I'm rather impressed by the overall velocity/energy figures attained by full-charge 140 & 146-gr loads in .357 Mag. Speer's 146-gr JSWCHP can be launced almost as fast as the 125-gr bullets, and at higher velocity/energy than the 158s. Their 3% Antinmony cores are nice and hard.
As a "something far better than nothing" load for bear, I'd lean toward that bullet weight. Even with the slightly less favorable BC, the high speed/energy keeps it hitting as hard as the 158s out to about 125 yds. Admittedly, that's not as much of a factor for avoiding a bear's bad breath in your face.
I'm a bit leery of using .357 SIG for bear medicine unless I'm using a nice hard FMJ. Has there been any load development for .357 SIG in the 147-gr weight? I'm skeptical about it being able to beat the .357 Mag. with those pills. Anyone know if I'm off base here?
BTW, I get 1350 fps with the Speer 146s, out of a 6-inch S&W, using a max charge of 296.
As a "something far better than nothing" load for bear, I'd lean toward that bullet weight. Even with the slightly less favorable BC, the high speed/energy keeps it hitting as hard as the 158s out to about 125 yds. Admittedly, that's not as much of a factor for avoiding a bear's bad breath in your face.
I'm a bit leery of using .357 SIG for bear medicine unless I'm using a nice hard FMJ. Has there been any load development for .357 SIG in the 147-gr weight? I'm skeptical about it being able to beat the .357 Mag. with those pills. Anyone know if I'm off base here?
BTW, I get 1350 fps with the Speer 146s, out of a 6-inch S&W, using a max charge of 296.