.357 or .44

[Blue68f100]

If your having to deal with a bear, your adrenaline will be running so high I dought you will even notice the recoil.

 

[Mark_Mark]

If your having to deal with a bear, your adrenaline will be running so high I dought you will even notice the recoil.

very true! A medium size black bear snuck up me and I freaked out! and it freaked out, and ran up a tree super fast.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I think that Rugers are better, heavier built, for a steady diet of full house loads

I agree. Wife and I competed in IHMSA Silhouette in the early 80s with a Super Blackhawk. The consensus was, the S&W Model 29 wouldn't hold up. The Ruger would, but you had to tighten screws every round (40 rounds), or use Loctite. I was using about 21.5 grains of 2400 , IIRC, with a Sierra 180 gr "silhouette" bullet. We would fire 160 rounds per match.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I agree. Wife and I competed in IHMSA Silhouette in the early 80s with a Super Blackhawk. The consensus was, the S&W Model 29 wouldn't hold up. The Ruger would, but you had to tighten screws every round (40 rounds), or use Loctite. I was using about 21.5 grains of 2400 , IIRC, with a Sierra 180 gr "silhouette" bullet. We would fire 160 rounds per match.

Revolvers are very trendy these days! they look cool and feels like a real gun, like a 1911 or Cz feels like a real gun

 

[THEWELSHM]

I like them both..

Thewelshm

 

[Tempus Tom]

I love the versatility of the 44.

The only major benefit of 357 over 44 that I can think of right now is the cost of components is slightly cheaper.

Other than that I’d go with 44. You can make loads way more powerful than 357.

And I know others have mentioned the model 69. I have that revolver and it’s a pleasure to carry and shoot.

Good luck.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I love the versatility of the 44.

The only major benefit of 357 over 44 that I can think of right now is the cost of components is slightly cheaper.

Other than that I’d go with 44. You can make loads way more powerful than 357.

And I know others have mentioned the model 69. I have that revolver and it’s a pleasure to carry and shoot.

Good luck.

thanks! I’ve been back to buying pistol again. 1 each month since Christmas... So, Time to save some gun money for the model 69! it’s like $800

 

[Mark_Mark]

I love the versatility of the 44.

The only major benefit of 357 over 44 that I can think of right now is the cost of components is slightly cheaper.

Other than that I’d go with 44. You can make loads way more powerful than 357.

And I know others have mentioned the model 69. I have that revolver and it’s a pleasure to carry and shoot.

Good luck.

thanks! I’ve been back to buying pistol again. 1 each month since Christmas... So, Time to save some gun money for the model 69! it’s like $800

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

Suppose it's all a matter of what you expect to encounter. Up in the north GA mountains I carry a .357 SP101 and a Henry Lever in .357.
I load the same ammo for both, either 158gr LSWC or Hornady 140gr FTX.
The biggest thing I've seen up here is a 150 pound black bear. Lately though I've been hearing packs of Coyotes.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Suppose it's all a matter of what you expect to encounter. Up in the north GA mountains I carry a .357 SP101 and a Henry Lever in .357.
I load the same ammo for both, either 158gr LSWC or Hornady 140gr FTX.
The biggest thing I've seen up here is a 150 pound black bear. Lately though I've been hearing packs of Coyotes.

Big Foot!

 

[Mark_Mark]

 

[ahutch71]

You could just carry an LCP in 380. If you survive a brown bear encounter, you'd be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the "shot placement vs caliber" debate.

I have a SBH and a Marlin 1894, both in 44 mag. The bore size difference and accuracy impact isn't going to matter at defensive ranges. Hardball 310 grain gas checked 44s (Lee C429-310-RF) and a healthy dollop of H110 will never shrink, and with big predators you want penetration rather than expansion and those rounds just keep going and going. There's something to be said for options, so I also have an SP101 4" 357 and a Henry 38/357 carbine which is really all that is needed in my stomping grounds (Tennessee). I am comfortable with any one of those 4 when hiking around here, where two legged problems are more likely than 4 legged and the 4 legged ones are generally just coyotes.

 

[Mark_Mark]

You could just carry an LCP in 380. If you survive a brown bear encounter, you'd be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the "shot placement vs caliber" debate.

I have a SBH and a Marlin 1894, both in 44 mag. The bore size difference and accuracy impact isn't going to matter at defensive ranges. Hardball 310 grain gas checked 44s (Lee C429-310-RF) and a healthy dollop of H110 will never shrink, and with big predators you want penetration rather than expansion and those rounds just keep going and going. There's something to be said for options, so I also have an SP101 4" 357 and a Henry 38/357 carbine which is really all that is needed in my stomping grounds (Tennessee). I am comfortable with any one of those 4 when hiking around here, where two legged problems are more likely than 4 legged and the 4 legged ones are generally just coyotes.

I heard that! penetration over expansion... they leaned that during the golden days of African Dangerous games