Ruger SP101 Bear Round?

[acnewman55]

Just picked up a Ruger SP101 3 1/16" bbl in .357 mag for a sidearm to carry for defense while hunting/backpacking/mushrooming.

I've seen a lot of rounds out there for bear defense, starting around 180 and up to 200 for the .357 mag - though it seems like most folks are recommending them for a 4" barrel on a GP101.  I realize these heavy rounds will be harder to handle in the smaller framed SP101. 

Just wondering if anyone had any experience shooting these heavier rounds from the 3 1/16" barrel, and/or if anyone had a recommendation for a bear defense load in the lighter SP101.   

[superdown]

This is what i carry when bow hunting if i grab the girlfriends j frame. It will sure wake you up at the range  https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

[Biggerhammer]

Factory ammo?

Federal "CastCore" or Cor-Bon "Hard Cast" would work fine for you.

[mountainman]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

[acnewman55]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Even a very good hunter can find themselves in an unintentional situation with wild critters once in a while. I've been there.. Done that. I got between a sow and her triple clubs once. An uncomfortable feeling to say the least. Even a bluff charge will scare the label off my fruit of the looms! 44mag was in hand that time. But I too pack a lighter SP101 on occasion. With the shorter barrel you really need to drop in bullet weight as there just isn't enough barrel to finish the powder burnout with the powders used for heavier bullets in longer barrels. A hard cast 147gn - 160gn lead RN or even ball (jacketed round nose), will develop more terminal velocity and have deeper penetration than most SWC or especially HP bullets in 357mag short barrel velocities.  For a bear at close range with what most would term as a slightly under powered handgun/cartridge combination, you're looking for penetration to the boiler room, spine or an ear/eye shot. Under the throat for a neck/spine shot would also be acceptable as a severe deterrent to further aggression. Leave the heavy bullets to longer barrels.
 
Just my 2cents.
 
-Steve

[westsidehntr]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

  Hey watch out your sarcasm is dripping all over everyone!!

[Biggerhammer]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

Ah Hahahahaha!

[actionshooter]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

[carpsniperg2]

A good solid 158+ would be my pick

[mountainman]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

Lol...wasn't meant as a jab to you carrying a handgun..I always do myself.and used it several times in defense. Just pointing out the reality that the odds of needing it are, in reality, very slim. Often, hunters find themselves in less then favorable situations by not being attentive in country that bears inhabit. By your comment, you seem to take it personal, which wasn't my intent. Apology if I offended you.

[Bofire]

  carry your 101 in a pork chop holster. let the bear eat it then start shooting! of course you have to hang on to the pork chop!
Carl

[Biggerhammer]

carry your 101 in a pork chop holster. let the bear eat it then start shooting! of course you have to hang on to the pork chop!
Carl

 

[acnewman55]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

Lol...wasn't meant as a jab to you carrying a handgun..I always do myself.and used it several times in defense. Just pointing out the reality that the odds of needing it are, in reality, very slim. Often, hunters find themselves in less then favorable situations by not being attentive in country that bears inhabit. By your comment, you seem to take it personal, which wasn't my intent. Apology if I offended you.

nah, no offense taken.  it's good advice.  probably not more than a few folks on this entire forum that ever had to use their sidearm in the woods against an aggressive critter. 

at the end of the day, the sidearm helps me sleep better in the woods - doesn't mean you should safely store your food/trash in a tree and take care to prevent attracting bears, just nice to know that you have the "just in case" box checked.

[mountainman]

Agreed..been charged by 2 bears and one cougar. Still here to talk about it..but that is offset by being under 50 yards of litterally hundreds of bears back when I guided for them, so the odds are slim..but yes, sleep better knowing I am prepared as best I can at all times..never go in the woods without a sidearm..

[ICEMAN]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

Funniest post of the month award winner here...

[demontang]

I carry 157-158 gr rounds when bear hunting never thought twice about it not being enough

[follow maggie]

Best defence is staying alert and observant in bear country..

good point, i hadn't thought of that.  i WAS planning to romp through the woods blindfolded with earmuffs on.

this time, I'll try very hard to not be attacked by a bear.  then i'll carry the gun as a backup plan in case my efforts fail. 

thank you for the post.

That's funny, I don't care who you are

[fisheral87]

Even a very good hunter can find themselves in an unintentional situation with wild critters once in a while. I've been there.. Done that. I got between a sow and her triple clubs once. An uncomfortable feeling to say the least. Even a bluff charge will scare the label off my fruit of the looms! 44mag was in hand that time. But I too pack a lighter SP101 on occasion. With the shorter barrel you really need to drop in bullet weight as there just isn't enough barrel to finish the powder burnout with the powders used for heavier bullets in longer barrels. A hard cast 147gn - 160gn lead RN or even ball (jacketed round nose), will develop more terminal velocity and have deeper penetration than most SWC or especially HP bullets in 357mag short barrel velocities.  For a bear at close range with what most would term as a slightly under powered handgun/cartridge combination, you're looking for penetration to the boiler room, spine or an ear/eye shot. Under the throat for a neck/spine shot would also be acceptable as a severe deterrent to further aggression. Leave the heavy bullets to longer barrels.
 
Just my 2cents.
 
-Steve

I'm trying to make the same decision.

Steve, for example, you would prefer say Federal's 158gr JSP vs. Buffalo Bore's 180gr hard cast round out of the sp101 3 1/16?

I don't reload so I am trying to work with factory options.

Thank you,

Al

[Stein]

Buffalo Bore is what I carry in my 357 which is backup to my bear spray.  When I did the research I found the hard cast hot loads are basically tailor made for bear - get the most penetration you can from what is arguably an undersized load.

[splitshot]

   ac,  where did you get your sp101 and how much was it?  mike w

[acnewman55]

   ac,  where did you get your sp101 and how much was it?  mike w

I had been looking for a while.  Ended up getting it at Outdoor Emporium in Seattle.  $510 with my membership. It's the spurred 3 1/16" barrel.

[AWS]

Get the most powerful load you can find.  As a renowned tiger hunter said when asked about recoil of a 12ga sxs Howda Pistol, " When your arm is up to the elbow in a tigers mouth recoil is irrelevant"

[Stein]

This is what i carry when bow hunting if i grab the girlfriends j frame. It will sure wake you up at the range  https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

That is what I use in the LCR although I wonder what would hurt worse - a bear bite or cranking 5 of those off.

[superdown]

This is what i carry when bow hunting if i grab the girlfriends j frame. It will sure wake you up at the range  https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

That is what I use in the LCR although I wonder what would hurt worse - a bear bite or cranking 5 of those off.

Well it sure takes some getting used to. gloves really help.She wanted a semi auto so we sold her j frame and got her a kahr cw 40 so i will pick some of this up and see if it is accurate. http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=125_182&product_id=607

[BiggLuke]

All you really need for your SP101 are .38 specials.
Either the noise from the first shot will scare off an interested bear.....
or.....


you save the other 5 shots to stick in his mouth when he's on top of you.
Works just fine..

 

But no... seriously... all you really need is a .22lr.
Cause if a bear is going to attack you, you just need one .22lr round... to shoot your buddy in the leg with as you high tail it out of there. The bear will be more into your friend at that point.

 

Sorry, couldn't help myself...
I actually pack the hydra shocks.
Because of thier explosive bullet expansion, in a pinch I want that bear... or human... to have a piece of his ass gone if it actually comes down to game time.
Plus, the low recoil makes them super acurate comparitively.