No .357 Mag factory load we have sourced carries 1,200 ft·lb for black bear past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes Pioneer 140 gr XPB | 140 | not enough | 1,695 | 178 | yes |
| Barnes Pioneer 180 gr JHP FN | 180 | wrong bullet | 1,655 | 282 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super-X 158 gr Jacketed Hollow Point | 158 | wrong bullet | 1,830 | 226 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super-X 158 gr Jacketed Soft Point | 158 | wrong bullet | 1,830 | 226 | behind the shoulder only |
Fat and hair hide the vitals: aim 4–5″ behind the shoulder and a touch high. Partition / bonded / monolithic. Floor used: 1,200 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.themeateater.com, www.oneoutdoors.org.