I don't hunt with a 357, not legal here. If I did, it would be the heaviest bullet that would chamber and feed in my gun. It would have a wide flat nose and have a gas check so I can drive it as fast as I can. Something like the Ranch Dog bullet http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/TLC359175RF/bullet/sketch.jpg . I don't know if anyone makes a commercial bullet so a mold from one of the mold makers would need to be purchased. Key

 

I reloaded some 180 grain bullets for deer. While a .357 might be enough for a black bear, I would be worried there isn't enough powder behind the bullet to penetrate deep enough into a big bear. If you reload, you can find some big heavy bullets. If not, I would look at the beefiest bullets I could find, starting with Buffalo Bore.

 

The 158 grain xtp's loaded hot with some Lil Gun can get close to low end 30-30 power. Put your shot properly and it will do the job but there are better calibers.

If you are serious about it I can look up the loads. I've made some for whitetail that worked like magic. They are safe but on the upper side of loads.

 

I've had success loading 158g XTPs to 1900fps (out of a 1894 with a 24" barrel, YMMV) with middle of the chart LilGun loads. Accuracy started falling off loaded beyond that speed.

On thin skinned critters such as whitetail they'd rival a 30-30 in takedown, however I'd suspect it wouldnt have sufficient penetration on something like a bear or larger pig.

For those, if 357 is the largest caliber you have available, I'd opt for a heavier lead projectile such as Leadhead's 200g or 205g gaschecked boolit. Out of my 1894 either of those are near MOA at mid 1600fps velocities with 13.6g of LilGun and I would expect do a much better job taking a bear.

Personally, a 44mag or 45-70 would be my choice if I were going specifically after bear.

My .02,

- Tim

 

Get an order in for Beartooth 185's. They are the best you can buy.

Beartooth Bullets Secure Online Shopping They have completely penetrated every deer I've shot them into including one well over 200#. I'm sure they'd work on a bear if he wasn't a giant.

This and 16gr. of H110 makes for just under 1900fps, and eclipsing many 30-30 loads in effect. Several folks use Little gun, but I'm not up on that for this caliber. I am speaking of a carbine. World of difference between this and a 6 inch revolver.

I now make my own.

 

Dr A -

Prior to finding the 200g/205g Leadheads, I used the 185gr Beartooth and it shot very well using the same LilGun load as I use on the 200g/205g boolits. I see that they also offer a 200g boolit as well now. From the picture it looks identical to the 200g that Leadhead offers.

Reason I switched is I only saw about a 40FPS drop in speed (out of my 1894) between the 185g and 200g using the same powder load. In calculating the muzzle energy, even with the 200g running 40fps slower, it delivered more energy.

FWIW, when I tried H110/W296 at the level you describe above in my 24" barrel 1894, I saw a lot of primer flattening along with a couple other pressure signs. Mine shot H110/W296 most accurately at just under 14g (about 2MOA), netting low 1500fps with the 185g Beartooth. I'm curious which 1894 you're using and what kind of groups you're getting with the H110 load.

Thanks,

-Tim

 

Maybe the ranch dog 195 grainers? Or some of the heavier buffalo bore stuff.

 

I've shot the RD175s and RD190s and like pretty much all of his product, they shot great! My only complaint is I couldn't find a consistent supply of them. The one guy I used to buy the RD175s from appears to be out of business and I only had a handful of the RD190s to test (I don't cast... I barely have time to load/test anymore, LOL!).

FWIW, the RD175s ran right at 1700FPS into 1-1/4" 100meter groups using just under 14gr of LilGun.

-Tim

 

.357 is really to light for a bear if you definately have to use it go with the heaviest bullets..... HSM makes 180 Grainers loaded pretty hot see if you can get some of them....

 

I would definately check out the Buffalo Bore loads. They have an 180gr lead load that clocks over 1800fps from the marlin 1894c. I would limit my shooting distance though. I think this is an ideal load in 357 for black bears over bait. Shots are close and you can pick the best angles usually.

 

I have had no problems with that load, and it was recommended by the owner of Beartooth (Marshall). Obviously at one time I worked it up and its safe. I use Skinner sights on mine, and have the 1894C configuration. 357 and other pistol calibers I've tested actually slow down after that initial 18.5 inches when in a barrel. No signs of pressure even with 16gr. I never went higher as that was the "max" I was quoted. The bullet I shoot now was designed by me with Beartooth in mind, and it is only a 180. The Beartooth is 185 that I shot. Quite a bit of the bullet is outside the case. If I remember from many years ago I got 1 inch at 50 yards with that load. By far my best 357 load by far. I do well with 158gr. lead and Unique. I'm more into the rifles even though there isn't that much difference. I also advocate softening the end of the bullet for greater effect, but then I'm not shooting at bears either.

My son did shoot his first buck with this and did it at slightly over 120 yards, and it went down plenty fast. Very convincingly for a 357.

 

If you guys can find it, the February issue of Handloader magazine has an article on loading heavy bullets in .357 for bear. Up to the 200gr LBT flat nose cast bullet. HTH

 

If you load your own and have a Lyman mold # 358156GC (Gas Check), (weighing 163 grains using a Lyman #2 alloy) as I do, this bullet is a favorite of Brian Pearce in Handloader Magazine #267. He writes that "In solid form it is a great choice for general applications, including long range shooting, hunting or busting into the brain cavity of an irritated grizzly!" This is the bullet that my wife uses in her S&W 586 for black bear protection around our home. We also shoot it in our Marlin 1894CS
I load it in R-P brass, with 15.5gr of WW296 and a CCI #550 primer.

Jack

 

The only 357 molds I have are the Lee 158rfn and Lyman 358429 170gr SWC that weights out to 162gr with Lyman #2 lead. The Lee bullet runs way smoother through the 1894c than the SWC does

 

For tree stand bears, I have no problems using the 357. Shots are close and can be precisely placed. I would go with a 175 or 180 cast bullet.

 

Ton of great info and advise in this thread. I have been kicking it around about getting rid of my 450 Marlin and my 45-70 GG and going with the 1894c in .357. The 1894c seems like and all around hunting rifle for North America. Most of our hunting all comes down to shop placement in the end.

 

.357 is really to light for a bear if you definitely have to use it go with the heaviest bullets

I couldn't agree more.....especially with the first part. I've had good success with the 357 mag rifle on deer and pigs with heavy bullets but for bear, I would want something that easily breaks bones in and out. That article in the February issue of Handloader magazine was not the authors promotion of heavy bullets for bear hunting but about finding heavy bullets that might work in his sons 4 inch revolver for bear defense. Seems his son refused to carry a heavier revolver than a 357 magnum.

Personally, if I had a 45-70 and was going after bear, that is what I would have in my hands. As much as I love my 1894C for deer and pigs....it's not a bear gun no matter the size of the bear.