44 Mag Revolver or 357 Mag Rifle Vs. Grizzly

[JohnnyFlyGuy]

Hi all I am new to this site...and have been a gun owner for just 2 years now. I am learning a lot from these threads on a lot of questions I have. I know the, "OMG there's a grizzly...KILL SMOKEY NOW!" threads are in abundance but here is another.

If you had a choice on a charging grizzly would you prefer a 357 mag out of a rifle like a Marlin 1894C or 44 mag out of a revolver like a 7 inch Ruger Redhawk??? I have no desire to hunt bear or find one, but I am thinking about doing some SHTF/Survival style camping out in grizzly country and I am thinking about making the above firearms my camping setup. Thanks all!

 

[jmr40]

I'll play.

In that situation I believe bear spray would be the best choice.

A dependable rifle in 30-06 or larger shooting heavy bullets would be my prefered gun. And your 44 mag, properly loaded would certanly be an option here.

But this is one of those times where I'd also have a handgun. When things happen fast at close range a long gun may not be an option. Between your 2 choices I'd take the handgun. And not because of chamberings. If I could only pick 1, I'd pick a 357 handgun over a lever in 44 mag simply because I'd want something that could get off multiple shots with 1 hand and still be able to use it while an attack is underway. Not easy with any long gun.

 

[Dave P.]

No offense meant to the OP.
And I make this comment with humor.....

It seems like this site attracts people with some kind of bear fetish.
Are that many people really worried about being eaten?
I wonder if say a scuba diving site would have endless threads
about shark or fish attacks?
Any divers on here?

Do a search, you can read about bears next to forever.
Dave

 

[wgaynor]

I'd choose the .44 magnum. Out of a rifle, you can get increased velocities. With a heavy weight projectile, open sights or peep sights, and firing off every round in that rifle, you'd have a good chance.

 

[CraigC]

A long gun is easier to make a precise hit with, no doubt. However, a properly loaded .44Mag will be much more effective against anything dangerous. It makes a bigger hole and a .44 revolver is capable of handling much heavier bullets than any levergun. Think 330's at 1350fps or 355's at 1250fps.

 

[ATLDave]

I wonder if say a scuba diving site would have endless threads about shark or fish attacks?

Probably on boards devoted to spear guns.

 

[Snake Plisskin]

A Marlin 45-70 or something similar is a perfect choice IMO for a brush/camp gun in Grizzly country along with a .44 or a .357 revolver.

 

[buck460XVR]

If you had a choice on a charging grizzly would you prefer a 357 mag out of a rifle like a Marlin 1894C or 44 mag out of a revolver like a 7 inch Ruger Redhawk??? I have no desire to hunt bear or find one, but I am thinking about doing some SHTF/Survival style camping out in grizzly country and I am thinking about making the above firearms my camping setup. Thanks all!

I said this before and I'll say it again. Anyone that unfamiliar with firearms that needs to come on a gun forum and ask which firearm to kill a charging grizzly, should not put themselves in the situation where they could be charged by a grizzly. Otherwise they should do as jmr40 states and take bear spray.

 

[CraigC]

I said this before and I'll say it again. Anyone that unfamiliar with firearms that needs to come on a gun forum and ask which firearm to kill a charging grizzly, should not put themselves in the situation where they could be charged by a grizzly. Otherwise they should do as jmr40 states and take bear spray.

Agreed. Few people, even regular shooters on gun boards, are willing to put in the time and effort to become proficient enough with a heavy revolver to be able to draw and place a bullet on a charging bear.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I believe even a .41 magnum can and will kill a grizzly with proper placement and a good hardcast bullet. They are not unstoppable creatures as many people believe,However thats not to say theyre easy to kill either. Id rather have a 12ga loaded with brenneke slugs or at the least a .30-06. If I have a handgun, I assure you its for me and not the bear.

 

[wgaynor]

I agree with Craig C about more power, but the rifle makes the recoil manageable and easier/faster for followup shots.

 

[CraigC]

Id rather have a 12ga loaded with brenneke slugs or at the least a .30-06.

A heavy revolver with a proper hardcast slug will outpenetrate either one of those choices.

