.357 Ammo for Backpacking

[AmoAgave]

He also says that a black bear is more likely to view a human as a potential meal than a grizzly. A grizzly is more likely to view a human as a threat or competitor. Not to say grizzlies never attack and eat humans - just which is more likely to. Hence the instructions to fight back if a black bear attacks you versus playing dead if a grizzly attacks. Also, the advice to make noise, look as large as possible and try to scare off a black bear versus slowly backing away from a grizzly or wearing bells to let them know you are coming.
Just passing info along from a guy who has spent 20 years studying bears.

Thanks, now I'm going to be scared of Black Bears when I hike. I never heard the meal thing about them.

[Carcassonne]

While I realize that .44 mag is the best caliber to have for protection against bears and other predators, ...

No it isn't. It might be on paper, but in real life there are many variables.

I can't think of any place in California where you will need more that two metal pans to bang together "for protection against bears and other predators" assuming you mean animal predators. And that's based on 50 years of camping and backpacking throughout the state. So from that standpoint, id does not matter what ammo you use or even if you carry.

This horn may also work. It is loud, and requires no compressed air or batteries. You do have to blow in it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOAT-MARINE-USCG-APPROVED-SAFETY-BLASTER-HORN-WHISTLE-120db-SUBMERSIBLE-/360966851552?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item540b4d0be0

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[AmoAgave]

A little interwebz research is telling me there has never been a fatal black bear attack in California. Is this accurate? If so I'm going to go back to worrying about mountain lions.

How do black bears behave around dogs. 85 pound range. Deterrent or does it make them more aggressive?

A short rifle acceptable to carry?

[P5Ret]

10 seconds of Google will lead you to info that bear attacks in Ca are rarer than lottery winners.

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/News/Bear/Bear-Incidents

Black bears are fairly timid from the examples I've encountered over the last 40+ years of camping and hiking in the Sierra's, that is a grand total of 3 I've seen while on foot. Yosemite is a different scenario since the camp grounds are a buffet line for nearly all wildlife in the park. There is a much better chance of wandering into someone's grow operation while hiking then seeing a bear. This doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared, after all we all carry a spare tire in the car, but it's a thin line between prepared and paranoid.

[NapalmCheese]

Thanks, now I'm going to be scared of Black Bears when I hike. I never heard the meal thing about them.

You never heard the meal thing because the only person to ever say that is some random person that some random forum poster supposedly knows.

[Ronin2]

7" Kabar 'cuz I have visible abs

And CalGuns member "Greater Fool" lives up to his self chosen moniker once again...

Why so serious

Cuz I actuially DO have visable abs....

[Bad Caselaw]

Hi All,

I'm thinking about carrying a .357 mag revolver with me while hiking and camping (where legal).

While I realize that .44 mag is the best caliber to have for protection against bears and other predators, right now the .357 is the only option.

Which ammo would you recommend that will be best against large animals?

Thanks,

freedommunitions.com
357 MAG 158 gr. XTP NEW

underwoodammo.com
357 Magnum 158 Grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point




Caselaw

[LMNO]

Wow, lots of good reading. Thank you all for the continued tips, info and responses.

Sorry, I should have mentioned this in the first post but I'll be carrying a Ruger GP 100 4". I've shot a .44 mag before, and while it was fun, I know I can do better on follow up shots in a hurry with the .357.

And yes, I do not reload at this point in time so factory stuff is my only option. I did find Buffalo Bore at Cabela's. Underwood is much cheaper so I'll look into those as well. I did check out the Freedom Munitions link but they seem to be out of stock at the moment, so I'll keep checking back.

Bears are not my main concern; I just want to be prepared for most common scenarios involving wildlife and two-legged varmints. Mountain lions and snakes are what I am mostly concerned about (afraid of lol). I will be buying the bear spray, and if you have any suggestions on a brand/size, that would be greatly appreciated.

