Camp gun for black bears

[Adam Helmer]

A friend asked me if a .357 was "enough gun" for black bears at his camp. I told him since a camp gun is not something one carries about, then why not get a 12 gauge pump shotgun loaded alternately with slugs and buckshot?

My friend was adament he wanted a .357 revolver for "bear medicine." Is a .357 Magnum "bear medicine?" Who has any first-hand input I can convey to my neighbor?

Adam

[Tater]

My Grandpa shot 3 with his .357. I usually keep a 12 guage in my tent for any night-time encouters but a .357 is plenty of gun for black bears.

[Adam Helmer]

Tater,

Many thanks for the input.

If any bear is "snorting in my shorts" then any gun would be enough because I would give him/her all in the cylinder! If I had a choice, I would take the 12 gauge.

Adam

[BILLY D.]

Good choice Adam. Doesn't make any difference whether it is Black or big Brown Bears.

When I Salmon fished in Alaska I always had an 870 slung over my shoulder. If you don't have your firearm close by it is of no use. Peace of mind is very important to me. So is my life.

Best wishes, Bill

[Rapier]

Based on my experiance a black bear and a wild hog are pretty similar critters with the bear being a wee bit easier to bring down. I do not hunt either with a 357 Mag. I have hunted hogs with a 357 Super Mag with 200gr rifle bullets though. Given a handgun choice it would be a 44mag or 45LC in a revolver or the 30-30 in my Merrill.

The 12ga guy is always well dressed at the party.
Best,
Ed

[PJgunner]

Well, my choice would be something bigger than the .357 mag. but if your friend can keep his cool under what could be severe stress, then the .357 should work. if it were me, and I was using the .357, I believe I would load up a good stout load with a hard cast bullet. In my "N" frame .357 mag (S&W M28 6" barrel) I use the Lyman .358156 cast gas check bullet over 14.0 gr. of Alliant #2400. (Caution MAX load)
I don't know if you know what a 38-44 cartridge is, but it was the forerunner to the .357 mag. A very hot loaded .38 Spl. with ballistics similar to the law enforcemenr plus P plus ammo. back in 1958 or 59, I had to shoot a Black bear with the 38/44 S&W Outdoorsman that came into camp (church outing over the 4th of July) and decided one of the women in the camp was going to be dinner. Two fast shots behind the ear put an end to the bear's mischief and is was a long drive to get to the nearest hospital for the young lady.
Now a shot behind the ear will do the job but a frontal facing shot requires some serious shot placement. Shhot too high and the bullet could glance off the bear's skull.
FWIW, that 38/44 load delivered an estimated 1150 to 1200 FPS. It was a stout load.
Paul B.