.44 vs .454 vs .460 for Black Bear Defense

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4" Redhawk or 4" 629, eh? Either gun is a good choice; it's a powerful cartridge in a gun that's not too heavy to carry while hiking, and 4" is a good balance between power & packability. Check them both out side by side in a gunshop and go with the one that tickles your fancy the most. The Smith is a little lighter (especially if you can find a 629 Mountain Gun), but the Ruger can be loaded up with heavier +p loads from Buffalo Bore or Garrett Cartridge.

To me, the Redhawk says "woods gun" while the 629 says "eye candy", but that's a personal take. You'd have an easier time finding grips for the Smith if you're particular about that sort of thing.
 
Not to stomp on the revolver thread, but a Glock 20 or EAA Witness in 10 mm is probably the most firepower you'll get in one handgun at one time (15+1 rds of full house 10 mm auto... plus you can carry spare 15 rd mags easily).

I'm not a big Glock fan, but the one place they got it right was their 10 mm caliber offerings. If there were an XD or CZ 75 in 10 mm, that would be my top choice. But it's pretty tough to argue against 16 rds of 10 mm auto out of a 4.5" barrel. Even some of the more potent revolver loads limit your capacity. The polymer Glock 20 isn't that heavy, either. 10 mm auto has some nice ballistics (muzzle velocity, bullet mass, etc.), terminal ballistics, and semi-auto feeding capability.

Just my $.02 for a trail gun in bear country.
 
2nd choice; S&W M-329PD .44 Maggie.
1st Choice; S&W M-357PD in .41 magnum. Does everything the .44 will do with less recoil and higher sectional density.
The recoil won't be very noticeable when something is gnawing on you, in fact it will feel good. The Hogue X frame grips with the full sorbothane backstrap will fit these revolvers, available direct from S&W. Hamilton Bowen's website has a pic. They are selling the crap out of these Scandium magnums in Alaska.
 
I was in this same predicament a while back... I figured that a 44 mag was plenty for about 99.9% of the situations I could possibly foresee in the woods. However, for backpacking, I found that a large revolver was far too bulky. I know that this is a revolver forum, but I ended up getting a Glock Model 20 in 10mm. It holds 16 rounds of punchy 200 grainers, with another pair of spare mags on my hip.

For black and brown bears, the 10mm is plenty to end things quickly. Therefore, unless you plan on spending time in grizzly or polar bear country, I would advise against getting a full frame revolver. The G20 loaded weighs about half that of a full frame 44 mag. It is highly weather resistant, and will make for a good deterrent for both 2 and 4 legged predators. No need to carry 2 or 3 different guns.

Just my $0.02
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Yes if you decide to shoot yourself to avoid a mauling.Browns and grizzlys are the same species,by the way. The browns are much bigger because of their access to fish. For what its worth I carry a .45 Colt Ruger Vaquero loaded with 325 gr LBTs at 1200 or so in non hunting situations. [fishing,etc]Hunting I count on the rifle I have anyway. as far as fishing,berry picking,so on,the shotgun always seems to be leaning on a tree 100yds away.
 
I didn't think the Vaqueros could handle those loads...Blackhawks and T/C's only.
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I know the Vaquero is made on the same frame as the Blackhawk. The New Model Vaquero's will not handle heavy loaded ammo. .
 
Cor Bon makes a 200 grain .357 magnum load that should offer good penetration in a black bear. In a GP 100 sized revolver, you should be able to get a follow shot up quicker than with a hand cannon like the .454 Casull.

While .357 magnum isn't ideal for bear, I think it passes as the minimum load to use for black bear.

Also, the gun will be a little easier to pack around than a huge from .454 Casual.

https://www.dakotaammo.net/shop/pro...id=81&osCsid=0674d993aa46a054b6086979499c0f19
 
I also think .357 mag is a decent caliber, for most places anyway. Probably good enough for boar, wild dogs, boogiemen, and the rare blackbear. I know some hunters *have* taken brownbear with .357, but those that I'd heard about were hotloads fired out of 8" barrels, precisely aimed at the bears' vitals from the side. Hunting's a lot different than a defensive situation.

I've thought about buying my third .357, but I'm torn between a 6" Ruger GP100 and some variant of the Smith 627/327. 8 shots of 200 grain hardcasts sounds pretty effective to me for most scenarios.
 
Take a look at S&W 329pd

If you're set on a 44mag, look at the S&W 329pd scandium. A nice 4" barrel and amazingly only 26oz. I would imagine the 4" barrel gives better ballistics than their 2" backpacker model.

