Byron, Phil tested the 357 with his chosen ammo and felt it would work. The bear that I am aware of that Phil used a handgun on in defense is the 9mm
Phil and I had some discussions on these boards about handguns fir bear defense. Phil felt that a handgun wasn't going to stop a bear unless a central nervous system hit and he felt that one needed a pistol with low recoil that could be shot quickly My knee and only bear defense with s pistol was with a 475 Limbaugh and it flattened the bear with a body shot
