at least somewhat effective. I know they'd be enough for a coyote or other medium sized animal. But what about the bigger ones?
 
OK on deer but I would not trust for bear, 357 mag is equal to a.410 slug, there are better choices.
 
If you Reload, you can make some really HOT stuff ! I had a taurus 357 magnum "avatar pic" and I could zing that bullet out to 200 yards with Force ! I was using blue Dot powder at Max levels. You will even get hotter results coming out of a longer barrel. I wouldn't hesitate using it on any 4 legged critter. Americans hunted with this hand gun.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
10:4. I figured as such. I can't say I would have trusted myself against a bear with those rounds. But It was worth asking.

What about the 12 gauge?
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I'd feel fine with the 12g and some 3" slugs at close range...if the slugs don't get him, at least you will set him on fire...
Handgun I'd look to the new gen of magnums....454 Casull, 460 or 500 S&W. I'd rather have too much gun then not enough.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
I have a Rossi Ranch hand in 357 magnum. I bought it to carry in the bush and I'm wondering what the realistic effectiveness of it is on larger animals.

I bought a few boxes of 357 magnum bear loads... but I don't believe box art. Im wondering what the experts think about their realistic effectiveness. Obviously at medium to short ranges given the purpose of the gun. I have strong doubts that even these heavy loads would be effective against a bear... black bear that is, I'm in ontario.

Alternatively, would a 1oz slug have any effect on a bear from an 8.5 inch grizzly? These are the 2 guns I carry in the bush, just want to make sure theyre at least somewhat effective. I know they'd be enough for a coyote or other medium sized animal. But what about the bigger ones?
Click to expand...

I can't say based on any experience how effective the 357 would be on bear, but it's got a hell of a lot more punch than a 410 slug. 410 slugs are hollow, they don't penetrate and they basically disingrate on impact.

I picked up a few boxes of HSM bear loads in 357 mag back in the summer and tried a few rounds out. To say I was impressed with the penetration performance would be an understatement.

From a 25yd shot that 180gr sailed through a 14" fresh cut fir stump travelled 10ft, then punched clean through a 6" pine and came to rest in a dirt bank about 30ft behind that.

That ammo has proven to be very accurate in my 77/357, and it's leaving the 18.5" barrel at 1640fps.

It's not the best Bear medicine, but you could do a lot worse. Pack whatever firearm you enjoy more and don't worry about the bears. Bear Defense is one of those never ending overthought situations, 99% of the time you don't need a gun (unless you're hunting them), the other 1% (when it's too late) It'll do ya no good anyways.

Just my 2 cents.........
 
If you're hunting with them "bear loads" keep it short.
If it's protection you're after, they're way better than a stick, even than a knife. Especially at "protection" distances.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
I have a Rossi Ranch hand in 357 magnum. I bought it to carry in the bush and I'm wondering what the realistic effectiveness of it is on larger animals.

I bought a few boxes of 357 magnum bear loads... but I don't believe box art. Im wondering what the experts think about their realistic effectiveness. Obviously at medium to short ranges given the purpose of the gun. I have strong doubts that even these heavy loads would be effective against a bear... black bear that is, I'm in ontario.

Alternatively, would a 1oz slug have any effect on a bear from an 8.5 inch grizzly? These are the 2 guns I carry in the bush, just want to make sure theyre at least somewhat effective. I know they'd be enough for a coyote or other medium sized animal. But what about the bigger ones?
Click to expand...

The .357 as a bear defense round is at best marginal, but things can be done to swing the advantage in your direction. A stiff handload built around a 200 gr hard cast, WFN provides effective penetration and creates a sufficient wound channel to solve the problem. The true measure of effectiveness though relates to the coolness of the shooter, his mindset, and whether or not he has a plan. Blindly shooting into the middle of the bear is not the road to success, regardless of the gun chosen, but if you can wait until the range is close, and shut him down with a brain or spine shot, you'll be fine.

