"Best for Bears" caliber poll

I live in bear country. I've had black bears in my back yard. When out in the woods, I usually carry my Colt Woodsman.

I said .45 ACP, since that is the biggest caliber I have, but I would actually probably take a 9mm BHP.

Poll is missing some good ones like the .480Ruger, .475Linebaugh and .500Linebaugh.

I voted .44Mag but it would have to be properly loaded with a 330gr-355gr LBT at 1200-1300fps. A .45Colt loaded with 335-360gr LBT's at 1100-1200fps would do as well. The best penetrator is the .475Linebaugh loaded with 430's@1200-1300fps. Or a .500 with bullets of similar sectional densities. The .480 almost gets there with 425's@1150fps.

Wouldn't take an X-frame if it was free.

Fun poll.

My choice would vary depending on likelihood of seeing a bear, and what bear. Hiking around here where I know there are some blackies somewhere that I've never seen? 10mm (because I carry that a lot, anyway).

I'm in Alaska and want a back-up handgun because I'm either hunting browns (with a rifle), or am going for salmon at the same time of year the bears are going for salmon?

.475 or .460.

I said .357 Mag, mainly because my S&W 13-3 the best woods gun I have. A really hot Buffalo Bore 180 gr. hardcast would be my ammo choice. My G23 would have to sit this one out.

Now, we only have little black bears in Michigan, so I'd be fine with my .357 but if I was headed to brown bear country or (gulp) Alaska, I'd be looking at a bigger gun.

Jealous. I want a S&W 13.

I have a GP100 blued 4" that works great, though.

The only brown bears within a thousand miles of me are in zoos and circuses. I figure my 10mm is sufficient for even a fairly hungry black bear.

My vote is on .454 Casull. It's one of the few handgun calibers that's been proven to reliably stop a charging bear. If I were to choose, I'd have a Ruger Super Redhawk (regular or Alaskan) in .454. There seems to be a barrier between .44 Magnum and .454 Casull, with the .44 historically not having quite enough power to quickly kill a bear. The .454, being up to 50% more powerful, breaks this barrier.

The black bears around here keep to themselves. There is bear reserve not far from me, so I've encountered a few over the years. I'm not worried about an attack.

I guess since I carry a 9mm concealed daily (really, it is the 2 legged predators that worry me around here...) I have to vote for 9mm?

If I specifically had to go onto the bear reserve knowing I may encounter one (really, why would I?), I'd grab a 10mm. I'd rather take a rifle, but your poll doesn't give me the choice.

Now with those huge beasts you guys have out west, I would ask a local or an experienced hunter. I wouldn't have a clue other than "really bleepin big." Having seen some of the pics on here of some large kodiaks taken by members, I want a rifle...and some distance. The bears here aren't anywhere near that size, but they still look intimidating enough when you see one standing upright with only 60 yards of air separating you.

As far as a pistol caliber goes, since i only have a .44 caplock revolver, that's the one. However, since I have no intent to meet a brown bear, ever, I think I'd almost rather go against a black bear with a spear than a pistol caliber. I've met plenty of black bears, and I'd rather have a long stick with a business end than a pistol which may only piss off a bear anyways. Of the black bears I've encountered, none needed fighting, anyhow.
If brown bears were part of the question, you can bet I'd cheat and have a tube full of brenneke slugs.

Again though, in keeping on topic with the thread, I choose my caplock, but closest thing being .45 colt, that gets my vote.

There are only black bear within reasonable driving distance where I live. My first line of defense will be bear spray but I'll carry a .44 Mag (beefiest handgun caliber I own) loaded with 300gr SJSP. As I understand it, the .44 Mag is more than plenty for black bear but, had I the funds I'd buy a .500 S&W because I like overkill. I voted .500 S&W.

Uh yeah, definitely the 9mm...

Where do they get such small hunters?

What kind of bears we talking about here?

Black bears are pretty much harmless unless you do something really stupid. Brown bears are just going to laugh if you point a handgun at them and eat you for spite. Polar bears are going to eat you, your gun, and your truck.

I grew up in Western Montana and still live in Montana. I carry a Ruger Standard Automatic 22 LR that is over 50 years old to shoot grouse with and 2 large containers of bear repellent spray for the bears.

Well, saying "bears" is like saying "deer" and including everything from a Florida Key deer to an Alaskan Moose.

For me it's 50 AE or 44 Magnum. Of course 416 Rigby would be nice.

Brown bears are just going to laugh if you point a handgun at them and eat you for spite.

Click to expand...

Properly loaded, the heavy sixgun gives up nothing on big bears. It's the shooter that must be up to the task. Heavy sixgun bullets at 1200-1400fps have been proven on game meaner, tougher and more than twice the size of 800lb bears.

Polar bears are going to eat you, your gun, and your truck.

Click to expand...

The people up here who can shoot polar bears most often use Ruger Mini-14s in .223 or a rifle in .22-250. And they mostly use sno-gos or 4 wheelers.

I voted for the 22LR because a well placed shot will put down anything, right?

Guess it depends on why I am heading into bear country. If I am hunting bear, I don't bother with a handgun since I have a rifle whenever I am afield.

If I am not hunting and just runnin' around town and the immediate area, whatever I have on my hip (a G17 or a HKUSP45) suits me just fine.