I'll be elk hunting in western MT this fall. Am I undergunned with my G100 in a chest holster? Reading up a bit it sounds like the available factory bear defense loads are pretty good. Anyone use .357 in griz country? Which ammo do you prefer?

IF you would have to shoot a charging griz a .357 would not be a good choice. It has worked with lucky shots. If that's all you have a good lead 180 gr. SWC might do.
Everytime I go in dangerous game country I carry my .475 Linebaugh, but a .44 Mag with heavy bullets would be an alternative.
A lot of guys are using 10mm autos, but want to go heavier. Whatever you choose make sure you can shoot it well, rapidly, and accurately. Bears won't give you a time out!

Thanks Larry....I'll be with at least 2 other guys and they'll be carrying .44s....I just don't see me practicing enough with a .44 to make it accurate in my hands.

Any bullet that gives you more then 16 inches of penetration in 10% ballistic gel well work just fine.

It is far more important to have a handgun you can shoot well then caliber.

It is also very important to have the mental mind set to shoot the bear and place your rounds well.

https://www.ammoland.com/2021/...-cases-97-effective/

The data base is now close to 200 cases and it is still 97 percent that handguns are effective in bear defense.

The major factors are having a gun, the willingness to use it and being able to hit your target.

Good advice pdog.....really interesting article too.

Great article. I can's seem to calculate how 1 failure is 37 cases equals 97% success rate though(?)

The article mentions 104 cases.

What 37 cases are you referring to