The idea of an 8.5" pump shotgun scares me to death. If you are scared, and need to user this thing in a hurry, I have visions of your wet hand sliding past the the forend and in front of the muzzle, just as the gun fires. That's a game changer, and is an awful risk to take for the sake of portability. IMHO, barrel length should be sufficient so that your outstretched support hand can't reach the muzzle.
 
I bought the HSM Bear loads as well. Good to know they weren't a waste and would at least give me a fighting chance. We have quite a few bears roaming around our woods this time of year. Lots of them getting into garbage right in peoples yards so when your in the bush, they can be close and are seen quite often. I doubt ill ever have to defend against one, but better to be prepared than surprised.

I love my 8.5 inch pump gun. I put a hand stop at the end of the pump and feel confident my hand wouldn't slide past the end. Its a great gun. And as the old adage says, the best gun is the one you have with you, and with guns this short and small, they are easy to ALWAYS keep with you and keep ready.

Thanks for the info everyone.
 
I carry a double rifle in 45/70 personally. I'd have no issues with a 357 for protection against Ontario black bears. It might not flatten them but a shot to the chest will likely change their minds in a hurry.
Phil shoemaker defended successfully against a grizzly with a 9 mm. Took him 7 shots but he killed the bear.
The whole protection gun for bears is more for kind set. If you get between a sow and a cub she's going to let you know and you should have time to leave if you're smart. An aggressive boar will also give warnings he's pissed. The fact is when they do decide to charge they come so fast if you're not ready and waiting you don't have a chance. I had a boar smack his teeth and growl for almost 45 minutes in thick cover. I don't know how he knew I was there as I heard him come in from a long ways off. I was bear hunting and he gave quite a show then he went silent for about 20 minutes. He let out a growl and came charging at me. I could see the elders parting ways. I raised my rifle and fired the right barrel when I saw black and he dropped. The bear came easily 30 yards before I could raise my rifle. I shot and killed him at 12'. I had a crossbow in my hand walking out of the cabin that day but decided to hunt with my double instead. Had I had the bow that bear may have had his way with me.
Would a 357 drop him. I don't know. But a shot or two may have changed his mind or at least took some fight out of him.
The longest 2 minutes of my life were right there trying to decide if I should open the gun to reload the right barrel or keep the gun pointed at where the bear was and hope the left barrel would finish it. Th bear had dropped and was obscured by thick brush and undergrowth
I was lucky as the 405 gr bullet nicked the skull and went in and thru the neck taking out the bears front shoulder before exiting the front of th rib cage. That Remington soft nose plowed 2" hole stright thru
 
brybenn said:
I carry a double rifle in 45/70 personally. I'd have no issues with a 357 for protection against Ontario black bears. It might not flatten them but a shot to the chest will likely change their minds in a hurry.
Phil shoemaker defended successfully against a grizzly with a 9 mm. Took him 7 shots but he killed the bear.
The whole protection gun for bears is more for kind set. If you get between a sow and a cub she's going to let you know and you should have time to leave if you're smart. An aggressive boar will also give warnings he's pissed. The fact is when they do decide to charge they come so fast if you're not ready and waiting you don't have a chance. I had a boar smack his teeth and growl for almost 45 minutes in thick cover. I don't know how he knew I was there as I heard him come in from a long ways off. I was bear hunting and he gave quite a show then he went silent for about 20 minutes. He let out a growl and came charging at me. I could see the elders parting ways. I raised my rifle and fired the right barrel when I saw black and he dropped. The bear came easily 30 yards before I could raise my rifle. I shot and killed him at 12'. I had a crossbow in my hand walking out of the cabin that day but decided to hunt with my double instead. Had I had the bow that bear may have had his way with me.
Would a 357 drop him. I don't know. But a shot or two may have changed his mind or at least took some fight out of him.
The longest 2 minutes of my life were right there trying to decide if I should open the gun to reload the right barrel or keep the gun pointed at where the bear was and hope the left barrel would finish it. Th bear had dropped and was obscured by thick brush and undergrowth
I was lucky as the 405 gr bullet nicked the skull and went in and thru the neck taking out the bears front shoulder before exiting the front of th rib cage. That Remington soft nose plowed 2" hole stright thru
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Just for curiosity; what was the condition of your underwear when this was all over...!! I can appreciate this story as I had a very close encounter with a black bear when I was 12 yrs. old. They are unbelievably fast, and predictably, unpredictable. I also had a cow moose in my face as I was dressing her calf so fast that I did not have time to react let alone sh!t myself.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
I have a Rossi Ranch hand in 357 magnum. I bought it to carry in the bush and I'm wondering what the realistic effectiveness of it is on larger animals.

