Is the .357 magnum good enough to stop a bear, or will I have to go .44 magnum?

Question

I'm looking for a round (and gun if you'd like to suggest one) that I can take with me when I hike so that in case I run in to a bear I can defend myself. This isn't for CCW, just for hiking, so size doesn't really matter.

I forgot to add, but I live in Pennsylvania, so a black bear would probably be the bear that I encounter.

"What bear? Blacks are not aggressive, and they're relatively small. If you're in Alaska, the 44 mag, or any other handgun, is not going to be a reliable charge-stopper."

Sorry, I forgot to mention what kind of bear I was thinking of. At any rate, even a black bear, if she's with her cubs, could be threat. I'd rather have the gun and have it just be extra weight rather than be dead because I didn't feel a certain bear was a threat.

Answer 1

I do a lot of camping in WV where there are quite a few black bears. I have relied on 357s for a LAST ditch defense against a bear attack but prefer a 625 .45LC or 629 .44 with a 4 inch barrel.
The reason I prefer a double action revolver is because a bear that attacks you is likely to already be on you before you can get any gun into play, they move very fast and black bears tend to stalk their victim or snatch them in their sleeping bags in the rare events when they attack humans. Some are recommending a Ruger Blackhawk but I prefer not to have cck the hammer in the event a bear is already on top of you.
If you use the 357, a 158gr. hard cast bullet is the minimum I recommend and avoid most hollowpoints. A charging bear will be coming at you with its head down and you will need a lot of penetration in such a circumstance to have any chance of the bullet connecting with anything vital. A 180gr hardcast or one of the 170gr Speer softpoints will probably work better than the 158.
It is better to have someone with you, because, as i mentioned, the bear is likely to be upon you before you can shoot. A friend who is also armed will be in a better position to shoot a bear that is attacking you.
Most bears will avoid humans but i understand your concerns. Better to be prepared for the unlikely event.

Answer 2

Back in 1934-1936, Major Doug Wesson killed at least one head of every North American big game, including big bears with a .357 Magnum revolver. Of course, he had a guide backing him with a large rifle.

Even with a black bear, I'd not trust a .357 Magnum to stop a determined attack. (FWIW the .357 Magnum is one of my favorite rounds.) You might be able to mortally wound the bear, but he is likely to have enough stamina to thoroughly ruin your day, and your handsome profile.

My idea of a good bear stopper revolver would be either a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 RemMag with a 5 1/2" barrel or a 4" barreled S&W M-29 or 629 revolver.

There are bigger and more powerful handgun cartridges around, but in my opinion, the .44 RemMag is about the maximum that most average shooters can handle for fast repeat shots. And in a bear attack, you'd damned well better make repeated shots. Don't shoot once and look for effect. Shoot until there is only one cartridge left. If need be, stick the muzzle down the bear's throat and fire the last shot.

Doc

Answer 3

The .357 Magnum is considered 'minimum' backup in bear country. If you have a heavy duty S & W Model 27 or Model 28, I'd load the hard-cast lead 180 grain 'Hunter' Federal rounds in it. These would also do in a pinch in a medium frame S & W 586 or 686, or Colt Python. Use them sparingly in the medium frame revolvers, or just use the 158 grain semi-jacketed soft point or hollowpoint. If you have a Model 19 S & W, forget it; the frame won't take the beating of the heavy 180 grain bullets for long.

If you are buying a handgun specifically for bear country backup, just get the .44 Magnum. The Ruger Super Blackhawk, Redhawk or the newer S & W 629 Stainless, or a good used Model 29 S & W. You might as well get it with the six inch barrel, too. Same thing if you're buying a .357 Mag. Look for one with a 6" barrel.

H

Answer 4

Yes black bears can be aggressive and no they aren't all small. I have killed two black bears in Arkansas' Ouachita Mountains. One weighed 425 pounds and the other topped 500. The one that weighed 425 pounds was stalking me, had I not I had a weapon I would have been mauled.

