Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska .357 good enough backup for POW bear hunt?

Given the right bullets, I don't see an issue with a 357, particularly on black bears, even huge, fat black bears. I'm far better at fast follow-ups shooting super-heavyweight bullets in 357 than I am shooting larger, more powerful rounds. And with the right bullet, the 357 has plenty of penetration. I long ago came to the conclusion that if you pick the right bullet, and can put it where it needs to go, you can do just fine with far less firepower than most would believe. I keep on repeatedly proving it to myself and those I hunt with.

Would you rather get slammed by a black dick or a white dick. Now there are different sizes of both.....not everyone is built the same. A heavy 357 might do better than a light 44. As always, it depends on the operator.

I remember someone's mantra 'round these parts.....

Placement, boolit, cartridge.

Have bear hunted POW, now elk/deer hunt in griz country, and a lot of training indicates the EFFECTIVE transition from long gun to handgun is sketchy under pressure.

Have to agree with MOST of the posts here. If you don't kill it with the long gun, chances are it will be eating you before you can do anything other than die.

HOWEVER...I do know a young man that saved his own bacon last spring while shed hunting up East Fork. Had a .(borrowed) 357 mag, was attacked in creek bottom by sow griz, she was happily chewing away when he managed to put a couple 357 mag rounds into her, one of which took took her out. I know the young man that was with him, the G&F Officer that was first on scene, and saw the photos of his extensive injuries. He is one lucky guy.

So, take from that what you will. I always consider the handgun a last resort, just like that young man.

What can you hit with I'd say. Probably something like Buffalo Bore HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN with the 180 grain cast. The need being to drive deeply through bones into vitals. I look at the front of a bear, lots of heavy bone and tight muscle.

This is and area I don't know. Giant black bear. But I think I'd prefer a 41 mag with a 265 grain WFN cast. Like Buffalo Bore HEAVY .41 MAGNUM OUTDOORSMAN.

Fermin will hook you up.
https://www.facebook.com/fermin.garza.7

I’d get a 45 colt

I just remembered to check this thread and got as far as your post, Jeff, but apparently once again we are similar. 😁. When I hunt with a rifle I’ll carry my Ruger 22/45 for grouse and general duty. When fishing, collecting wood or other chores that preclude the carrying of a rifle I carry a Glock 20 with either 200gr HC or 220 hardcast. As accurate as my 22/45 is and considering how well I shoot it, I don’t feel under gunned when I carry it.

That is what I brought with me to Alaska with Buffalo Bore hard casts. If I make it up there again I would probably take the same caliber again.

No

POW is full of amazing people but I'd be more worried about a methhead than a black bear on the island, especially in May.

Sadly true😁 Always worried I’ll return to a truck missing an exhaust.

Exactly. Can’t say I have ever worried about a black bear. Meth heads be riding though.

Came around a corner on an old POW logging road and ran into a large bears first dump of the year!!! Looked at my little 308 and then back at that giant pile of crap and thought holy hell I'm under gunned!!! It was quite impressive and a bit intimidating!!! I be t the bear was quite "relieved"! Don't forget a wolf tag if it's open while you're there.

That 180gr Buffalo Bore looks like serious medicine for the .357! 780 ft. lbs. But there is no replacement for displacement. If I was hunting with a pistol I'd be packing my Redhawk loaded with hard cast. As for packing a pistol while hunting with a rifle on POW, no. If I was going along as a packer for someone and I didn't want to tote a rifle or to just have camp protection I'd be OK with the 357. But with the opportunity to snipe a wolf while bear hunting I'd rather pack a rifle.

Placement and Penetration trump displacement

+1

Ok,,,,, I've been doing alittle home-work on this Post, as I liked that .357 that -[mainer]- Posted-up, and it got me to thinking, so here is a comparison for you guys to look at, and since I pack a S&W 329PD .44Mag, that was the catalyst for this train of thought......
let me know your thoughts, or Not.....
Lj

I don't know if I understand your question. I carry a S&W 60 3" .357 at times, a S&W 329PD at times, and a 4-5/8" barreled super blackhawk at times. Neither of the S&Ws are fun to shoot. The little Ruger is peppy but mostly manageable ... I carry it when I intend to shoot, I carry the others when I hope not to shoot but don't want to be without a gun.

Tom

T_O_M,,,, Ok, not really a "Question", but more of an Observation if you will, as I said I liked that little .357 Ruger that -[mainer]- had posted about, but after my study on that possibility, it was clear that the S&W 329PD was the better choice, ie... 6-Rounds of .44Mag, physically about the same size, same Bbl length, and somewhat less weight to carry, again, just an actual comparison to what your pack-in,,,,, ie... the least amount of weight, with the best terminal performance....
Lj