Random 8
Member
I'm posting without reading the other replies. I like to do that and go back and see what toes I've stepped on
. Sorry if I'm beating anybodies dead horse, I don't like to do that.
My range and Grizzlies don't overlap. When I have camped in Griz country, I have carried heavier artillery in the form of an lever M99 with 180s in camp, and a .41 on the hip when walking around. If I spent more time in Griz country, I would optimize my choices for this. Now on to what I carry.
My range does overlap the range of Black Bear, Crazy hippie green activist whackadoo, and Meth junkie. I actually did use a handgun in a defensive use Vs a bear last summer....it was an FN 9mm as I wasn't carrying it where a nasty wildlife encounter was expected...When I am walking where wildlife is perceived as the larger threat than the latter 2, I wear a Taurus M66 .357 with a 6" barrel. It's stoked with a variety of loads depending on the situation. Straight up bear/general carry: 158 Speer SP at full power. This is also my deer hunting load for this handgun and a Henry single shot rifle. I know it will expand and penetrate. Campground carry: .38 Spl with the Hornady 158 SWCHP. I am concerned about overpenetration in tight quarters such as this where the neighbors may be sleeping behind nylon or thin aluminum walls. When walking on property where I can hunt or shoot random varmints or plink as opportunity presents, I'll mix in some mid range .158 SWC loads for such activities.
I've found the Taurus to be reliable, accurate enough, smooth enough, for the purpose at hand. A more refined handgun with 2" less barrel might be desireable. I'm shopping for a SW 686 so configured, but can't find one at the moment. AS things sit, I have the Taurus, it works, and I shoot it for practice much more than any other handgun I own. My proficiency on random targets from bunnys to beer cans to extended ranges sometimes surprises myself.
. Sorry if I'm beating anybodies dead horse, I don't like to do that.My range and Grizzlies don't overlap. When I have camped in Griz country, I have carried heavier artillery in the form of an lever M99 with 180s in camp, and a .41 on the hip when walking around. If I spent more time in Griz country, I would optimize my choices for this. Now on to what I carry.
My range does overlap the range of Black Bear, Crazy hippie green activist whackadoo, and Meth junkie. I actually did use a handgun in a defensive use Vs a bear last summer....it was an FN 9mm as I wasn't carrying it where a nasty wildlife encounter was expected...When I am walking where wildlife is perceived as the larger threat than the latter 2, I wear a Taurus M66 .357 with a 6" barrel. It's stoked with a variety of loads depending on the situation. Straight up bear/general carry: 158 Speer SP at full power. This is also my deer hunting load for this handgun and a Henry single shot rifle. I know it will expand and penetrate. Campground carry: .38 Spl with the Hornady 158 SWCHP. I am concerned about overpenetration in tight quarters such as this where the neighbors may be sleeping behind nylon or thin aluminum walls. When walking on property where I can hunt or shoot random varmints or plink as opportunity presents, I'll mix in some mid range .158 SWC loads for such activities.
I've found the Taurus to be reliable, accurate enough, smooth enough, for the purpose at hand. A more refined handgun with 2" less barrel might be desireable. I'm shopping for a SW 686 so configured, but can't find one at the moment. AS things sit, I have the Taurus, it works, and I shoot it for practice much more than any other handgun I own. My proficiency on random targets from bunnys to beer cans to extended ranges sometimes surprises myself.
Well, I certainly don't have setup I'd like to have for bear. I would prefer a 5" S&W 629 but all I have is 9mm and .40 S&W sidearms. If I'm hiking I normally have an HK VP9 loaded with 18 rounds of 147gr +P Underwood hard cast and two spare mags and bear spray on the harness of my pack, or carried in my left hand. The .40 would be marginally better if I had the right ammo but sadly I picked it up right after Xmas and the ammo is unobtanium now. I've got 100 rounds of 180gr HST but IMO the hard cast 9mm is better than expanding .40/10mm. If I'm camping then I have a shotgun loaded with Brenneke Green Lightning slugs, better IMO than just about any handgun at least in my hands. Ultimately I'd be happier with a .44 Mag loaded with 305gr hard cast in place of the HKs for woods carry.
