Let's talk defensive REVOLVERS for bears...

41 Magnum is a good choice. As in the 44 Mag. I carry a 45 Colt and 250 grs hard cast wad cutters. Hope I never have to use it.

I'm assuming you're referring to lower 48 grizzlies, in which case my answer is .44 mag, because it's what I have.

But I did buy that Redhawk partially because of the potential of a grizzly encounter during a camping/hiking trip to Grand Teton NP (and future visits elsewhere in Grizzly territory). So why the .44 mag? I didn't think I'd be any use at all with a larger caliber such as .454 without some serious range time (more than I could afford financially as well as timewise). And finding a strong enough revolver and appropriate factory ammo for either a .45 lc or .41 mag seemed more difficult.

For black bears, I'd be happy with a .357 mag with say a 180gr hard case bullet with performance in the upper ranges.

Kodiaks? I'm not sure any handgun would make me feel comfortable.

Polar Bears? To them, we are food. I'm not interested in going into their territory at all.

Off topic a bit but: During our trip we did see one grizzly, grazing about 100 yards away from the road. Other tourists were present outside of their vehicles, taking photos. I slid the van door (no window) open so my wife could get some shots with her camera. That bear started to get nervous and made a beeline for the cars to our right, increasing speed as it went. But as it got closer it got even more nervous and turned our way, at a dead run. I had been ready to slide the door closed, but as that bear hauled its butt in our direction (we were the front most vehicle parked up), I couldn't get that door closed fast enough! It was maybe 30 yards away when I started to close the door. It couldn't have been more than a couple seconds after that when we saw it run across the road in front of us, maybe 15' from the bumper. It was obviously scared, but man did it move! Terrifying really. And then I found out the passenger window it ran right past was down.

Or, Lord - another "what gun for bear" thread. I just closed one less than a week ago because, predictably, it neither stayed on topic nor offered anything new on this beaten-to-a-pulp topic. I'll let this one run until it, too, goes the same route. Those who want even more info (and an awful lot of opinion) on bear guns, would do well to use the search function.

Hi...
I chose the .41Magnum mainly because that is what I carry when I hike in black bear territory and as a back-up gun when hunting black bear.
I generally carry handloads at just below book maximum loadings with either 215gr LSWC or Hornady 215gr HP/XTPs.
Handgun is either one of two Ruger BackHawks or a S&W Model 57.

I have other options in .44Magnum, .45Colt and .357Magnum, as well as a .375SuperMag, but the revolver I usually reach for is chambered in .41Magnum.

MrBorland said:

Or, Lord - another "what gun for bear" thread.

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I know.......

I was trying to think of an silly argumentative response to keep things interesting.......

Like......... I'd carry my Taurus Judge with the sure grizzly stopping Hornady Triple Defense .410 revolver ammo!

Yep, yep!

Well, when I read the thread title I was gonna ask first, what was the bear going to use it for?

Again?

I hate myself for voting.

I happen to have two 'bear' guns... S&W 629-1 4 inch .44 Magnum and Ruger Super Blackhawk 'Lipsy' 3 3/4 inch SA .44 Magnum.

Yes I know there are more powerful guns but with 305 grain loads these are about as powerful as I can manage.

Deaf

In Black bear country -- and that is almost all of Idaho -- I carry my S&W 57 .41 Magnum. Bought it new in 1980 and it works just fine for me.

L.W.

My choice? 1989 First Run S&W Mountain Revolver 44 Mag.
And yes, I also have a 460 XVR that would be my Last choice.

I chose .480 for the following reasons. It's a relatively mildly recoiling round even when loaded hot, leading to good control. It will sling heavy, large diameter bullets at moderate velocities. It is a round that fits in a "normally" sized revolver, an attribute that leaves both the .460 and .500 S&Ws out of the equation. It will ride on your belt unobtrusively. I've killed some big critters with the .480 and it is a very terminally capable round.

S&W M640Pro with Buffalo Bore 158 gr hardcast SWC Keith "Outdoorsman" plus P load.

Best,
Rick

You left out the ne plus ultra...

Although not listed above, to vote on, I believe either Ruger or Freedom Arms, once made a 45-70 SS SA with a 7 1/2" Barrel. I handled one in a shop, way back in the day, so I know they exist. That would work for me!

JohnnyFlake said:

Although not listed above, to vote on, I believe either Ruger or Freedom Arms, once made a 45-70 SS SA with a 7 1/2" Barrel. I handled one in a shop, way back in the day, so I know they exist. That would work for me!

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It was more than likely a BFR. Neither Ruger nor Freedom Arms has produced a revolver large enough to encapsulate the .45/70. There have been a few companies over the years that built single-action revolvers around the .45/70, but BFR (Magnum Research) is still building them. In fact I have one and believe it or not it's a great revolver. I wouldn't use it for backup duty however, as it's just too big for that.

No .410 option???

MaxP

I chose .480 for the following reasons. It's a relatively mildly recoiling round even when loaded hot, leading to good control. It will sling heavy, large diameter bullets at moderate velocities. It is a round that fits in a "normally" sized revolver, an attribute that leaves both the .460 and .500 S&Ws out of the equation. It will ride on your belt unobtrusively. I've killed some big critters with the .480 and it is a very terminally capable round.

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I had planned to recline this evening with my copy of the Gun Digest Book of Hunting Revolvers and review a few options for one of my next firearm acquisitions, but now I'm going to focus on a .480 chambering, and I trust I might purchase one in a Ruger single action... It would be my sixth Ruger single action and it will more than likely be my first Bisley grip.

n/m

entropy said:

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You left out the ne plus ultra...

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Is that the 600 nitro express revolver? I like it and though I wouldn't fire it it still comes under the nothing like overkill department

The ADEN would do a number on a Tu-95...but that's probably not the revolver or the Bear you had in mind.

MrBorland said:

Or, Lord - another "what gun for bear" thread. I just closed one less than a week ago because, predictably, it neither stayed on topic nor offered anything new on this beaten-to-a-pulp topic. I'll let this one run until it, too, goes the same route. Those who want even more info (and an awful lot of opinion) on bear guns, would do well to use the search function.

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The one thing there isn't a shortage of on THR is threads on bear guns. You guys should be in contact with people that actually have a chance of encountering wild bears on a daily basis and ask them.

If my grandmother is very recoil sensitive is it ok for her to take her 22 when hiking in bear country?