Cor-Bon .357 Magnum 180gr soft point

[heavyshooter]

It's that time of year guys. Between tracking down the elk and reeling in the trout, I will be in some very remote parts of the Rocky Mountains. I recently picked up a Ruger GP100 4" .357 Magnum and I intend to use it to fend off the predators. Any .357 Mag. round will work on a thin skinned cougar, but I am wondering if my Cor-Bon .357 Magnum 180gr soft point will fend off the occasional black bear? Keep in mind we are not dealing with a Grizz or a Kodiak, but I do not want to be underarmed just becasue the bears are slightly smaller.

What do you think, am I adequately armed?

 

[redbullitt]

Not particularly well armed for a bear, but armed. check our buffalo bore ammunition, they make some good stuff. I have no experience with the corbon. I would take that firearm, properly loaded, over many.

Make sure you practice with the heavy loads, you do have six shots if you need them, but probably little time.

 

[Gordon]

Well I carr the old Corbon hard cast 200 grain in my .357 2.5 inch for that purpose. I knew it was so good when I got almost 1150 fps( I can't get more than 100 fps less in my reloads with the same kind of bullet. Their cases extract easily too) averages (1133 ave) out of the 66 with it, I bought the rest of the 6 boxes the store had a few years back.

 

[TomcatPC]

Hello

Thank you for bringing this question up as I have wondered about it myself. I don't own a .357 Magnum yet, but it is in my future plans. I think a .357 Magnum would be a good choice for an all round revolver.

I recall hearing a while back that Buffalo Bore made 180 grain Hard Cast .357 Magnum cartridges that would penetrate a Brown Bear's skull. I think a .357 Magnum would be about the low end of what I'd trust for using on large carnivores in a last ditch senario (I really hope I don't have to kill a bear in the first place).

When I lived in Alaska I did not own a revolver, so I'd go backpacking unarmed and I came back in one piece everytime. I saw a few moose up closer than I wanted to, but not any bears, Brown or Black at a close range. But I think I'd had a much easier time getting to sleep if I did have something with me at the time...LOL. Tossing and turning in my sleeping bag my thoughts turned to the No.4 Mk.I* Lee Enfield Rifle that I left in my cabin...LOL. Needless to say, the "Bloke up Topside" got to know me a little better...LOL. So next time I go back I want to have at least as powerfull as a .357 Magnum. Also thinking of a compact 12ga Shotgun and load with slug, heavy buckshot, slug, heavy buckshot, etc. as well. So thanks once more for bringing this question up, been wondering myslef.
Thanks
Mark

 

[heavyshooter]

Thank you for bringing this question up as I have wondered about it myself.

No Problem. I hope we get some good information.