G
Guest
Guest
Is the 357 mag good enough to wack a black bear with say at 25 yards?
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,602
- 0
A 44 or bigger is sure better insurance!
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,461
- 12,204
No. 44 Rem Mag or bigger.
JD338
JD338
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,764
- 4,493
Not for me 41 mag or better yet 44 or even 500.
Bob Milek the old handgun hunter and editor of Guns & Ammo magazine once thought the 357 mag was OK to use on black bear until he bounced 4 or 5 rounds of hot loaded hard cast 158 gr semi-wadcutters off ones head from almost point blank range then he put one in it's ear as it lunged past him to kill it. He would carry nothing less than a 44 mag from then on.
The 357 mag in a revolver with at least a 6" barrel is at best a 75 yard and closer white tail deer tool. It is best with 180 gr bullets like the Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot.
I have killed deer with a T/C Contender with a 10" barrel in 357 Mag with the Hornady 180 XTP and 13.5 grs H110 out to 107 yards with no problems. You get quit a bit more velocity out of the closed breach longer barrel of the Contender though.
The 357 mag in a revolver with at least a 6" barrel is at best a 75 yard and closer white tail deer tool. It is best with 180 gr bullets like the Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot.
I have killed deer with a T/C Contender with a 10" barrel in 357 Mag with the Hornady 180 XTP and 13.5 grs H110 out to 107 yards with no problems. You get quit a bit more velocity out of the closed breach longer barrel of the Contender though.
