357 mag for bear?

[adamR]

I do alot of trail riding deep into the woods, and one of these days I know I'm going to see a bear while riding.  I would like to be able to harvest said bear if it was nice enough.  I was thinking of what weapon I have that I would be able to carry while riding and really the best I can come up with is my 6" Colt king cobra 357 Magnum.

So my question is, is this to small for a bear?  If it's not to small what load/bullet would be best for bear hunting?  And what range would it be good too?

[Special T]

It is legal and with the right bullet combo AND practice i would do so. A close well placed shot would do the trick... Check out the Remington Ballistic calculator for some basic info on rounds.
http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/ballistics.aspx

[NW-GSP]

I'm sure they have been taken with less then a .357 before but I'm not sure if that's what I would use to try to harvest a bear. I also do not know allot about it though

[b.roberts]

With the right ammo, I would take the shot in a heartbeat.  Disclaimer; I have never harvested a bear, so what the hell do I know? 

[Rick]

With a hardcast bullet (no hollowpoints) I'd use a .357 on a bear without a second thought.

[Kola16]

The caliber with the right bullet is enough, but a good shot is the topper. Practice 

[Ripper]

 

[sled]

10mm!  Thats what im packin.

[sled]

10mm!  Thats what im packin.

  i will add that i to have not killed a bear yet so ......

[grizzlyadams]

10mm!  Thats what im packin.

 

With Double-Taps or Buffalo Bore

For me anyway.

357 would do the trick but I don't see that round bringing the bear down fast enough. I think you'd have alot of tracking to do. Seems to me you would need a heart or head shot to kill a bear quickly with that round.

[bearpaw]

I have seen bear killed at very close range with a .357 but I definitely do not recommend it. A .41 Magnum or .44 magnum is better, but you still need to hit them just right, anything less than a perfect shot and you simply wound a bear. You might be an excellent pistol shot, but most guys are really only about half as good with a pistol as they think they are, myself included. 

Set a target up at 50 yards and fire from the same position you'd be in if you saw a bear while riding. If you can shoot a 5 or 6 inch group then you are probably good enough to kill a bear. If not.....

I know a guy that shoots a scoped 7x37 waters pistol, he kills big game consistently at 100 to 200 yards, but that pistol is nearly a rifle and he shoots it very well. You might want to trade your pistol for a 30/30, 32, or 44 lever gun, keep it with you in a scabbord, your accuracy will be much bettter with a rifle.

Remember, many bear do not bleed when hit unless you blow a large rifle hole out the other side. Most tracking of wounded bear ends in a few feet.

[seth30]

357 mag is illegal in wash for hunting big game.

What caliber does it need to be for big game?  seen lots of threads with deer and revolvers

[washelkhunter]

I was wrong 357 is legal for big game. I think i got my muzzy limits mixed up with the centerfire. My bad.

[seth30]

I was wrong 357 is legal for big game. I think i got my muzzy limits mixed up with the centerfire. My bad.

good I was about to ask the wife for funds to buy a bigger revolver

[sled]

  I dont plan on shooting one with the 10mm.  Its my backup for bears and tweekers.

[Wazukie]

I carry very hot loads in my 4" .357 and I would not hesitate to shoot a bear with it.   But that said, I shoot it every chance I get, and that's a lot.  Practice practice practice, that's the key as far as I'm concerned.  No your limitation with the revolver you plan to carry and dont push past it.

[adamR]

Sounds like a 357 would work but only with the right load and alot of practice, maybe Ill just wait til I can afford a bigger revolver.  Until then I guess I'll just carry my xd for defense and hope the bear is still in the area after I go get my rifle.

[RadSav]

I've seen a number of bear killed with the .357.  All with good bullets and all at quite close range.  Did a fine job.  But these were bear taken from tree stands or out of trees using dogs.  The pistol you mention is a good shooter, however not much for any distance at all.  Talking archery distances or less when it comes to bear.

You can find some dang good deals on the little Winchester and Marlin lever guns.  That would extend your range greatly.  30-30 is one heck of a good 100 yard bear gun.  In the right hands a good 150 yard bear gun.  Especially these days with the new Hornady soft tip bullets.  444 Marlin is one heck of a good bear gun and the new bullets really improved distance.  Though those are a little harder to find and a bit more money when you do.

[whackmaster]

  RADSAV

I've seen a number of bear killed with the .357.  All with good bullets and all at quite close range.  Did a fine job.  But these were bear taken from tree stands or out of trees using dogs.  The pistol you mention is a good shooter, however not much for any distance at all.  Talking archery distances or less when it comes to bear.

You can find some dang good deals on the little Winchester and Marlin lever guns.  That would extend your range greatly.  30-30 is one heck of a good 100 yard bear gun.  In the right hands a good 150 yard bear gun.  Especially these days with the new Hornady soft tip bullets.  444 Marlin is one heck of a good bear gun and the new bullets really improved distance.  Though those are a little harder to find and a bit more money when you do.

[deerslyr]

You can always pick up a H&R 45/70 for $250. I think it only has an 18 in barrel? Regardless its pretty compact and doesnt get caught up on much, their cheap ($250) and pack a hell of a punch. Thats what I carry when im ridin and have a tag in my pocket.

[bearpaw]

You can always pick up a H&R 45/70 for $250. I think it only has an 18 in barrel? Regardless its pretty compact and doesnt get caught up on much, their cheap ($250) and pack a hell of a punch. Thats what I carry when im ridin and have a tag in my pocket.

That is a great bear round. 

Sounds like a 357 would work but only with the right load and alot of practice, maybe Ill just wait til I can afford a bigger revolver.  Until then I guess I'll just carry my xd for defense and hope the bear is still in the area after I go get my rifle.

If you really want to hunt bear with a pistol I would consider trading up to a Contender, they make excellent hunting pistols due to their design and longer barrels. But your .357 is certainly good enough for protection at closer ranges. Try shooting groups with it at 10 yard intervals and you will know what your effective range is.