I will be packing a 357 mag with me during archery season. What would you suggest a load for bears, just in case?[]

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I would use my old bear load: the Keith .358429 semiwadcutter (173-grain bullet) cast of hard lead, or heat-treated, and 14 grains of Alliant 2400 powder. I have fired this load through grizzly bear heads and it penetrated about 6" into the ground after going through the bear' s heads!! Shoot them on the end of the nose as they approach you. The bullet will travel through the nasal passages, and enter the brain. Instant bear kill!!

someone else on here said it best... you don' t have to out run the bear just the person hunting with you.

eldeguello hit it right.......

Use heavy, hard-cast lead bullets for bear-type critters.............many bear guides won' t even take you out unless you' re packing something in that line. Federal makes a 180gr hard cast lead hunting round in .357Mag that is perfect for this type of application.

What you do is lube that 357 Mag up real good with bacon grease. That way when you run out of ammo you can throw it at the bear and it may be distracted long enough by the smell so you can get away.

if looking for a load and not some smartass comments then i reccomend a 173keith and about weight bullet, at some speed. the gun can still be a comfort (mentally) even if its not the top choice. then again dont forget 2 legged predators

This is just what you need! Take a look at the 200 gr. load, and keep in mind that these ballitics are from a 4" barrel. This load is much heavier and much hotter than the federal one.

http://www.corbon.com/357magnum.html

with all due respects my friend....this is one guy that considers the .357 Magnum to be among the most worthless handgun cartridges ever develoged.....

It' s certainly not a bear gun and I' d far prefer a larger diameter bullet (.44 Special, .45 long colt) for defence.....

the .357 WORTHLESS? Man, you must be the ONLY one that knows anything about guns that thinks that...
I agree with the others that suggest a hardcast, heavy-for-caliber bullet for penetration...... remember, with bears, you would possibly shooting thru a pretty heavy coat of fur before actual damage begins... and the .357 is pretty light for bears, so the more penetration you get, the better.
I also would not suggest using a handgun smaller than .44 or .45 Colt for bears.... ON PURPOSE. However, using one as self defense only... last ditch kind of thing... a .357 is WAY better than a sharp stick. If all you have is a .357, then load it with a heavy, hardcast bullet (or, perhaps the 180gr jacketed silhouette bullet) and go for it. I' d practice with it a BUNCH before going out with it.... make sure I could hit where I was aiming, and do it quickly...
good luck with it.......