Bush Gun

[The Outlaw Josey Wales]

Hi

I would like to move to Alaska or North West Canada and would like to get a gun or two for protection from bears and other large animals and predators.

I like the Idea of a revolver, single or double action, in the .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum or .45 Colt/LongColt. I would like something relatively inexpesive. Would a .357 Magnum be suficient for something like a grizzly. It seems like the actual projectile is kindof small, but I gues it does have alot of powder in the casing. The thing I like about the .357 Magnums is that Taurus makes afew that hold eight rounds in the cylinder instead of six. If I go with a .44 Magnum I like the idea of a used Smith and Wesson model 29 (made famous by the Dirty Harry movies starring Clint Eastwood) or mabey a Colt Anaconda.

The .45 LC seems like it would be a good calliber. Cabelas magazine sells one for around $280.00 which seems like a good deal.

heres a link to the .45;http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006875213900a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnString=_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder.giftCertificateURL=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Ftemplates%2Fgiftcertificate%2Fgiftcertificate.jsp%3Fid%3D0005586990011a%26podId%3D0005586%26catalogCode%3DIB%26navAction%3Djump%26indexId%3D&_D%3A%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder.giftCertificateURL=+&QueryText=cartridge+revolver&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form9&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=cartridge+revolver&noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jsp

 

[saddlebum]

i thought handguns were a no no in canada.

 

[TallPine]

The .45 LC seems like it would be a good calliber. Cabelas magazine sells one for around $280.00 which seems like a good deal.

Not for grizzlies, unless you get a Ruger (or equivalent) and either handload or buy the higher pressure ("Ruger Only") loads which are equivalent or better than a 44 magnum. The .45 revolver that Cabelas sells will not handle the high pressure loads!

The original .45 LC is a nice cartridge for self defense against two legged critters.

This whole subject has been discussed at length more than once. You will get responses from "no handgun is worth anything against a griz" to those championing various calibers from .357 mag to 454 Casull.

 

[rwc]

Ruger , .454 Cas/.45LC. Gun Tests liked it this month.

I've not shot one but it seems small enough that you would carry it, big enough to make some meaningful holes in whatever you shoot, and uncertain enough of the outcome of the encounter that you'll probably do whatever else you can to avoid one.

 

[stevelyn]

Alaska or NW Canada?

Well you are going to have to make up your mind as to which before any of us can answer your question. The difference between the two are like day and night politically.

 

[loose cannon]

a solution for either nw canada or alaska;a 18"barrel mossberg 500 or remington 870 12 guage pump(slide action)shotgun loaded with the highest velocity rifled slug load available,try to get it in a corrosion resistent finish(eg;duragard ,stainless steel"marine" etc)set it up with uncle mikes detachable swivels and a nice carry sling,but be carefull not to have it slung when yogi comes for you.

ill say what alot are thinking handguns are a poor choice for bears.

 

[Radjxf]

+1 on the above. Rem 870 ext mag if legal, good rifled slugs OR Marlin Guide gun in 45-70. High-recoil pistols + high stress = misses IMO.

 

[ball3006]

Cabela's in Fort Worth....

has a nice selection of S&W 500 revolvers. Pick up a carbine in that caliber to go along with the pistol and you would be all set.......chris3

 

[TallPine]

whatcha wanna bet this thread title gets a lot of attention from certain agents in the employ of a certain govt ...?

 

[Camp David]

I like the Idea of a revolver, single or double action, in the .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum or .45 Colt/LongColt. I would like something relatively inexpesive. Would a .357 Magnum be suficient for something like a grizzly.

One of the issues with the .357 cal in heavy brush country is its relative inability to plow through it if you confront a bear in heavy cover; whereas a heavier .44 or .45 might be more useful and more tolerant of light brush before hitting the target... I would favor the .45 LC for a number of factors:
1. Widespread availability of ammunition
2. Low recoil
3. Easy of reloading
4. Dependability
If you go the route of the new Ruger Alaskan, you can practice and use .45LC rounds and then use .454 if you need the ultimate stopability, yet you sacrifice #2 above. I would, however, recommend against the .357 as too light and unable to handle brush.