357 mag at close range for black bear?

T

TheCarpenter

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Hey Folks, I have lots of calibers that are better but always end up hammering my deer in the brush with my henry x 3030. Tried and true.. lov eit, but I reload and powder is getting expensive and all that jazz.

Would likely be running 158 JHP bullets, and I know 357 is "good to 100 yards, no more" for white tail.

I hunt in thick brush in NS, all my deer been under 50 yard really. I trap as well including bear but always get a bear tag just incase I see one. I'm thinking I'm growing as a hunter and getting better at playing the wind, stalking around ( I don't really enjoy sitting in a blind no matter how effective it is, I just find it boring, lazy, just not for me, not knocking anyone just not my thing)

If by chance I come up on a bear under 100 yards, probably 50 yards maybe, what are the chances I can make a clean kill with decent to good shot placement? or if I do make a shot, should I just go headshot or not shot?

Anyone with experience on this? I know 3030 is a good do all gun for here in Nova scotia, but I really like 357, it's cheap, I can get carbines in 16.5 length for my brush hunting etc. would really love it.

Edit: I know 44 Mag is cheaper on powder than 3030, and would slam bears but I'm really in love with 357.
 
I wouldn’t think twice about, as long as you got a good bullet 357 will easily kill I bear. I carry mine when refilling baits and building new baits. Never used it but I trust it to do the job.
 
With "decent to good" shot placement? I don't like the sound of "decent" shot placement...

357mag will work if you do your part. For bullets I'd want something designed for high weight retention and deep penetration. You didn't specify a bullet, but if it's a 158gr HP designed for handgun velocities it might be a bit too violent on impact to get the penetration I'd be looking for.
 
I've ran a research ballistic testing lab for 10 years. I play a little. I made a hard cast 158gr swc sized for 9mm and loaded barely subsonic out of a semi carbine. It went through 3 feet of 10% clear ballistics calibrated gel block and functioned the semi. I didn't try the 158 jhp though.
 
Used to load 357 for bears, for my Brother and a couple of his friends up in the territories. 180 silhouette bullets for maximum penetration, and loaded hot. Tested on a few bear skulls, they worked well. NOT pleasant to shoot out of said brother's 4 inch Model 19 though, but then the plan wasnt to shoot it much. Not really a target round. - dan
 
158g copper jacket and 10g of Blue Dot. its hard hitting and accurate. can do 200 yards easy. Used it in my Henry carbine.
very pleased with the results. "henry recommends this load "
dont use these loads in your hand gun. lots of un burned power coming out the barrel. slower powder for long barrels.
 
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What's the price breakdown for powder savings over a 30-30 vs purchasing a 357 rifle?

357 burns about 19 cents of propellant, 30-30 burns 44 cents

that a difference of 25 cents per cartridge fired. A 357 rifle would pay for itself after 5000 rounds fired
 
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todbartell said:
What's the price breakdown for powder savings over a 30-30 vs purchasing a 357 rifle?

357 burns about 19 cents of propellant, 30-30 burns 44 cents

that a difference of 25 cents per cartridge fired. A 357 rifle would pay for itself after 5000 rounds fired
Click to expand...
You can get a Turkish gun for like $900 these days so it's ONLY 3600 rounds. Lol
 
todbartell said:
What's the price breakdown for powder savings over a 30-30 vs purchasing a 357 rifle?

357 burns about 19 cents of propellant, 30-30 burns 44 cents

that a difference of 25 cents per cartridge fired. A 357 rifle would pay for itself after 5000 rounds fired
Click to expand...
Not only powder, brass is cheaper and lasts longer with the 357. Pistol primers are usually cheaper. Bulk bullets for practice are easy to find and cheap in 357.

If you want to shoot a lever gun A LOT, a 357 is such a good choice.
 
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