 

[JohnnyFlyGuy]

"I said this before and I'll say it again. Anyone that unfamiliar with firearms that needs to come on a gun forum and ask which firearm to kill a charging grizzly, should not put themselves in the situation where they could be charged by a grizzly. Otherwise they should do as jmr40 states and take bear spray." -Buck460XVR



So if I just moved to Grizzly country, am learning about firearms, openly admit that I am new to firearms, and like to camp, so I should never go camping again? I shouldn't even waste my time learning with firearms, and taking firearms is complete waste of time, and just take bear spray? I am looking to get into deer hunting and this set up is what I have. I openly admitted to not being the most proficient with firearms and was not trying to come of as a macho bear Rambo, so I don't appreciate the condescending tone. Sorry for being new, sorry for being honest, and sorry for fitting into the category of, "Anyone that unfamiliar with firearms that needs to come on a gun forum and ask..." and I'm sorry for coming onto this forum and offending you by trying to ask about a specific concern. Please forgive me. Nobody has ever addressed (at least from my searches) what is more lethal towards a huge animal like a grizzly...a 357 mag out of a rifle or a 44 mag out of a revolver and adding that both are loaded to the hottest ammo one could get from Buffalo Bore??? Oh and yes...I do fear being eaten alive by a bear...and seeing as to how it is the most dangerous predator most people associate with camping yeah the question is gonna come up. It is also the toughest to put down so people know that if they can put that down they can put down a mountain lion.

I guess I should have asked the question like this...What is ballistically superior when taking into account real life application, a 357 mag out of a rifle or a 44 mag out of a revolver??? I have read that ft/lbs are not always the best indicator of lethality due to diameters of wound channels from different calibers.

 

[back40]

johnnyflyguy, no apology necessary. some may be bored with threads about bear protection, but it's how a bunch of myths are dispelled and people learn what is truly effective. bear spray seems to be the appropriate response these days.

if you were to take the time to become proficient with it, i would choose to carry the .44 revolver. i see it as a bit more versatile, however it takes more time to learn to shoot it well.

 

[David E]

Handguns are handy, but difficult to shoot accurately, especially a .44 magnum.

A .357 lever gun is going to be much easier to hit with, but it's not nearly as handy and requires two hands.

I favor the .44 handgun, but I can hit with it. Once you can hit with yours, double action, then carry that, if limited to only one.

But you're not limited to only one, so a long gun can be taken as well. A .357 rifle is "fun," but is a bit too light for the task(s) for my tastes. Still, a case can be made for one.

If bears were a serious problem, then I'd take a serious rifle, in addition to the .44 handgun.

 

[mavracer]

Animals don't watch TV so they tend to not follow the script of "I'm shot now I must lay down and die"
I've watched too many animals run way to far after being mortally wounded with 30-06 class rifles to think anything short of a CNS hit is gonna keep a bear charge from reaching you.

IMHO either properly loaded has enough oomph to get there, the carbine would be much easier to make the shot with unless it is on the other side of camp. That's why I would prefer both.

 

[Teachu2]

All you need is a slow companion....

I'm just surprised nobody has brought up the superior accuracy of a .22lr yet.

Of the two, I'd take the .44.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

It seems like this site attracts people with some kind of bear fetish.
Are that many people really worried about being eaten?

Dave P. I see you live in Michigan. I know there are a lot of black bears in MI and they are certainly to be respected, but have you ever encountered a grizzly in the wild? I'm asking, not being a jerk.

I have, and I think first and foremost, they are to be avoided. If you stumbled into one as I did, you'd realize, they are definately to be feared. Accidental encounters do happen, and grizzlies are not known for their even temperment. So the answer is yes, people are in fact affraid of being eaten by grizzlies. I am, but I refuse to allow that to stop me from venturing into their territory. That's why I carry a 460 when I go.

I believe you could kill a grizzly with a 9mm actually, as it would blead to death if shot enough, but it certainly wouldn't bleed out before getting to you. Grizzly are fast.
To the OP. A .44 mag would definately perform better than a .357 out of a rifle. As others have stated, practice a lot. Post 5 from Craig says it all.

 

[Buck13]

This will not really answer your question, but you might find it interesting:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/61

If you are primarily interested in deer hunting, you are more likely to be successful with a .357 rifle than a .44 handgun. With equivalent sights (either both have scopes or both have iron sights), the range at which you have little worry about missing is AT LEAST twice as far with the rifle (probably more like three times as far, most fairly new shooters could keep almost all shots in a 6" circle at 50 yards with a rifle and iron sights, maybe 15 yards with a pistol), so the area of land you can hunt from any one spot on the ground is at least 4 times as great (area of a circle, you know). A big, scoped handgun is not that much easier to carry around, either. And if you have a moment to prepare if a bear is approaching your camp, your chance of making a good shot with a rifle will increase there too. (It's a big other debate whether it would be better to shoot first and provoke the bear, vs. wait and see if it doesn't just go away. Bears often mind their own business or make a bluff charge, so this is a serious question, but not one that affects choice of gun much as far as I can see.)

Also, if money is an issue, .357 ammo is considerably cheaper and you will be able to practice more and get better faster. So for hunting, I would go with the rifle and bear spray.

