Best round for GP100 .357 Magnum

[heavyshooter]

FWIW, there isn't any such thing as a 100% reliable one-shot-stop ammunition.
Yeah, some are better than others and are pretty good in this respect, but anything you shoot once you should expect to have to shoot again, especially a predator. -- goon

Gotcha. This is a good point.

 

[Gunner4h1r3]

I'd have to agree with the others on a heavy hard cast solid load.

When I had a GP-100 with a four inch barrel, I loaded it with PMC Starfires. Although PMC no longer exists I am sure there are a bunch of existing supplies of it out there (the local shop here in Norfolk has tons of them for 15.00 a box of 20)

 

[357wheelgunner]

If you want a real one shot stopper for woods carry, you need a .shoulder fired rifle or shotgun

Fixed.

If you're serious about defending yourself against cougars, bears, rutting elk, or whatever, you need to carry a shotgun with slugs or a high powered rifle.

As a backup handgun, for cougars, cyotes, badguys, or last ditch bear, the 158gr Gold Dot from Speer or Buffalo Bore would be a great compromise. Less recoil than the hot hard cast loads and you will get some expansion in anything you shoot it into.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I had a GP-100 with a four inch barrel, I loaded it with PMC Starfires. Although PMC no longer exists I am sure there are a bunch of existing supplies of it out there (the local shop here in Norfolk has tons of them for 15.00 a box of 20)

Gunner4h1r3,
PMC Ammo is back and I agree, it is/was very accurate ammo. I have a partial box of their 110gr .357 Magnum ammo left over. I hope it's as accurate as it was before it was bought by it's current owner.

 

[AH-1]

if you reload the keith 358429 is one of the best out there for 357 mag imho.
they are just a tad long for my gp100 so you have to crimp on the front driving band forward of the crimp groove.these are a very accurate bullet and weigh in a 173 grs.
pete

 

[heavyshooter]

"If you want a real one shot stopper for woods carry, you need a .shoulder fired rifle or shotgun" -- (unknown author)

"If you're serious about defending yourself against cougars, bears, rutting elk, or whatever, you need to carry a shotgun with slugs or a high powered rifle." -- 357wheelgunner

I would have a little trouble hiking long distances with a Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 on my back. If I were in brown bear country I would make the sacrifice and carry the extra weight. Living in Colorado, the most likely confrontation would be a Cougar or a Coyote. I believe a .357 Magnum and many of the suggested ammo (see above) should be sufficient.