[Carcassonne]

A little interwebz research is telling me there has never been a fatal black bear attack in California. Is this accurate? If so I'm going to go back to worrying about mountain lions.

How do black bears behave around dogs. 85 pound range. Deterrent or does it make them more aggressive?

A short rifle acceptable to carry?

I do not know, but they use dogs to hunt black bear in some states (not sure about California), and the bears are scared of them. That doesn't mean a frightened bear won't tear one apart. I would not use a large working dog to hunt bear. I like dogs too much to want to see one killed. Small kick-it dogs, like Chihuahuas, I would use for bear bait.



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[Ronin2]

Sorry, I should have mentioned this in the first post but I'll be carrying a Ruger GP 100 4". I've shot a .44 mag before, and while it was fun, I know I can do better on follow up shots in a hurry with the .357.

Well common opinion is that you can load up almost anything you want in a GP 100 but keep in mind the need to be able to hit your target at the ranges you would expet to engage AND be able to provide fast followup shots. That is all subject to your skill level and commitment to train.

[dozer wright]

Order some Underwood. Make sure you shoot a cyclinder or two before,you need it. Call it a good day. Get a good holster and be careful with your gun. Watched a guy drop a nice revolver off a bridge.

[Griffdog]

I have a 4" SS 357 that I load up with BB 180 Gr hard cast for hikes in CA.

[Calif Hunter]

From the link provided earlier on bear attacks. One of these was at Camp Tahquitz, and the bear was scared away while trying to drag the boy off. I met him and his father a few times in the course of business. When they say more than 100 people, they mean within several hundred yards. The Scout troop was about 20 people in that campsite.

•San Bernardino County, August 1993 – Two separate incidents occurred within three days of each other. In both cases, the bear — or bears — grabbed a child by the head and attempted to drag him away. In each incident, both victims were 13-year-old males and were sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags at the time of the attack. The bear also inflicted minor injuries on three other campers immediately prior to the attacks. The attacks occurred at two group campgrounds approximately two miles from each other and the attacks ended when other campers aggressively came to the victims’ aid. More than 100 people were sleeping on the ground in the immediate area at the time of the each attack. Both campgrounds were either clean or moderately clean. However, the area is interspersed with cabins and garbage is available nearby. Natural foods were available and abundant at the time of the attacks.

Within two hours of the second incident, two bears were tracked with dogs and killed. Both bears were young, healthy males weighing about 200 pounds each. The necropsy performed later indicated that both bears were disease free. Residents in the area felt that the same two bears were observed with a sow the previous summer and that these animals had been feeding on garbage and handouts.

['ol shooter]

Wow, lots of good reading. Thank you all for the continued tips, info and responses.

Sorry, I should have mentioned this in the first post but I'll be carrying a Ruger GP 100 4". I've shot a .44 mag before, and while it was fun, I know I can do better on follow up shots in a hurry with the .357.

And yes, I do not reload at this point in time so factory stuff is my only option. I did find Buffalo Bore at Cabela's. Underwood is much cheaper so I'll look into those as well. I did check out the Freedom Munitions link but they seem to be out of stock at the moment, so I'll keep checking back.

Bears are not my main concern; I just want to be prepared for most common scenarios involving wildlife and two-legged varmints. Mountain lions and snakes are what I am mostly concerned about (afraid of lol). I will be buying the bear spray, and if you have any suggestions on a brand/size, that would be greatly appreciated.

They sell it in big cans over at The Stockade in O.C.

[LMNO]

They sell it in big cans over at The Stockade in O.C.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll stop by and check them out. Might just walk out DROSing anew toy

I have the Buffalo Bores in cart ready to buy. I also came across these:
HSM Bear Load Handgun Ammunition. The guys who purchased the .357 caliber ammo seem very satisfied in their reviews. Any experience or opinions on these?

I may end up ordering the Underwoods as well, just so I can compare ammo. I do need to get a good holster. Gonna start looking around for a decent leather one. Also thinking about getting some Hogue grips for a more low-key look.