Can you kill a bear with a 357 mag?

Answer 1

A 357 magnum can kill anything, but it is hardly ideal for any big game hunting, and I would not want my life depending on it. Minimal to me is the .44 magnum, and any properly rigged .44 magnum pistol is a joy to shoot.

I bet if you hit the bear in the eye it would drop. The problem is being accurate, like if the bear is running all shifty. Better have more than one person with a gun around. At least someone with a rifle or slugger. I wonder if you could tazzer a bear?

Answer 2

My uncle told me that years ago his friend was at his cabin when a grizzly approached him. He shot it 6 times with his 44 and ran to the cabin, locking the door. As he grabbed the 30/06 of the wall mount the brown bear crashed through the door and he finally shot it dead. However, there are better ammo options now and i would also be confident with my Springfield Armory XDm10 10mm 5.25 inch barreled auto loaded with 15+ 1 Underwood 140 gr CNC machined solid copper Penetrators at 1500 fps/750 ftlbs. Also Buffalo Bore 180 JHP 1350/738. Shot one into a steel ammo can full of gravel. It opened up to just over an inch!

Answer 3

Yes the .357 will kill a bear but you better aim at the head or his heart/lungs.

Answer 4

It is possible. You need to be very lucky. It would not be my chosen defense. Bear Spray works better. For a firearm I would prefer a 12 g pump shotgun with slugs.

Answer 5

If the shot is properly placed, yes.

Answer 6

after about the 7-8th shot