Making noise is a good idea, but sometimes that noise is just a dinner bell ringing for a bear.

A .357 mag with a 6 inch barrel will kill a large bear but not with one shot and it wont drop instantly no matter how many times you shoot it. I watched a black bear tear apart everything in sight after being shot in the head with a 30-06

I use to carry a 44 mag, but when the 500 came out I switched. I know they aren't cheap, but can you really put a price on your life? No!

Answer 5

As a shooter I own a variety of handguns I do have a Ruger GP 100 6" barrel .357 and a Ruger Super Redhawk 9 1/2" barrel .44 mag. Both handguns work well no malfunctions and have power.
Around here in Minnesota we have some friends that had trouble killing a deer with a Colt Python .357 6" barrel. When I show them the power of the .44 mag they are starting to buy .44 mags as well.
With more target practice with my .44 I have gotten faster on the draw and of course hitting the target better. The .240 gr loads I fire through it dont even bother me. I would suggest when looking at a pistol hold it in your hand and see how it feels and if your comfortable with it.

Answer 6

A .357 will kill a bear, however it will do so quickly only under ideal situations. By your question you will be hiking and want " insurance " incase a violent encounter with smokey. I would not risk my life on a smaller less powerful round. Under a stressfull situation you will not be able to shoot strait let alone make a vital shot on a charging bear. I suspect that you take advantage of every asset you can. A missplaced shot with a .44mag is much more devastaing than a misplaced shot with a .357. A little insurance goes a long way. In what ever you choose, take some classes by proffesional shooters who can induce stress in a shooting situation for you. Then you can have a small feeling of what it may be like if the situation ever ever BEARS itself.

Answer 7

Depends upon the kind of bear you expect.

A 357 can handle the little brown bears but for anything much bigger than that, you need more power. My view is it is better to have too much gun than not enough.

Ruger invented the Super Redhawk Alaskan specifically as a trail gun to handle bears. It will shoot the 454 Casull which will stop anything in North America. If that is too much for you to handle, you can either load down the round to something more to your liking or you can just load 45 Colts. Or you can get it in the 44 mag, The down side of the 44 is you can not shoot anything cheaper.

Answer 8

Since someone mentioned AK.

Not sure what the difference would be in Pennsylvania. I would assume if the bear is gnawing on you, you have a right to shoot it.

http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=bears.bearfax
Firearms should never be used as an alternative to common-sense approaches to bear encounters. If you are inexperienced with a firearm in emergency situations, you are more likely to be injured by a gun than a bear. It is illegal to carry firearms in some of Alaska's national parks, so check before you go.

A .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate weapons if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.

State law allows a bear to be shot in self-defense if you did not provoke the attack and if there is no alternative. But the hide and skull must be salvaged and turned over to the authorities.

Defensive aerosol sprays which contain capsicum (red pepper extract) have been used with some success for protection against bears. These sprays may be effective at a range of 6-8 yards. If discharged upwind or in a vehicle, they can disable the user. Take appropriate precautions. If you carry a spray can, keep it handy and know how to use it.

Answer 9

A .357 would work fine for black bear. I would recommend a S&W 65 or Ruger GP100, with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. Round that I would recommend:

CCI 170 grain JSP Gold dot
WIn. 180 grain JHP Partition

If those were unavailable I would then look at the various 158 grain JSP. The key is shot placement and adequate penetration. Whatever you choose make sure you practice a lot.

Answer 10

A .357 will work fine..I would suggest you use a revolver with a 6" barrel length to get the full muzzle velocity and impact that the .357 magnum is capable of. Of course a .44 magnum will work as well but it is harder to fire several rounds from a .44 magnum "offhand" and maintain your accuracy. The 357 would be easier to control and shoot accurately in an emergency situation.I would suggest a jacketed hollow point bullet of at least 158 grains weight for this....A Smith & Wesson Model 686 or a Ruger Blackhawk (In stainless steel finish if available)will serve you well........