[diggsbakes]

Would love some suggestions on .357 hunting ammo. Don't know if I'm gonna be toting a .44 mag on every camping trip this season and the SP101 usually rides everywhere with me, so what are the best .357 mag hunting loads (Bear defense) available from the factory?

I'm extremely comfortable with this firearm and heavy loads. Open the suggestion box!

P.S. I know there's probably a thread somewhere here that addresses this, but I know ya'll are dying to input.

[CA357]

This is what I will be using in the Sierra's this Summer: Ammunition To Go : 20rds - 357 Mag Corbon 200gr. Hard Cast Ammo [HT357200HC/20] - $26.95

[diggsbakes]

Guess I coulda found that pretty easily, but then I wouldn't have been keeping us busy.

Maybe I'll alternate them with some heavy soft points in the cylinder and speed-loaders.

[CA357]

I hope to not have to try them, but if I do, they're coming out of my 6" GP100 and should have some punch.

I'll also have my '94 Winchester .30-30, but it isn't much of a bear round, even with 170gr. Hornady Lever-evolution's.

[Ruzai]

Would you consider a heavy cast bullet a better defense load against a bear or something like the LeveRevolution's from Hornady?
I been wondering what would be a good bear defense but just hadnt asked the question.

I've heard you need a good heavy cast bullet that can break through the heavy bone and skin to get to vitals instead of a hollow-point, which makes sense but what about the LeveRevolutions because those are my primary pick 357 and 44 magnums.

[CA357]

I'm not a hunter. Perhaps the hunters here could help. Why don't you post that question in the hunting forum.

Personally, I'm just going by educated guess, since I haven't hunted in more than forty years. I'm going camping, not hunting, but just in case.

[spittinfire]

I'd go with a hard cast lead bullet, 158gr or heavier. Something along these lines...

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

[c3shooter]

Spittinfire has good choice. And that 30-30 lever is going to have a lot more chance of dropping a bear than a .357. The 30-30 is putting out about 1827 ft lbs at the muzzle, a .357 with a hot 158 gr is about 520 ft lbs.

[diggsbakes]

Originally Posted by Ruzai

Would you consider a heavy cast bullet a better defense load against a bear or something like the LeveRevolution's from Hornady?

In my mind if shot placement is generally in the torso or head, then the deep penetration of a hard cast bullet would be desired, if you were to hit the beast in the neck or appendages, then you might want a more expanding bullet. Then again, I'm not much of a hunter, mostly just a shooter.

I'll most likely alternate in the cylinder and hope in the rare case of a dangerous encounter that one of them does the trick. In 20 years of camping/hiking/biking/skiing in the Rockies I've only encountered 2 bears. (knock on wood)

[CA357]

That Corbon Hunter 200gr. round was measured at 1150ft. out of a 6" barrel. Here's a link to the Dakota Ammo web page: 357 Mag 200gr COR®BON Hunter HC | COR®BON/Glaser Self Defense | Dakota Ammo