Oh yeah, because cheap 30cal bullets don't exist or anything lol
357 mag at close range for black bear?
- Thread starter TheCarpenter
- Start date
So what would you guys say would be a "good bullet" for penetration for a bear?
I'm still learning a bit about bullet selection and all that. I never thought too much about with rounds i've shot game with. just grab a cheap box and kill whatever I shoot. Reloading is making me think twice, but also that i'm overthinking it?
I'm still learning a bit about bullet selection and all that. I never thought too much about with rounds i've shot game with. just grab a cheap box and kill whatever I shoot. Reloading is making me think twice, but also that i'm overthinking it?
I normally hunt with the 3030 or bigger at close range. Since i usually on foot and whacking stuff at not perfect broadsides (sometimes only get one lung, or anchor with a shoulder and follow up with a headshot or something) My thought process was if my shot was off at all
(I wish they were all perfect shots like from a blind, but reality deals you what it may and bringing home meat is the most important, if I lose a little bit from shot placement so be it, but I won't take a clearly bad shot of course)
then the larger bullet, bigger caliber etc would allow for a slightly larger margin of error.
.357 is great in the Spring but not so great in the fall with all that winter fat getting in the way. A bit confused as why anyone considers cost really... How many bear do you expect to shoot? If you are looking the best you can get to ward off a bear consider throwing a small sport air horn in your pocket. Bear have twice the hearing as humans and that sound is piercing and will always send them running. And yes I have used it. It's always in the UTV and the wife carries one on her walks in the woods. Calibre wise. 45-70 Gov stops the stubborn ones in their tracks but, yes, its an expensive choice.
The cost factor is in reloading. Essentially for my "need to have" guns for hunting are these 5, and all need to be affordable calibers where possible because I do alot of shooting like most folks on here and even though I make a pretty good paycheck and support a family of 5 on it, I need to operate leaner even in hobbies to save money where I can.
1 - around the house plinking gun for squirrels, skunks coons etc and just fun plinking. Currently a henry 22
2- brush gun, always been a 3030 with a 20" or greater barrel, and although it's kind of perfect for nova scotia I'd like a lighter, shorter barrel to get around with. I hunt really light and compact and i've had a 357 before and loved it, regret getting rid of it. currently using a henry model x in 3030 but also have a pre 64 model 94 and a 336 Marlin all in 3030
3- longer range gun for corn fields and such, or hunting fields in NB. Currently a tikka t3x in 243
4- Hybrid gun for forest/field - have an old beater savage 99F with see through mounts so I can bust brush or jump up to scope for longer shots
5- A shotgun for small game. I don't go after ducks or geese yet, no dog or boat etc plus I like chasing game around the woods looking for new trapping spots. I normally use a break barrel winchester 37A (I can't tell you why, but I love these guns!) but have a lot of shotguns from SXP, to canucks, to cooeys etc.
Thanks
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Fer me at least, a hardcast boolit in the 170-180 gr range pushed at 1500 fps is very capable of doing some deep diggin' into big fuzzy critters.
Reloading is a great asset to learning the craft of ammo makin' and rather satisfying to folks that have the knack for it. Casting ones own
projectiles is another rewarding experience.
This is a proper design boolit that gets the job done well inside 80yds.
https://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=35-175AG
The main thing though is knowing how to hunt the game and proper shot placement. "Reading the room" when out in the field is my first rule
fer hunting.
While in general I would say larger bullet/bigger caliber COULD help, that only goes so far. The energy difference between 30-30 and 357mag is going to be more than enough to make up for any benefits the bigger bullet provides - 30-30 energy at 200yds is higher than 357mag at the muzzle.
There are lots of reasons to use a 357mag. It'll kill better than 30-30 wouldn't be on my list of reasons though.
I cast some 170ish gr Keith style that I use in my Henry x model. Loaded in .357 brass they are too long to cycle so I load them in .38 brass just like Elmer did.
I prefer a hard cast semi wadcutter style bullet, something that is not going to expand much but will make a deep hole and break bone.
They do, but I can't find any bullets suitable in a lever gun, or any .30 cal bullets at all, as cheap as Campro 158 grain .357. The other things I said are still true as well, less powder, longer brass life, cheaper primers, still enough bang to take game and leave a smile on your face. Like I said, if you want a lever gun for high volume shooting, that can still take deer, tough to beat a .357.
.30-30 does have ballistic advantages of course.
M1 carbine bullets are round nose and $16/100, same price (or even slightly cheaper) as campro 158gr 357 bullets. If you wanna go real cheap you can use those bullets with reduced loads and only burn like 8gr of powder. You can also get lead FN bullets for the 30-30 for only a few bucks more.
Brass life will depend on how mild your loads are with both. Primer cost difference is miniscule.
None of these are significant cost factors. Certainly not anywhere near cheap enough to justify a rifle purchase unless you shoot A TON. If you have to buy factory ammo 357mag is way cheaper, but If you're reloading both, they can both be done on the cheap.
Last edited:
IF you are shooting black bears within 50yds or so and disciplined/skilled enough to make a vitals shot....yes 357mag is sufficient. Far from ideal and or the most humane but def capable.
Max load with a sturdy 158 or 180gr bullet is the best choice....JHP not the best choice unless a broad side vitals shot....if the shot placement requires dealing with muscle/bone the JHP will come apart/not penetrate.
If the mission is nuisance bears and or protection from a bear moving toward you the 357mag is a lil lean for frontal shots on an aggressive animal.....a cartridge with more authority a much better choice.
The same platform of rifle is available in 44mag and a better choice all around.... but thats not the question you have asked
Max load with a sturdy 158 or 180gr bullet is the best choice....JHP not the best choice unless a broad side vitals shot....if the shot placement requires dealing with muscle/bone the JHP will come apart/not penetrate.
If the mission is nuisance bears and or protection from a bear moving toward you the 357mag is a lil lean for frontal shots on an aggressive animal.....a cartridge with more authority a much better choice.
The same platform of rifle is available in 44mag and a better choice all around.... but thats not the question you have asked
digitalblue
CGN Regular
- Location
- GTA unfortunately
You'll need to reload if really want to realize the upper performance limits of a 357 Mag.
The secret is Lil Gun Powder. My handloads are pushing a 158gr over 2000fps, from the research I've done, you can probably achieve ~1800fps with a 180gr bullet.
The secret is Lil Gun Powder. My handloads are pushing a 158gr over 2000fps, from the research I've done, you can probably achieve ~1800fps with a 180gr bullet.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I highlighted the important part. We have some pudgy bears here and you don't want to be using a JHP that is designed for personal defense to shoot a bear with. Phil Shoemaker's daughter is also an Alaskan guide. As I recall, he got her set up with a 357 and some stout 180gr ammo (probably Buffalo Bore, but I can't remember the specs). If he thinks that is adequate to send his daughter out into the Alaskan bush, it's plenty good for your needs here is Nova Scotia. Buffalo bore makes 180gr LFN that gets tossed at 1400 FPS. That's what I would try to find. Prophet River can probably help you out as they are a dealer.
