Will be fly-fishing in the Michigans penisulas, what to load a CPL for..

[jjrothWA]

any encounters with Black Bear?

Have previously carried a RSS in .357Mag with Federal 180gr Hot Cast lead bullets, and occasionally a 1911A1 with hardball ammo


Thanks.

[lyman]

I thought the rule of thumb was to carry a small 22 or 25, and when the bears shows up hungry and you need to leave, shoot your fishing partner in the knee so you can out run them?




joking aside, what's wrong with just carrying the Ruger again?

[jjrothWA]

Well, he packing too, but he asked about ammo for the .40S&W.

Talked to Sierria Tech and he had no recommendation.

Seems that buffalo bullets and other have a 200 gr HOT CAST lead load for this type of endeavor.

Hiked in the Stevens Pass area of Cascades, with the RSS and never had a problem. Would like to keep it that way.

[lyman]

I'm no help, 357 will take care of any bear here, (just Black Bears, they do get big, but not like a Griz)

[barretcreek]

Heaviest hard cast flat nose you can load in that caliber at 950-1000 fps. .729 is recommended diameter, .38 will do.

[Art]

If you handload your load is a good choice, folks who don't might try 158 gr. semi jacketed soft points. They are pretty rigid because of the jacket, have minimal expansion, therefore good penetration.