357 Or 44

[cozyc]

thanks for all the advise guys, but we are getting a little off the subject. I was asking about back up side arms, why would I be carring a backup rifle or shotgun. That might be a little hard to lug around. I think the taurus tracker in 44 mag with the ported barrel would not have a huge recoil. http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=44 TRACKER&category=Revolver Any info on this gun?
I read another thread about a 40 s&w. It seems small to me , but with the follow up shot being easier and high compacity loaded with cast bullets would what be addequate? 45 auto, 45 gap? All loaded with cast bullets?

 

[30 cal slob]

If anyone can point me to field evaluations of the relatively new .500 S&W, would appreciate it.

 

[Malamute]

"I was asking about back up side arms, why would I be carring a backup rifle or shotgun. That might be a little hard to lug around."

Uh,..because you posted in the rifle section. That's why it was assumed by many that you were talking about a rifle.


If for some reason you used an auto, you'd be better off with full jacketed bullets rather than cast. I prefer a revolver for a field and possible bear protection gun. The power and reliability factors far outweigh anything an auto could offer in the same role. This sentiment seems to be the overwhelming consensus of those that spend a lot of time in bear country.

 

[cozyc]

hey 30 cal slob we don't need anymore help getting off track

 

[roscoe]

Holy cow! He was talking about handguns? Man, all that wasted thinking . . .


I personally like the looks of the Tracker, but 'they' say it has a slightly shorter cylinder, so some high-powered cartridges might not fit. Like, the kind you might want to have when defending against bear. That really is a shame.

 

[chaim]

...we are getting a little off the subject. I was asking about back up side arms, why would I be carring a backup rifle or shotgun. That might be a little hard to lug around. I think the taurus tracker in 44 mag with the ported barrel would not have a huge recoil.

What made us think you were asking about a rifle or shotgun was that you posted in the rifle section, not the general handguns or revolver section. I also don't see in your first post the word "backup" anywhere.

Anyway, the Tracker is a really nice gun. The "Ribber" grips and ports are supposed to really help with recoil. However, it is still only a medium framed revolver so I'm not sure how it would fare (and more importantly how your hand would fare) with the more powerful .44mag rounds. I would be more inclined to go with something bigger that could better handle (and better lessen the recoil of) the stonger magnum rounds- something like a Ruger, the S&W 629, Taurus 44 or Taurus Raging Bull (the 44 may be better than the RB though for a gun you would actually carry around).

 

[cozyc]

sorry fellas, I have almost an identical thread going in the hunting forumn, and I recieved 9 post. I always post here, because I recieve alot more information.

 

[flip180]

"the best bear defense is a good pair of running shoes! "

How about a slow buddy .

Flip.