boysda
We've got a prety decent bear population here in NW Arkansas. I took my first bear season before last during muzzleloader deer season. (bear season open at some time)
Snakes aren't that bad here in NW Arkansas, as least not compared to Louisiana....LOL Around here, a bigger concern is the wild hogs. AKA Razerbacks. I carry a stub nosed Tarrus 357 loaded with +P for that reason. You sure don't want to run into a sow with pigs!!!
As far as alternating ammo goes, I agree with the others ....not a real good plan! And Bulzeye is spot on......If you must do that, make the first shot your snake load and load the rest for bear. I assure you that one snake shot load of #6 or #8 shot from a 44 or 357 mag will put a woopin on any snake within 10 feet of you.
As the others have said, a better plan would be to have a second gun. At 12 Yrs old, I think your son should be old enough to pack & handle a pistol. Pick him up a Tarrus 357, so he can shoot both 357 & 38. Have him practice with both. Both of you will need to practice a LOT!!!
The fact of the matter is
Bears are FAST.....VERY FAST!!! I shot my bear behind the shoulder with 50 Cal muzzle loader at 20 Yds.....mortally wounded
he covered 25-30 Yds in just about 2 seconds before piling up. Now, you do the math on that.....
it's about 35 MPH.
As you mentioned,a black bear will in most cases try to avoid you. You would be much better off firing that snake load into the air and hopeyou frighten them off. Where you are at most risk is if you surprise them or come between a sow and her cubs.In either of thesecases you are probably going to be in a close 25-50 yard situation.
If the bear charges, you damn sure can't outrun them, so the bottom line then becomes,
how many "controled andaccurate" shots can you getinto that bearin the 2 to4 seconds it takesit to cover 25-50 Yds?
Load for Bear (like Bulzeye recommended).....Practice, Practice, Practice.....but most of all, hope and praythe bear chooses to avoid you!
firstshot
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Make your first (second & third & fourth...LOL) shots count!