Camp gun for black bears

[PJgunner]

Well, my choice would be something bigger than the .357 mag. but if your friend can keep his cool under what could be severe stress, then the .357 should work. if it were me, and I was using the .357, I believe I would load up a good stout load with a hard cast bullet. In my "N" frame .357 mag (S&W M28 6" barrel) I use the Lyman .358156 cast gas check bullet over 14.0 gr. of Alliant #2400. (Caution MAX load)
I don't know if you know what a 38-44 cartridge is, but it was the forerunner to the .357 mag. A very hot loaded .38 Spl. with ballistics similar to the law enforcemenr plus P plus ammo. back in 1958 or 59, I had to shoot a Black bear with the 38/44 S&W Outdoorsman that came into camp (church outing over the 4th of July) and decided one of the women in the camp was going to be dinner. Two fast shots behind the ear put an end to the bear's mischief and is was a long drive to get to the nearest hospital for the young lady.
Now a shot behind the ear will do the job but a frontal facing shot requires some serious shot placement. Shhot too high and the bullet could glance off the bear's skull.
FWIW, that 38/44 load delivered an estimated 1150 to 1200 FPS. It was a stout load.
Paul B.