Bear defence gun 44 or 454

Status
Not open for further replies.
338reddog

338reddog

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2011
Messages
88
Location
Idaho
I am heading to Montana near the Bob Marshall. The area is said to have the highest concentration of Griz in the state. Actually on youtube there is video of 8 running together in the last few weeks. I understand the probability is low of an encounter but I want to be prepared should it happen. I will have a rifle 338 wm or 300 wby. Leaning towards my 338. For my handgun choice im looking at my 5.5 Redhawk in 44 mag. Or my 454 Super Blackhawk with a 6.5 “ barrel. I doubt I would have time to reload but cocking the gun is a concern. Any imput is appreciated but first hand experience would be very helpful.
Jeff
 
If it were me, I'd take which ever revolver I shot faster accurately.

44 or 454 would both serve you well. Your concern about cocking your SA fast enough seems to indicate you are more comfortable with the 44.

I think you already know what the answer is.
 
Double action. Not many folks run a single action like @MaxP, so I personally take every advantage I can get. The 44mag is plenty for the task, 454c can come with the disadvantage of high recovery time anyway, so facing the extra burden of single action cocking, it’s the 44mag on top. It’s just that much easier for the non-expert to deliver with a lower recoil double action than a higher recoil single action.
 
I feel bear spray (if worn such that it is easily accessible) is a good bear deterrent in certain situations that I can imagine. So I would take some if it were me. But I do recognize that wind, rain, and the nature of approach from a bear may make it a very poor choice in other situations. So I prefer to have a firearm.

I, like some others, would also choose the Redhawk (mine is also 5.5" in .44 mag) because I know I can shoot it well in DA. I'd choose a 300gr lead gas checked projectile with a flat meplat that I had run through my gun enough to be confident of function and accuracy. And I'd wear it in a position I could get to quickly.

Those are just my preferences, however. Stay safe.
 
We all have our preferences. but bear in mind that you are sbout 100 times more likely to be injured or killed by bees, wasps or hornets than bears and snakes combined. In my 74 years, I've never been attacked by a bear.

I sometimes wonder if the bear stories in the silly gun rags aren't designed to sell large revolvers more so than to impart knowledge.:p JMHO!
 
cheygriz said:
We all have our preferences. but bear in mind that you are sbout 100 times more likely to be injured or killed by bees, wasps or hornets than bears and snakes combined.
Click to expand...
Than bears and snakes combined?
dickydalton said:
The 1989 front page picture on a gun magazine showing a guy fishing with a Mountain Revolver, in a M4 chest holster, in grizzly country made me buy the first one I saw.
Click to expand...
I wonder if the guy had snake shot in the first couple of cylinder holes in that Mountain Revolver.:p
Just kidding around. As cheygriz said, "We all have our preferences." Besides, I always enjoy these "what gun/ammunition for bears or snakes" threads. But honest to goodness, I've done a lot of hunting and backpacking in grizzly country, never even seen a grizzly outside of a national park, and the only black bears I ever saw were running away.
On the other hand, I've seen a lot of rattlesnakes in grizzly country. But they're easy to go around. I only kill them if they're on our place where they might harm one of our pets or grandkids.:)
 
I have had Griz come through my camp while we were in our tent. Thanks to some idiot putting a deer in a campground bear box.
I have no desire to poach a bear and I hope you said that in jest, as I dont know you and vice a versa. Integerity means alot to me. I dont appreciate someone questioning mine. I will have bear spray. However I also know wind direction maybe a issue. And if I happened to need a gun and didnt have it, I would feel pretty foolish.
Just look at the recent guide and hunter in Wyo, had the hunter had his gun available and not in his backpack, maybe they would have had a different outcome to the story. It truley is a what if situation and understand I was not there. However if Im put into that situation I would prefer to have different tools avail. No one tool is perfect.
I do appreciate the comments.
Jeff
 
Last edited:
Inland Grizzly are much more aggressive than black bear. But not that much larger, nor harder to kill. I have 3" and 4" 44 mag revolvers, but left them home when camping in Yellowstone taking my 4.5" Glock 20 in 10mm instead. It is much more compact, easier to carry and the 16 rounds of 200 gr hardcast DoubleTap give penetration measured in feet. That load has taken many large animals including cape buffalo and stopping grizzly charges.

