.357 round suggestions

I

Irish B

New member
.357 round suggestions (Bears, Lions, etc)

Hi. New to the forums. Just a quick question. I live in the heart the Colorado Rocky mountains. I'm an experienced gun owner and i just picked up a ruger sp101 .357 mag for home protection. Home protection for me is animal attacks. I live in heavy bear and lion country. A year ago I had a 260 lbs male black bear break into my house while i was asleep. It tore my kitchen apart and scratched at my closed bedroom door. The only gun i had with me was a .22 long riffle. Not the gun of choice for any kind of dangerous animal. I've had three more attempted break ins from another neighborhood bear since then not to mention daily visits for the past 3 months probing for garbage (which is locked away safely). Two days ago I found the remains of a deer carcass just down the 'road' and had fish and game come by to tell me we have a large male lion in the area (which takes care of my bear problem!). Anyway my first line defense is my 120 lbs Husky/Wolf hybrid and my 110 lbs German Sheperd (which have been extremely proactive thus far in keeping bears away save for the close calls) as well as my 870 shotgun always loaded with 3" riffled slugs but the shotgun is not something i want to carry with me every time I take my dogs for a walk or walk down to get the mail. What would you suggest as far as loads? I'm not too concerned with human intruders and I know the odds of ever being attacked but as i have a family i'd like to be prepared. Would a 180 gr HC work fine for bear and lion? I imagine that would punch straight through even a large lion. I'm not looking to open the can of worms that is "Can a .357 take down a bear?" I'm just looking for suggestions on what would be the best bear/lion load. Thanks in advance!
 
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reload? Penn Bullets

If buying, buy BuffaloBore.

If making, make them with "...minimum 200g, .400", 1000fps..."

OKay, you can't make the 357 bigger, but you can still get a 170--200g bullet in a case, that fits your cylinder, that probably won't jump its crimp (Redding Profile Crimp Die), that starts at over 1000fps.
Recommend a bullet offering the widest meplat.

Suggest 3N37 and N350 as propellants. CCI500. New sized cases ONLY.
 
Welcome to The Firing Line!

Another bear thread..... :(

Heavy, hard cast RNFP or SWC driven at a high velocity are generally considered best. With the SP101 you will be limited to how fast you can push a heavy bullet. I'll suggest a sling for the shotgun or a heavier fram revolver if you want to rely on a firearm. Bear spray is most likely the best for a first response. I haven't read anything about its effectiveness against cats, but they have eyes and noses to hurt too.

Cats are ambush predators. It's not likely you'll have time to get a gun or pepper spray if you are their intended target. Trust your dogs.

For those that are not aware, a SP101 is a smallish (by Ruger standards :)) snubby revolver. The barrel might be 3" but is probably 2". Maybe the OP will tell us which he has.
 
Sorry for the bear thread but this is a 'practical / it actually has happened to me thread.' The Sp is a 3" . . . but still i dont want to get too wild with the load of else i'm going to have an unruly bottle rocket coming out the end of my gun. A loud voice has always been my best defense for any marauding black bear and I've never had any real cougar trouble till now. I know if an aggressive cat was after me i'd have little time to do anything but pray. I have bear spray but this is worst case scenario. I've already met my odds by having a bear break into my house and the odds of a bear or lion attack are little to none. Prevention is the best defense and like i said my noisy dogs and my loud voice is my best protection. This is a "if you were attacked by a lion or bear and had a .357 mag and had to choose one load what would it be" question. As i know i'll never actually have to fire my weapon at any of these great animals it's more of a which load would give me more peace of mind just in case!
 
not just me

My load suggestion was determined by experience, having manufactured ammo in the past for similar (or worse) scenarios.



FWIW, I have 'wandering' black bear in my yard. In fact, it's a freakin' menagerie outside....
 
For anyone who's wondering by the way the conclusion to the bear story is i fired off five shots out the window with the .22 to try and scare him off . . . which had no affect whatsoever! When i heard him back in the kitchen i opened my door and started speaking louded and clapping and walking towards him (not the best idea but i had just worked a 12 hour shift and was tired and grumpy). . . to which he just turned and ran out the (busted) door he came in.
 
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Weshoot2- I looked at that Buffalobore heavy 357 at 1400 fps and that seems like it would get the job done
 
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"Buffalo Bore heavy 357" Sir I think you have found the answer to your question. Or you could check out the hardcast Double Tap .357 loads.

Best of luck!
 
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For hiking in the Cascades of Washington,

I carry either a Security Six 4" or my GM .45

Asked the Sierra tech's wha tis recommended they indicated that a HEAVY bullet at max controlable velocity is what they SUGGEST for reloading.
e.g.: for the .357, using a 180gr FMJ at good velocity to PLOW thru heavy pelt and skin.
And a .45 FMJ for the GM
Also recommended a commercial Federal load of 180ge HARD CAST lead

Have a dwindling box of Hornady's 230 gr FMJ - FP [flat points] that horndy indicated would be good for carrying.
Fortunately, haven't needed to use those, just keep a good ear out and avoid.

Others will have valid suggestions.

Remeber it's all about PLACEMENT, not spraying.
 
I think a good 158gr softpoint would do the trick as an all-around cartridge. I've seen it kill hogs, which are basically the hardest animal to kill here in Fl, imo. Cheaper Than Dirt has a 180gr "bear load" advertised as well.
 
Irish,

Your 870 and 12 gauge slugs are fine. Good bear medicine and I'd rely on that more than anything.

But for your .357, well the answer has been posted already!

Federal Cast Core 180 gr hunting ammo or Buffalo Bore would dispatch them.
Click to expand...

One of the best .357 loads available (if not the best!)

Buffalo Bore Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 180 gr. L.F.N. -G.C. (1,375fps from a 4 inch, at 1300 from a 3 inch!)

If I every go to Alaska, or back to Colorado in the summer, my Mossie 12 with Brenneke Black Magic 3 inch slugs. Get this... 600 GRAIN slugs at 1500 FPS. Man that is gonna hurt.. at both ends!

Deaf
 
For home protection against dangerous aminals, I'd want something bigger than a 3" 357.

But if that's all you have - I'd 2nd (3rd, etc.) the 180 gr Bufflalo Bore load!
 
Yeah i've got Federal Powershok 1600 fps 3" riffled slugs. Just a little bit of kick behind them :D


I've lived here 16 years and have hiked all over this state and never felt the need to wear a side arm but i think with all the close encounters we've been having lately it'd be foolish not to have something. The biggest problem we really have are roving packs of wolf/dogs and coyotes.

So it looks like Buffalo Bore 180 it is. Thanks a lot guys. I just hope someone never breaks into my house because their going to have the option of either a bear slug or the buffalo bore load.
 
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If you can't find BB 180g right away, just head down to Walmart and get some Remington SJHPs. They are pretty hot. 125g is claimed 1400fps.
 
I also think that if you are in fear of bear attacks, you would be foolish not to carry your shotgun down to the mail box. As you note, there is no one else around to notice. Why the apprehension ?

I doubt you will enjoy shooting Buffalo Bore 180's out of the 101.
 
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