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NBaron



Joined: 29 Jan 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 11:58 am    Post subject:  

I am thinking about taking my next Black Bear with a 357 Mag. I will be in a treestand
with a 25 yard shot or under. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on this subject. With a properly placed shot is this adequate ?? Thanks in advance for any info.
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BigE



Joined: 29 Oct 2003
Posts: 241

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 1:35 pm    Post subject:  

I have not taken a bear with a handgun yet, but I have friends who have. None of them have used a 357. Only 44 mag or 454.
I have been told that a 357 will not due adequate enough damage.. but i do not know how true that is.
I, personally, would go with something a little more powerful.
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mister_venison



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 134
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:07 pm    Post subject:  

Most bears around here only go about 250 pounds. There are some big ones out there, one taken a few years ago near my house went over 500 pounds. They did some real world testing on walrus with the .357 before it was introduced, and it performed admirably. One of those things where I'm sure it will kill a bear, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have a little more energy, such as a .44 or so.
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Scottyboy



Joined: 26 Dec 2003
Posts: 20
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 8:05 pm    Post subject:  

If you are taking a 357 for bear, hope you have some good hot and heavy hand loads and you better take 2 pistols and a back up tied on your arm.Maybe a grenade also.
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mister_venison



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 134
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:53 am    Post subject:  

Where are you Wisconsin guys from? North, central, south? Are bears big pests by you too? We had one scratch up a good deer blind, and break off a good apple tree. A buddy of mine had one follow him home from bowhunting! Wouldn't run away. That's a little spooky.
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Scottyboy



Joined: 26 Dec 2003
Posts: 20
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 1:27 am    Post subject:  

In the south west part of Wisconsin ,the only bear I came across yet was a Chicago fan.OK I had to throw it in.Anyway ,no I myself have not seen a bear around hear but if I was to go after them I know it would not be with a small pistol ,but thats just me.As much as they may seem to just lumber around in the wild (not around here)they can break out for no reason and kill your *** before you can say .357.
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Scottyboy



Joined: 26 Dec 2003
Posts: 20
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 1:29 am    Post subject:  

In the south west part of Wisconsin ,the only bear I came across yet was a Chicago fan.OK I had to throw it in.Anyway ,no I myself have not seen a bear around hear but if I was to go after them I know it would not be with a small pistol ,but thats just me.As much as they may seem to just lumber around in the wild (not around here)they can break out for no reason and kill your *** before you can say .357.
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mister_venison



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 134
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 9:47 am    Post subject:  

The only case I've heard of a black bear charging around here was one that already had been shot 5 times in non-vital areas with a .243. If you're on the ground with dogs, definitely go bigger, but you're in a 25 ft. stand with a solid rest on a stationary or walking bear, and can choose the shot...then it would probably work pretty well. I can't imagine a .357 shot to the heart/lungs wouldn't cleanly kill a blackie, but it never really hurts to have a more powerful gun when going after any bear.
_________________
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[ This Message was edited by: mister_venison on 2004-02-01 08:50 ]
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Scottyboy



Joined: 26 Dec 2003
Posts: 20
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 10:05 am    Post subject:  

And you Mr. V., what part of this great state do you hang your hat?
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mister_venison



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 134
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 9:38 pm    Post subject:  

I am from north-central WI. Don't live there right now, but hopefully soon I'll be back. Stuck in Madison, hoping the concealed carry goes through. I get up there any chance I get, especially in fall!
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RRIES



Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 66
Location: WI/MT

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:08 am    Post subject:  

I have been a large fan of 357. I have used hard cast 180 grain for 250lb pig and even shot one through the head. I have used 158 grain gold dot and have never recovered one. I know this is not a black bear but theses pigs have been around 250. Hope this helps. Keep us informed I would sure like to know how it goes
So with all these WI people here I have a question. How many years does it take to get enough brownie points to go hunt one. ::-k
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147 Grain



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 385
Location: Utah

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:19 am    Post subject:  

158-gr. Gold Dots perform very well out of my 357 Mag. Another round to consider is Winchester Supreme 180-gr. (Nosler) Partition Golds, which would be my first choice.

180-gr or 158-gr. soft points ought to work too.
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