[98C5]

Is it enough gun? I want to try bear hunting this year, but only have a S&W 44 mag with the 8 3/8" barrel? Would this be enough or should I get a 454?

[strat81]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=314225

[bad LT]

A 44 mag is a decent black bear calliber provided you can shoot the gun well.

I would want something bigger if I were going after brown bears (like a large rifle).

[M'bogo]

Yes its 'enough gun' for bears. Place your shots well and use a bullet designed for taking game that size. Don't load it with 180gr JHP and go looking for Yogi.

M'bogo

[98C5]

I was planning on using 300gr JSP. Will this suffice?

[Kansas Bound]

I believe that a 44 will not penetrate a brown bear's skull. That would make me nervious.

[Triple S]

I believe that a 44 will not penetrate a brown bear's skull. That would make me nervious.

Check out www.garrettcartridges.com and see if that does not answer your questions about a .44 mag penetrating a bear's skull.

[gbran]

I take black bears with a 7 1/2 SRH in .454 Casull, but I would feel very comfortable with the .44 mag. I use a 300 gr XTP. This gives good penetration and some expansion. You need penetration far more than expansion on bigger game.

[M'bogo]

You will be fine with 300 JSP. Just keep them in the heart/lung area and keep your skinning knife sharp. :)

M'bogo

[pinkymingeo]

There are two schools of thought on this. Some guys prefer a really large revolver, like a 500S&W. Much heftier, so when you're empty and throw it at the bear, you have a better chance of braining him. Thriftier guys, who hate throwing away a perfectly good, if useless when empty gun, opt for 44 magnums, especially very lightweight revolvers like the 329PD. Slows you down much less when you're runing for your life.

[Harve Curry]

44-40 kills black bear with a 200gr lhard cast lead bullet at 1100fps out of a carbine. Your S&W 44 mag is good, remain cool and place your shots.

[SFT3540]

The .44 mag has taken large game all over the world. It is up to the task, make sure you are.

Buffalo Bore makes several loads in .44 mag safe for your S&W;
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/images/44270jsp.jpg
300 gr. Speer J.F.N. (1300 fps / M.E. 1126 ft. lbs., Big game up to 1000 lbs.)
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44