Some might say its too lite too practice a lot with hot loads to get fully acquianted with. Not sure about that but I have a hunch its a secondary concern. Remember, if you dont pack it, it aint doing you any good. Too many times the heavy gun gets left at home or in car. Just sayin'
 
Another option is the S+W 625 acp and have the cylinder converted to .460 Rowland .44 mag power without the harsh recoil easy to shoot with one hand.
The .460 conversion will fire .45acp,,45 auto rim ,.45 Super....For black bear ( one tryed to enter my home early morning ) and taking the dog out at night I carry in chest hostler.

SW625HOLSTER001.jpg
 
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Very nice 22. I would not have guessed the S&W 625 mountain gun could handle the power/pressure of the big 460 cartridge. It was orig made for the 45 acp right?

So is this just an alternative to getting the new big production .460 gun? (whatever its called...I think it does have ports on it though)
 
You should buy and carry what makes you feel well armed. My preference is a double action .357 revolver.
 
SW625in460Rowland004.jpg
Tall Pine
This is the .460 Rowland ammo ...Not the S+W 460 round .The power of a .44 mag with mild recoil , good control for fast DBL action shooting with one hand.
No ports or comp needed for the S+W 625 acp only the cylinder converted.

460xvr a bear to shoot?
 
Thanks 22. Those look like serious bullets. Never heard of that round, but I can hazard a guess that they arent cheap. Probably good to reload em huh?
 
Tall Pine read the .460 Rowland on the web lots of good info .

Georiga Arms sells the .460 Rowland 185gr Jacketed Hollow Point Defense Load 50pk for $31.50 .CorBon has 230 gr,.460 Rowland 20pk $27.00 and you have shipping extra.

Starline makes the brass if you want to reload.

Check out Clark Custom guns web site

I also ordered a .460 Rowland comp/barrel to shoot .460 Rowand out of my
1911 Kimber,fits on most good 1911s.If your model 1911 is listed best to send the slide with an extra $10.00 for return shipping and they will fit it for free.
 
best black bear defense is a twinky. Just throw it and run while the bear is eating it. Seriously ive lived in black bear country all my life. Ive shot them off the back porch of my house. There the last thing that crosses my mind when im walking in the woods. You will be on luck sob if you even see one personaly when out walking. they will hear you and be in the next county before you come up on them. Most of the time im in the woods i do have a handgun not for bear but most because i just love handguns. More of a consern to me are wolves and rabbid animals. If your really conserned any gun shooting at least a .41 cal hard cast bullet at 900 fps or faster will shoot through most any bear. 41 mag 44 specail and mag and 45 colt are about ideal. Im not about to walk around in the woods toting a 5 lb handgun and trying to convice myself that these big dangerous bears are going to eat me.
 
As an Oregonian who has spent a lot of time in the backwoods I can attest that a large black bear can be real trouble. Conventional wisdom has it that black bear will run away and, in general, that has been my personal experience. But not always! I have had two experiences in which I had to use my handgun (44 mag) to defend myself. One bear did, eventually, run (had the gun drawn and ready) away but I had to kill the other. I was really, really glad I had the 44 magnum then.

For trail/woods carry I now prefer a Ruger Alaskan and FWIW I now carry it in 454/45 Colt with appropriate loads. I use this gun because it is smaller and easier (for me) to carry,

RUGERALASKAN.jpg

But let me be the first to admit that, for most occasions encountered in the woods of Oregon, an appropriately loaded 44 magnum would do just fine.

You will find posters here solidly recommending 357 as a bear gun and I must respectfully disagree. Oregon black bears can weigh in excess of 400 pounds and I would not want to face such a bear with the 357. FWIW!:eek:
 
Jim, I'm surprised you carry a single action not double action when fishing. Do you carry OC spray?

.460 Rowland....ok, sure. But a .45 colt is the same or more powerful with less pressure, and cheaper/easier to get into and use. But, OTOH, I guess if you *have* to have moon clips...

From what little I know, I should think that a stoutly-loaded .45 colt or .44 mag is the ticket for repelling/killing a blackie.
 
I now have the .460 Rowand kit on my Kimber tle 1911. It is a little harder to rack the slide with the 24 spring but just a little.

Recoil a little more then acp rounds and hardly any muzzel flip .Have only shot 20 rds of .460 Rowland in the Kimber and all were smooth and easy to follow up shots.

.45 acp rounds would not chamber had to rack each single shot to empty the shell.

The .460 Rowland works For me as a powerfull low recoil round back up in a revolver or 1911 when in the woods carry.For HD I keep a 1911 .45 acp at hand..
 
I'm surprised that only on other person mentioned the Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull. The Alaskan would be easily the most powerful pistol that one could carry comfortably. Here on the East Coast a heavily loaded 45 Colt or 44 Mag is sufficent. :)
 
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