I think the longer barreled 454 might be the better hunting handgun. But for personal defense the smaller, lighter 44 with less recoil is the better option.

bear in mind that you are sbout 100 times more likely to be injured or killed by bees, wasps or hornets than bears and snakes combined.
Click to expand...

That number is accurate, but misleading. The odds of being attacked by a shark are even less. But those stats include people living in Kansas. If you ain't in bear country, or the ocean, you ain't gonna be attacked by a bear or shark. But once you go into the water or bear country the odds go up.
 
I would say do a test. What ever one YOU can get 5 shots off fastest and while still maintaining accuracy, and are more comfortable with. Make sure you have a good bullet that's going to penetrate and hold together, weather it's 44 mag ,454 ,or as previously suggested 45 colt loaded hot.
 
jmr40 said:
Inland Grizzly are much more aggressive than black bear. But not that much larger, nor harder to kill. I have 3" and 4" 44 mag revolvers, but left them home when camping in Yellowstone taking my 4.5" Glock 20 in 10mm instead. It is much more compact, easier to carry and the 16 rounds of 200 gr hardcast DoubleTap give penetration measured in feet. That load has taken many large animals including cape buffalo and stopping grizzly charges.

I think the longer barreled 454 might be the better hunting handgun. But for personal defense the smaller, lighter 44 with less recoil is the better option.



That number is accurate, but misleading. The odds of being attacked by a shark are even less. But those stats include people living in Kansas. If you ain't in bear country, or the ocean, you ain't gonna be attacked by a bear or shark. But once you go into the water or bear country the odds go up.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, I have carried a .357 in the past, as I believe it was Phil Shomake or his daughter did guiding in Alaska. I have thought about useing the 357 again. I even thought about a 4 5/8 44 special. Im not a great handgun shot and I shoot the 357 or the 454(45 colt loads ) the best. I need a little more time behind the two big magnums
 
I certainly prefer a gun to bear spray. Better pray to god the bear is coming at you from down wind if you want to gamble on sprays.
 
Either of those rifles are a good choice for big browns. If either of those rounds don’t do the stopping, a .38 special should be enough to eat just before you get eaten.
 
JMR 40,

I live, hunt, fish and camp in the Rocky Mountains. I'm around grizzlies all spring, summer and fall.

I'm still a heck of a lot more worried about yellow jackets and hornets than bears and lions.

Common sense and situational awareness will protect you from bears and lions.

For a trail gun, I carry a Glock 17. If I get attacked, there's a 99 percent chance it will walk on two legs, not four.
 
If you're comfy shooting the Redhawk in DA mode with .44 Magnum ammo, then use it.

IMHO it's more versatile in the bear attack and a human attacker scenario, and plenty capable for the tasks you describe.

My SRH in .454 with the 7.5" isn't very controllable at all in DA mode shooting true .454 ammo, I find the 6.5" M-929 or 4" Mountain Gun M-629 are a lot easier to control fast-DA. Plus, if I load down to .45 Colt +P I have pretty much duplicated the .44 Mag anyway... so I would go ahead with your 5.5" DA .44 Redhawk over the SA Super Blackhawk .454 or .45 Colt +P.

Stay safe!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
Redhawk .44 or .454?
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
DammitBoy
D
adcoch1
  • Locked
454 or bigger big bore?
Replies
23
Views
755
adcoch1
adcoch1
ECVMatt
  • Locked
Ruger Super Redhwalk Alaskan .44 or .454?
Replies
20
Views
6K
Alaska444
A
338reddog
  • Locked
Bullet choice for bear defence load 45 cal and 44 cal
Replies
14
Views
2K
splattergun
splattergun
Huntolive
  • Locked
44 Mag for Hunting/ Trail Gun
Replies
18
Views
2K
RugRev
RugRev
Back
Top