Best Caliber for Bear - VOTE !
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gunslinger387
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Although I don't have one, I would have to say in a case like this all other things being equal bigger is better.
The 500 S&W makes numbers that make a LOT of highly regarded rifle rounds look pathetic. Of the choices it is the best. On the little 200 lb blackie I want my 357 magnum with hot 125 grain bullets, ONE tiny hole in the pelt and one very dead bear. The trouble is when bear hunting you don't know if it is gonna be some little doggy looking 200 pounder or a 550 pound BEAR!!!!!! My 357 is not going to be the first choice on the big boy, and I always plan for the best/worst.
I voted Ruger, preferably loaded by Buffalo Bore. Bigger hole than 44; good penetraion for a pistol round; quicker follow ups than the rest, as quick as 44 in a mountain gun. Plus you get six shots. Just in case you get attacked by wolves instead of bears.
ID_shooting
Member
None of the above, 45/70 with a 400 gr bullet preferably jacketed. Marlin guide guns are cool.
muleshoe
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I would need no more, than my four-fifty-four.
Jim March
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The reason the 454 beats the 480 in this poll is that it wins ballistically too. AND has "milder alternatives" available as factory loads: 45LC, 45LC+P and in some cases with minor mods, 45ACP.
No mention was made of what KIND of bear. For Blacks, 44Mag and 45LC+P have merit as they're available in handier guns and can be faster for follow-ups if you flat miss on the first shot.
No mention was made of what KIND of bear. For Blacks, 44Mag and 45LC+P have merit as they're available in handier guns and can be faster for follow-ups if you flat miss on the first shot.
Marshall
Member
Yes, it goes as follows starting with 44 Mag as your base:
.480 Ruger beats it by a ton
.454 Casull beats .480 by a ton
.500 S&W beats .454 by a ton
.480 Ruger beats it by a ton
.454 Casull beats .480 by a ton
.500 S&W beats .454 by a ton
454 has the 480 beat at energy, but the Ruger can take 410 grain bullets. At short range, which is where bear defense comes in, the 480 can penetrate as much or more than the 454. Plus its a bigger hole, plus faster follow ups. What's not to like?
Jim March
Member
Very high practice costs for non-reloaders.
thefitzvh
Member
If a bear attacks me, I want an AT4, at the very least....
bears are scary!
bears are scary!
denfoote
Member
As much as I hate to admit it, I chose the .500 S&W!!!!
The phrase "A sidearm is used to fight your way back to the rifle you should not have left in the first place" comes to mind, when it comes to bears!!!
The phrase "A sidearm is used to fight your way back to the rifle you should not have left in the first place" comes to mind, when it comes to bears!!!
Sean Smith
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Problem with calibers like .454 is that you actually need to be able to HIT the bear to do any good, and most shooters aren't up to coping with that sort of recoil and blast. For most shooters in most circumstances I'd vote for the .44 Magnum... as a backup to a long gun.
BryanP
Member
I vote 105mm HEAT. (or would that be HEAB?)
Barring that I'd go for the .454.
Barring that I'd go for the .454.
Best caliber for Bear
I hunt black bears here in the Idaho Panhandle every year and use a .357 magnum. It's a good idea to use whatever you can shoot accurately and are comfortable with - I have a couple Freedom Arms .454's that I don't shoot as well as a .357 - so that's what I use.
I hunt black bears here in the Idaho Panhandle every year and use a .357 magnum. It's a good idea to use whatever you can shoot accurately and are comfortable with - I have a couple Freedom Arms .454's that I don't shoot as well as a .357 - so that's what I use.
stevelyn
Member
Assuming (yeah I know) a rifle or shotgun isn't an option I'd choose a hot loaded .45 Colt with hardcast bullets.
gbran
Member
454 recoil
I've done a lot of practice rapid firing with my 454. With practice, followup shots aren't that tough. BTW, the only reason I'd not choose the 500 S&W, is that the gun itself is just too darn big to pack around. It might be to big to bring to bear (pun intended). I'm going to Alaska in June and this whole issue is of concern to me, as I'll be in the wilds for at least a week. Unless others tell me different, I plan to stand my ground and get as many head shots off as possible, which may only be 2 if I'm lucky. (assuming I'm attacked) My father will be with me and we'll both be taking headshots.
I've done a lot of practice rapid firing with my 454. With practice, followup shots aren't that tough. BTW, the only reason I'd not choose the 500 S&W, is that the gun itself is just too darn big to pack around. It might be to big to bring to bear (pun intended). I'm going to Alaska in June and this whole issue is of concern to me, as I'll be in the wilds for at least a week. Unless others tell me different, I plan to stand my ground and get as many head shots off as possible, which may only be 2 if I'm lucky. (assuming I'm attacked) My father will be with me and we'll both be taking headshots.
The 500 is great if you happen to have it in your hand when a bear charges. Not that likely.
The 454 is not going to be as quick for the second shot as the 480, 44, 45 Colt, or 41 And the other four can have 6 rounds in a cylinder.
I'm paranoid enough to want the most power, but I'm not honestly convinced there's going to be much difference between the 454 and the 480 at defensive ranges. I think either can break a shoulder. For that matter, so can a 41
The 500 might find a real niche in a semi auto carbine.
I'll always remember Nosler number 3 and someone writing- "Im not sure anything not on a lanyard would end the pucker factor, and maybe not even then." (paraphrased)
And finally, will the 500 really outperform a hot loaded 45/70?
Oh, and Please Inform Mr March that when I get my 480, it will double the sales overnight and should lower the prohibitive reloading costs he keeps citing.
munk
The 454 is not going to be as quick for the second shot as the 480, 44, 45 Colt, or 41 And the other four can have 6 rounds in a cylinder.
I'm paranoid enough to want the most power, but I'm not honestly convinced there's going to be much difference between the 454 and the 480 at defensive ranges. I think either can break a shoulder. For that matter, so can a 41
The 500 might find a real niche in a semi auto carbine.
I'll always remember Nosler number 3 and someone writing- "Im not sure anything not on a lanyard would end the pucker factor, and maybe not even then." (paraphrased)
And finally, will the 500 really outperform a hot loaded 45/70?
Oh, and Please Inform Mr March that when I get my 480, it will double the sales overnight and should lower the prohibitive reloading costs he keeps citing.
munk
Topgun
member
I....voted..... 44mag because of the ease of learning to shoot it well.
Far less chance of developing an incurable ....fLinCh!
But.......the Beretta .25 Jetfire is far easier to get into the zoo.
Far less chance of developing an incurable ....fLinCh!
But.......the Beretta .25 Jetfire is far easier to get into the zoo.
Jim March
Member
Look again. I'm citing costs for the NON-reloader
.Once you reload, well, the 45LC/454 family can probably be reloaded for a little bit less than the 480, but the difference isn't serious.
When you're not reloading yet, bulk 45LC made for the CAS/SASS market is available WAY cheaper than the 454 or 480. You still have to dig, but it's out there.
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