.357 power

Bear spray is kinda like seasonings

Buffalo Bore is likely a good bet. You might also want to check out the 180gr & 200gr options from Littlestone, Cor-Bon, DoubleTap, Grizzly Cartridge, Underwood, & HSM.

What LunchMoney said, me personally i would carry a bigger "wrench" if i was hanging out in bear country, but if 357 mag is the only wrench you got then go with the brands LunchMoney posted.

While eastern bear aren’t usually much of a problem, if a .357mag were the only “wrench” I owned, I’d find a nearby “hardware store” and buy a bigger wrench before I carried a .357mag for bear.

IMO .357 Magnum ammo from Grizzly Cartridges is a too choice. Not only is it powerful but the bullets they use are well suited for large animal protection. They sell a 150gr ammo with a "Punch Bullet". That bullet is very expensive but it's bone crushing.
https://www.grizzlycartridge.com/shop/grizzly-cartridge-ammunition/357-magnum-150gr-punch/
They also sell hard cast gas checked bullet with a super wide meplat. It's very effective.
https://www.grizzlycartridge.com/shop/grizzly-cartridge-ammunition/357-magnum-180gr-wfngc/

I load my own ammo using the bullets from Cast Performance, their sister company which supplies their bullets for the loaded ammo.
https://www.grizzlycartridge.com/product-category/cast-performance-bullets/

Some of the other companies mentioned are also good but I like Grizzly Cartridges and Cast Performance Bullets best.

Edit: I forgot to mention the punch bullets are from Belt Mountain.

ArchAngelCD said:

IMO .357 Magnum ammo from Grizzly Cartridges is a too choice. Not only is it powerful but the bullets they use are well suited for large animal protection. They sell a 150gr ammo with a "Punch Bullet". That bullet is very expensive but it's bone crushing.
https://www.grizzlycartridge.com/shop/grizzly-cartridge-ammunition/357-magnum-150gr-punch/
They also sell hard cast gas checked bullet with a super wide meplat. It's very effective.
https://www.grizzlycartridge.com/shop/grizzly-cartridge-ammunition/357-magnum-180gr-wfngc/

I load my own ammo using the bullets from Cast Performance, their sister company which supplies their bullets for the loaded ammo.
https://www.grizzlycartridge.com/product-category/cast-performance-bullets/

Some of the other companies mentioned are also good but I like Grizzly Cartridges and Cast Performance Bullets best.

Edit: I forgot to mention the punch bullets are from Belt Mountain.

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What is a "Punch bullet"? There's no description at that link.

fxvr5 said:

What is a "Punch bullet"? There's no description at that link.

Click to expand...

Here is a write-up on Gun Blast about the bullets and ammo, they explain it better than I can.

https://www.gunblast.com/Grizzly-Punch.htm

https://www.gunblast.com/BeltMtn_PunchBullet.htm

What every you get, get enough to practice with before your do battle with the bruins. If you're sighted in for moderate power 158gr 357 Mag from big three manufactures and you suddenly load up with 200gr super power bear-thumper ammo you might not be hitting anywhere near your original point of impact. You cannot shoot a powerful enough cartridge to stop a determined bear attacks with loud misses. You will be better off shooting ammo you know you can shoot well with, then trying to amp the power up out of your ability to shoot it well.

I lived in North East Tennessee for a while. The most dangerous thing there was not bears but wild dogs, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes. Maybe a big cat on a rare occasion. Pepper spray is not going to help with the snakes so careful where your stepping when out and about.

Wreck-n-Crew said:

I lived in North East Tennessee for a while. The most dangerous thing there was not bears but wild dogs, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes. Maybe a big cat on a rare occasion. Pepper spray is not going to help with the snakes so careful where your stepping when out and about.

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Yes sir, back in the old West the cowboys didn't wear high boots as fashion, it was to help protect against snake bites. Be careful.

Wreck-n-Crew said:

I lived in North East Tennessee for a while. The most dangerous thing there was not bears but wild dogs, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes. Maybe a big cat on a rare occasion. Pepper spray is not going to help with the snakes so careful where your stepping when out and about.

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I think you will find that where ever there are bears, there will always be something that is more dangerous and more prevalent that for some reason is never thought about.

That said, the OP is from SC. They have all kinds of venomous snakes too. I'm sure they will be prepared.

Speaking of SC.....and GA....where I am from, how come nobody starts threads "Good Gun for Alligator Protection"? You know, "I will be golfing down to Hilton Head National next summer. What should I pack in the golf bag to deal with those dangerous man eating alligators while golfing?"

earlthegoat2 said:

Speaking of SC.....and GA....where I am from, how come nobody starts threads "Good Gun for Alligator Protection"?

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Because you guys who live with gators already know what you need to keep them from eating you.

That's right. A golf club.

earlthegoat2 said:

That's right. A golf club.

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FOUR !!!

Gator Threads are not as entertaining as bear threads, especially black bears. The odds are about the same. zero to none

Now all I worry about is Burmese Pythons.

Rule3 said:

Now all I worry about is Burmese Pythons.

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The only way to deal with a python is with another Python.

ooooooooooo nice snake!

I would follow the suggestions above for finding the "most powerful" cartridge. A heavy bullet traveling at a good velocity, with lots of practice. It don't matter how powerful the gun is if you can't hit a vital spot with it (where's a good spot for a "one stop shot" on a charging bear?)

But, I have some thoughts on traveling in bear country. I'm not an expert, but I've read that bear attacks often occur as an "ambush" or happen within seconds of a "meeting". Will you be walking with your gun in hand, cocked and ready? I've read of Cougar attacks where the victim never heard or saw the attack coming, just walking/jogging along a trail and waking up in a hospital. There are black bear and cougar in my area up in the hills from town and I've thought about this subject occasionally. I seriously doubt if I could draw and fire my SBH in 44 Mag. fast enough to save my old butt from a running/attacking bear, so I just make a lot of noise when I think there may be someone in the area that would do me harm...

There were no bears in Compton where I grew up (just dogs, cats and rats), and no game to speak of in L.A. County, so at best I'm a rookie woodsman. Most of my info comes from locals, long time residents/hunters in my area, and my common sense...

earlthegoat2 said:

Speaking of SC.....and GA....where I am from, how come nobody starts threads "Good Gun for Alligator Protection"? You know, "I will be golfing down to Hilton Head National next summer. What should I pack in the golf bag to deal with those dangerous man eating alligators while golfing?"

Click to expand...

You pack your Thompson .45 Iron, of course.