big enough

[MuggyMan]

It's been at least 5 minutes since I checked my cc to see if hit for elk draw; while waiting thought I would throw out a question I've been pondering on. Had a guy who has harvested more than a few bears tell me that 357 Magnum won't kill a black bear. So, is he right? Or is it just a matter of finding the right load/bullet?

[GreyGhost85]

.357 would do a fine job at killing a black bear

[.270]

Works fine when one is up a tree. Not much use for a long shot. Just because something says magnum it doesn't mean much. A .357 is considerably inferior to a .30-30. Lark

[Edge]

I choose to carry a .357 pistol for black bear should i encounter one with a bad attitude.

 

Have a .357 rotary rifle too with an 18" barrel. Some good penetrating 158 gr jacketed rounds leave the barrel at close to 2,000 fps. That's a big, fast slug for a bruin.

I'd guess the effective range would be 100-125 yards. At 100 yards, still doing over 1400 fps. Don't forget, .357s come in rifles too.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/05/chris-dumm/lever-action-ballistics-30-30-vs-357-magnum/

[kidso]

A .357 mag should do fine on most black bears at 10 yards.

[roninflag]

i have harvested 3 deer , 9 javs , coyotes and foxes with my .357 revolver. no bears. get some experience . you will get your answer.

[MuggyMan]

A .357 mag should do fine on most black bears at 10 yards.

So what about 11 or 12 yards?

[5guyshunting]

 

A .357 mag should do fine on most black bears at 10 yards.

 

So what about 11 or 12 yards?

Pepper spray.