I bought a few boxes of 357 magnum bear loads... but I don't believe box art. Im wondering what the experts think about their realistic effectiveness. Obviously at medium to short ranges given the purpose of the gun. I have strong doubts that even these heavy loads would be effective against a bear...
Click to expand...

Assuming you are a cool deadly shot with it, no doubt it would stop a bear if you brain it.
 
brybenn said:
I carry a double rifle in 45/70 personally. I'd have no issues with a 357 for protection against Ontario black bears. It might not flatten them but a shot to the chest will likely change their minds in a hurry.
Phil shoemaker defended successfully against a grizzly with a 9 mm. Took him 7 shots but he killed the bear.
The whole protection gun for bears is more for kind set. If you get between a sow and a cub she's going to let you know and you should have time to leave if you're smart. An aggressive boar will also give warnings he's pissed. The fact is when they do decide to charge they come so fast if you're not ready and waiting you don't have a chance. I had a boar smack his teeth and growl for almost 45 minutes in thick cover. I don't know how he knew I was there as I heard him come in from a long ways off. I was bear hunting and he gave quite a show then he went silent for about 20 minutes. He let out a growl and came charging at me. I could see the elders parting ways. I raised my rifle and fired the right barrel when I saw black and he dropped. The bear came easily 30 yards before I could raise my rifle. I shot and killed him at 12'. I had a crossbow in my hand walking out of the cabin that day but decided to hunt with my double instead. Had I had the bow that bear may have had his way with me.
Would a 357 drop him. I don't know. But a shot or two may have changed his mind or at least took some fight out of him.
The longest 2 minutes of my life were right there trying to decide if I should open the gun to reload the right barrel or keep the gun pointed at where the bear was and hope the left barrel would finish it. Th bear had dropped and was obscured by thick brush and undergrowth
I was lucky as the 405 gr bullet nicked the skull and went in and thru the neck taking out the bears front shoulder before exiting the front of th rib cage. That Remington soft nose plowed 2" hole stright thru
Click to expand...

i learnt one thing about bear: there is no two bears behavior the same .... i will never assume a sow will do something because she has cubs ... ask our friend that had to kill a sow that was charging him .... it was for grizzly and i have been bluff charged by both kinds ....
 
bunny said:
OK on deer but I would not trust for bear, 357 mag is equal to a.410 slug, there are better choices.
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Bull####. A tough, heavy bullet from a 357 is more than adequate for bear. If you doubt me perhaps talk to Phil Shoemaker and his daughter Tia whether the 357 is sufficient. Tia carries one as backup while guiding bear hunters in Alaska.

What was your experience with the 357 again?
 
Hitzy said:
I'd feel fine with the 12g and some 3" slugs at close range...if the slugs don't get him, at least you will set him on fire...
Handgun I'd look to the new gen of magnums....454 Casull, 460 or 500 S&W. I'd rather have too much gun then not enough.
Click to expand...

How well can you shoot a heavy, hard kicking revolver under pressure? How well can you maneuver it?
 
BigUglyMan said:
How well can you shoot a heavy, hard kicking revolver under pressure? How well can you maneuver it?
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When the black bears are normal sized in the area I'm working I carry a S&W model 19.

However, when the black bears are ridiculously large eg. coastal BC I carry a Ruger SRH .454 Casull. It is a miserable HG to practice shoot with full house .454 ammo.
 
Paw has shot several nuisance black bears with a rossi 92 trapper in 357 Mag using hsm and buffalo bore ammo as well as his own reloads.
All except 1 were 1 shot kills.
The gun is only as good as the nut behind the butt plate.
 
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