East coast bear....357 mag or .45apc.

[kym]

Going camping and don't expect any problems but I carry a pistol anyway. So if you had to chose between the two, which do you think would have the best chance stopping a bear. (or should I say which one would piss him off more?)

 

[hey_poolboy]

If those are your only choices I would go .357mag. More energy than the .45acp. Personally I'd rather have a .454 casull. Not much of anything will walk away after being hit by one of those.

 

[Gryffydd]

For East Coast bear I'd prefer something I could shoot accurately AND quickly. That rules the Casull out! The .357 will be plenty I'd you put your shots where the need to go, and is a MUCH better choice than the .45acp.

 

[xanderzuk]

You'd have to do something really stupid to get nailed by a black bear (don't smear yourself in honey and then line yourself in poptart's - it's all they want anyway). I'm not telling you to leave the gun at home (because you're more likely to run into some bad people than aggressive bears), but don't count on needing it for that specific purpose.

Of the two I would probably go with the .357, but what size is it and which one do you shoot better? A head shot with a with a full size .357 will kill a black bear no question.

Where on the East Coast will you be camping? Car camping? Remember, never cook next to your tent, or dispose of food near it. Don't even leave a snickers wrapper in your pocket. Bear bag properly, or safely store the food in your vehicle.

 

[Robert Wilson]

I'd choose whichever one you would use for people, because you are approximately a zillion times more likely to be victimized by a person than a black bear.

 

[Gryffydd]

Neither will stop a bear in his tracks.

That depends on where you hit him. Hitting him there is the hard part.

 

[ColeK]

Take the one you shoot best with the heaviest load you can find.

 

[Gryffydd]

44 Mag minimum I would carry into bear country.

I would be curious what your definition of "bear country" is.

 

[Oceans]

4 inch K frame loaded with 158 grain or heavier hard cast semi-wad cutters will do fine, if you do your part.

 

[sonier]

I do a LOT of horseback riding in colorado, I train and break my own horses, so I see lots of bear on lots of my rides. I have never had to shoot at a bear once I have seen many black bears. A 357 magnum will suffice though, so will a 45 acp on black bear. the 357 magnum has a lot more penetration than the 45 acp. If you are in a scenario where you need a sidearm for a black bear and you have a 357 magnum or a 45 acp at your disposal...... well id pick up the 357 magnum over the 45 acp any day.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Being raised in the mountains of Tennessee I have had my fair share of black bear encounters and 99.9% of the time they are more afraid of you than you are of them. About the only time you would ever have a problem with one would be a Female with cubs present. Rather than worrying about killing one, Invest 5 bucks and get a can of bear mase. It works well and then you havn't killed a bear and have to deal with the game commissioners. Like others said, store your food and trash properly and you should not have a problem. You are way more likely to get attacked from the 2 legged bad animal than a black bear.

 

[hardluk1]

Check out some of the heavy 180 and 200 gr hardcast loads for the 357. BB DT and maybe a couple others sell hotter loads than win., rem, and the rest of the big companies. Those hot loads might stand a better chance at punching thruw those black bears.

 

[oldbanjo]

357 Mag any day. I've had people call a 45 Long Colt a target round and they carry a 1911 with 45acp. They are almost identical rounds. I shoot both in my derringer, just put an o-ring on the 45acp so it will eject.

 

[Psyco Tyco]

how longs the barrel on the 357? the longer the better for bear....cuz truthfully id take the 45 over a 357 snubbie

 

[mjyeagle]

Neither will stop a bear in his tracks. No handgun round will. If Yogi is coming flat out(about 35 mph), you'll never be fast enough anyway. He can cover 100 yards in about 6 seconds.

i disagree their is a long list of handguns 454 460 475 500 these revolvers would have no problem folding up a blackie where it stands i think it is inhumane and irresponsible to shoot a blackie with anything less than a 44 mag get a bigger gun

 

[Waywatcher]

The round with higher sectional density and velocity. This is what physically matters.

I choose .357 with 158 hardcast LSWC. 173, 180 and 200 are good too I just don't have any.

 

[IdahoLT1]

i think it is inhumane and irresponsible to shoot a blackie with anything less than a 44 mag get a bigger gun

Good thing its just your opinion. Countless black bears have been killed with .357's over the years.

I also find it odd that when a person is defending their life, you think that the way they do it must be humane(read: marked by compassion,sympathy or consideration). Is it inhumane to shoot a home invader with a .25acp? If that was their only tool at their disposal, should they just quit fighting because their actions show now consideration for the attacker?

I'm sorry but while defending my life against animals or humans, all bets are off. I'll do whatever I can with whatever I have to ensure my survival.

 

[thunder173]

I live in NE Michigan. I see black bear a lot. Keep a clean camp and you won't have an issue. People are more likely than bear to bother you. Carry the .357......

Just my 2 cents worth.....

 

[Gryffydd]

i disagree their is a long list of handguns 454 460 475 500 these revolvers would have no problem folding up a blackie where it stands

Funnily enough, with those calibers in order to fold up a blackie where it stands, you still have to hit it in the same spots where a .357 would also fold it up where it stands.

"Fold up where it stands" means a CNS hit. Luckily, the .357 has PLENTY of penetration (with the right loads) to reach a black bear's CNS from almost any angle--especially the ones you're likely to get if it's after you.

mjyeagle, you should check out this link: http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/357magnum.htm

 

[Big Bill]

I live in bear country and now carry a 357 Mag. (either my S&W 28-2 or my Colt Trooper Mark III, both have 6" barrels).

Between the two choices you have outlined, the 357 is the best of the two. It should do you just fine. You may want to use this ammo:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

 

[kym]

Back from camping. I saw no bears. I was camping in West Virginia. I believe I would have to worry more about people then bears but just covering my bases. I've always followed the no food where you sleep rule.

 

[kym]

Great article Gryffydd.
"mjyeagle, you should check out this link: http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/357magnum.htm"

 

[22-rimfire]

45 ACP or 357 Mag? There is no question I would choose the 357 mag. Watching the penetration tests on frozen bags of ice (in that other active thread) pretty much made my mind up with the two choices.