OTOH, if you are more interested in camping and carrying at all times, I'd have a revolver on one hip and bear spray on the other, since carrying a slung rifle at all times is not my idea of fun. Or you can be more circumspect and carry the revolver concealed in a fanny pack, if you'd prefer not to advertise that you have a gun, and have it almost as accessible. You're not going to keep any secrets about having a rifle on you.

I'd worry more about good bear camping practices (hanging food and cooking away from your sleeping area) than exact choice of weapon. Won't help WRT mountain lions, though.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Hi all I am new to this site...and have been a gun owner for just 2 years now. I am learning a lot from these threads on a lot of questions I have. I know the, "OMG there's a grizzly...KILL SMOKEY NOW!" threads are in abundance but here is another.

If you had a choice on a charging grizzly would you prefer a 357 mag out of a rifle like a Marlin 1894C or 44 mag out of a revolver like a 7 inch Ruger Redhawk??? I have no desire to hunt bear or find one, but I am thinking about doing some SHTF/Survival style camping out in grizzly country and I am thinking about making the above firearms my camping setup. Thanks all!

Since the .44 magnum revolver, in fact this very one,

can be ON ME, then I'd take the pistol.

Deaf

 

[hatwerinrednek]

Hi all I am new to this site...and have been a gun owner for just 2 years now. I am learning a lot from these threads on a lot of questions I have. I know the, "OMG there's a grizzly...KILL SMOKEY NOW!" threads are in abundance but here is another.

If you had a choice on a charging grizzly would you prefer a 357 mag out of a rifle like a Marlin 1894C or 44 mag out of a revolver like a 7 inch Ruger Redhawk??? I have no desire to hunt bear or find one, but I am thinking about doing some SHTF/Survival style camping out in grizzly country and I am thinking about making the above firearms my camping setup. Thanks all!

file the front sight off the 44 handgun so it doesnt hurt as bad when the griz shoves it up yer butt. get a 700 nitro express so that if the bear does get you after you shoot it you wont feel anything because the recoil will knock yer lights out. just kidden, i dont have bears where im from so i would be a chicken in griz country. a double action 44 mag is a decent defence gun and is what i would cary but like i said ,im chicken so i would have a rifle too. ive seen shows where they use 12 gauge pump guns with good solid slugs that penetrate.

 

[osteodoc08]

The 44 with heavy lead will give more energy and penetration. You are limited on the lever action due to bullet. Some levers have a hard time with certain profiles.

 

[Dave P.]

Dave P. I see you live in Michigan. I know there are a lot of black bears in MI and they are certainly to be respected, but have you ever encountered a grizzly in the wild? I'm asking, not being a jerk.

l.

I've seen 4 black bears over the years and they all wanted nothing to do
with people ( at least that day ).
Have only ever seen 1 grizzly, it was maybe 65-75 yards away when we
spotted it. Believe it was a fairly young male and it basically ignored us.
Never been threatened by one.
Saw a few polar bears at the zoo once but suspect those really don't
count.
The threads are fun to read but just the number of them
could make someone think that humans were
bears favorite food.
Take Care
Dave

 

[Bush Pilot]

Hi all I am new to this site...and have been a gun owner for just 2 years now. I am learning a lot from these threads on a lot of questions I have. I know the, "OMG there's a grizzly...KILL SMOKEY NOW!" threads are in abundance but here is another.

If you had a choice on a charging grizzly would you prefer a 357 mag out of a rifle like a Marlin 1894C or 44 mag out of a revolver like a 7 inch Ruger Redhawk??? I have no desire to hunt bear or find one, but I am thinking about doing some SHTF/Survival style camping out in grizzly country and I am thinking about making the above firearms my camping setup. Thanks all!

I wouldn't set foot out of my plane with anything less than a .375 H & H in brown/grizzly country.

 

[buck460XVR]

So if I just moved to Grizzly country, am learning about firearms, openly admit that I am new to firearms, and like to camp, so I should never go camping again? I shouldn't even waste my time learning with firearms, and taking firearms is complete waste of time, and just take bear spray?

No....but being ignorant and having little or no proficiency with firearms will get you into more trouble in grizzly country than just carrying bear spray. That was the point. As others have said, next to the "idiot at Wal-Mart" threads, "which gun for bear?" threads are the most prevalent threads on gun forums. If you have a new .357 lever and a .44 revolver, shoot them until you are knowledgeable and proficient with them. Then you will know which to take. I have had both myself for many years and have thousands of rounds thru each. If I were to go camping somewhere where there was a good threat of a grizzly attack, I would still take bear spray.