.357 vs .41 Mag for Bear Defense?

[2dswamp]

OK...this question has probably been asked over and over again, but I personally never saw the question or answers...so here we go.

I am not hunting bear. I deer and turkey hunt in bear country. Blackies are fairly plentiful. Yes, I know blackies are usually not aggressive...so please spare me the lecture on Black Bear behavior.

Question: I own both a .357 and .41 mag revolvers. Both are 2 1/2" barrels. Which would you carry as a back-up for black bear protection and why?

Thanks!

 

[The Bushmaster]

41 magnum with the fastest and heaviest load and bullet. There's a company (Buffalo I think) that makes a hard cast lead bullet just for bear. I would use that or a reload comparible to that.

I think I would go to at least a 4" barrel too...

 

[buck460XVR]

Question: I own both a .357 and .41 mag revolvers. Both are 2 1/2" barrels. Which would you carry as a back-up for black bear protection and why?

since it is only for backup and not your main carry, I would take whichever one you were most accurate with. At close range, both primary weapons for deer and wild turkey are probably as much as a deterrent than either snubbie. All the power in the world won't do you any good if you can't hit what you're shootin' at. Just my 2 cents.

 

[T.R.]

I'm no pistolero but can hit pretty good about to about 60 feet with my 357 MAG. But shooting a bear at this distance will result in shiny bracelets and free ride in the back seat of a white Ford Crown Victoria.

I've never been attacked by a bear. Yet I've hiked remote places in Sierras, Rockies, Black Hills, and Allegheny Mts. I've canoed and hiked in rural northern Michigan where bears are common. Springtime is when they come out of hibernation; they look for food all summer and Fall until next sleep cycle. Bears are focused on food and food sources are where trouble is likely to occur. Simply being aware is the first step in wilderness safety.

Either handgun cartridge will stop a black bear.

Grizzlies and Alaskan browns are different animals with agressive temperments. I'd opt for a 12 gauge loaded with 1 oz. slugs.
TR

 

[JesseL]

If you can fire the .41 as quickly and accurately as the .357, the answer is obvious...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Anything that will take a deer will take a blackie.

Phil Shoemaker, who lives in grizzley country and has probably seen as many grizzlies killed as any man advises the .357 with a heavy (180 grain bullet) for grizz defense. His reasoning is that you need a CNS hit, and the .357 may allow you to get off a second shot if you miss the first.

He also points the most important thing about carrying a gun in bear country how it affects you. Your best defense is behavior and body language, sending the message, "I don't want to hurt you, but if you make me I'll hurt you bad."

Being armed gives you the confidence to behave that way.

 

[MCgunner]

The .41 can do anything the .44 can do and I like the cult factor of the cartridge. I sorta want one, not really for bear, just because I like 'em. But, the .357 will do with 180 grain hot loads or even 158 SWCs.

 

[Marshall]

Depends on the gun.

If all is equal, the 41 Mag of course.

 

[Oro]

I went through this last year. I decided on a .44mag, but was willing to take a .41mag if I could find one. Came across a .44 first.

So, I reiterate all of the above, .41mag over .357 all else equal. I do add that you should check out Double Tap's ammo selection - they have some excellent "bear" loads in .357, and .41 I believe, and much more reasonable prices than others. My woods buddy carries a .357, and sometimes I'll pack another one of mine instead of the .44 for variety. Remember: hard lead, gas checked, going fast.

 

[Iggy]

I shot a fleeing Ford Bronco with a .41 mag many years ago... Bullet went thru the spare tire, the tire rack, tail gate, back of the seat, and killed the dash radio.

How does that compare to a blackie?

 

[MCgunner]

That bronco wasn't attacking you? Jeez, cruelty to fords, though I can't say I'd want one or care anything about 'em, anyway...

 

[Iggy]

It attacked me... flipped me up onto the hood and off onto the street.

Caused me to lose my wad of chewin' t'baccy on the windshield. That later proved I was there....

 

[22-rimfire]

Since I like 41 mag revolvers, I would suggest the 41 mag because they will likely penetrate more deeply and have a higher likelihood of breaking a bone than a 357. (I like 357's too.) I'd buy the 250 grain solids that Federal sells and not worry about anything on the gun end of things.

If you were going to buy a 41 and already had the 357, I'd say, use the 357 with 180 gr solids. If I were making the choice with my own firearm accumulation, I'd pack my 4" Smith Mountain Gun as my backup and not a 357.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I packed a Taurus tracker in .41 mag in bear country last summer. I had it stoked with 240gr platinum tips.

 

[ursus americanas]

It is my general understanding that for bear hunting (yeah I know you said you aren't hunting them), the gold standard is 200 grains at 1000 fps. If this is good enough for hunting them, then it sure must be good enough for defense.

That said, 41 mag fits the bill, and .357 is a little on the light side. Personally, I do hunt black bear, but I do it with a .338 win mag, not a handgun! But the gun on my belt should all else fail is a 4 inch 44 mag.

If 200 grains @ 1000 fps will do it, 300 grains @ 1300 ought to do it and a half!

 

[Stinger]

I'm not even sure why there is a question...41 magnum.