Unless you hit the bear in the brain, a 357 does not have the power to stop or dissuade a bear.
there are pepper spray cans that are used to stop a bear attack.
Normally bears will only attack if they are surprised, so carrying small bells to ring so the bear hears you coming and runs away is better than dealing with a scared bear at close range.
East of the Rockies? Maybe.
Big browns or Grizzlies? Any thing is possible... but the locals keep a 12 guage and slugs handy.
Even with a 500 SW you have to hit the beast... and these big bears can sprint like Carl Lewis on a good day.
If all I had was a 357 I'd be looking for some heavy loads and good hardcast bullets...then I'd become an expert in bear avoidance - you don't want to be in a position that makes saving a bullet for your self is the last alternative.
Depends what kind of bear.
And almost garunteed you will have to use more than one round.
For a grizzly or brown bear I have heard stories of people unloading 6 or 8 round of 357 and the bear still makes it up to the person and lightly mauls them before it dies.
Consider pehaps a can of bear mace. If the bear is blinded
1.) it cant see you or smell you cause of the mace so how can it maul you
2.) you wouldnt have to kill a bear that was in its home territory. You are the intruder in their habitat.
Try your best to avoid killing any bears bro hammer.
Maybe. I would want something a bit more robust... like a 12 gauge. But that's just me. :)
"A .22 can stop a bear if you hit it in the right place "
Good luck with that. Would you mind naming me the beneficiary of your insurance policy? LOL!
A .22 can stop a bear if you hit it in the right place so I bet a .357 could stop him
