.357 mag load for bear

Originally Posted By: CatskinnerI'm going to Glacier Nat. Park later this summer and I'm wondering on a load for my colt python. Any ideas?

I doubt that you will see any bears there (I haven't anyway) but if there was a chance that I might be going through the digestive system of a bruin I would want something with more steam than a .357 Magnum. I would want at least a .44 Magnum shooting full house loads. There are some heavy .357 loads out there from companies such as Buffalo Bore but they are still on the mild side for bear. And besides, as fine a weapon as the Python is it is a bit on the fragile side compared to a lot of other .357's these days. Still, if that was all that I had I guess that I would opt for a hard cast 180 grain load and hope for the best. A well placed shot would stop a bear but I'm not sure that I could make that well placed shot if I was getting charged by a bear and crapping my pants all at the same time.
 
Yea I reload rifles mainly but I'm set up for handguns too. I thought a 357 would be a solid choice. But maybe I'm off on that so I'll look around. I keep hearing people say a .45acp was used on one in AK a little bit ago to kill one, so I figured the 357 could handle it. But I do appreciate the thoughts. I just never get a chance to use the python so I thought it might be a reason to fire her up again before the trip. I have a couple months yet. And I can't have to much for those beasts.
 
Somebody may have killed one with 45acp, but I'm bettin he was wishing he had something bigger.

I agree with RustyDust, I'd take something bigger if you have it. If not then a big, hard cast would be my choice.
 
By all means take a gun, I would. I'd also get the largest can of UDAP bearspray they sell. Read up on their site. If you are going semi remote I'd have it on your chest.

If I saw any bear & it was in range, I'd note the breeze & spray it.
 
I am pretty sure it is very illegal to take any firearm there. And even more illegal to shoot anything.

Just stay in your vehicle and drive away from any bears or bison.

Jack
 
Originally Posted By: Jack RobertsI am pretty sure it is very illegal to take any firearm there. And even more illegal to shoot anything.



That changed in 2010. You can now pack a firearm in the park.

But, studies have shown pepper spray is a better defense than a gun on a charging grizz.

If a person did need to kill a grizzly bear in the park, I can't even imagine the paperwork and BS you would have to go through.
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I took my .357 with me last year on our trip to Montana and Yellowstone. I realize that a .357 was not ideal for bear but I also didn't want to buy a gun just for that purpose. I took the Buffalo bore with me.

We also carried a can of bear spray.
 
As has already been stated, I would favor solids that maximize penetration and internal damage. You aren't going to knock a bear off their feet with a 357, so all you can hope for is causing massive internal damage that bleeds the bear out quickly. I would drive it as hard as possible, but obviously you have to stay within he load limits for revolvers.

Hornady makes a 357 spire point specifically for hunting handguns. I used to use it in my 357 Remington Maximum. It's like a 158 grain or something like that. That's where I'd start.

Compared to rifles, no handgun is really adequate for bears, but with that said the 357 is certainly better than nothing.

Grouse
 
Since you already have the weapon, and while I agree that something bigger might be best, if you can find some, look for some CCI Speer Lawman Series 158gr SP .357 ammo....

When our department first changed over to the .357, being on the Pistol Team, I was assigned to put on some demonstrations for the 4H Hunter Safety program and was shattering concrete blocks at 25 yards with that ammo...



When we dropped revolvers in favor of semi-autos, I wound up with several hundred rounds of the stuff...Love it for hard core shooting...I should probably add that this stuff is not for wimps when it comes to recoil...
 
Originally Posted By: ScalloperMake sure you grind down the hammer on that Python before you take it in bear country
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Might wanna think about removing the front and rear sight too.
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Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: ScalloperMake sure you grind down the hammer on that Python before you take it in bear country
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Might wanna think about removing the front and rear sight too.
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And last but not least, if you have a close encounter, remember to save one for yourself. You'll need it.
 
Seriously, as mentioned above, research good bear spray, and buy it, and carry it. It is more effective at stopping bear attacks than firearms - 60-some% for firearms and 90-some% for spray IIRC. It takes out their eyes and air - that'll slow down about anything alive. Then carry the biggest firearm you can handle and shoot well too.
 


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