Shanghai Dan
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Weapons of mass destruction are typically banned in most states...How come .25 acp isn't on the list?
"Best for Bears" caliber poll
- Thread starter Ranger30-06
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Jath
Member
personally, I never go camping without my Mosseberg 500 at the very least. But if it came down to it, I would have a .40 cal handgun at my side, and a .380 in my pocket. I'd feel comfortable going up against a bear with either one. The noise alone would likely scare it away, but if not, a few well aimed shots close range to the skull will bring any bear down.
I said S&W 500 in the poll because If I was specifically hunting bears with a handgun caliber, that gun does rifle damage. I'd be fine with it.
I said S&W 500 in the poll because If I was specifically hunting bears with a handgun caliber, that gun does rifle damage. I'd be fine with it.
Sport45
Member
The last time I was in bear country I didn't carry anything. If I go back my primary defense will be bear spray. I may have my .45 Colt Redhawk as well, but maybe not. So my cartridge of choice is .45 Colt and I choose that one because it's the most powerful handgun I own. I don't see myself buying a .454., .460, .500 or whatever for the trip.
devildog4329
Member
We have Black bears in my neck of the woods and honestly I am usually carrying some sort of 9mm. Unless im squirel hunting then its a 22.
If i get eatin then shame on me.
If i get eatin then shame on me.
Jath
Member
perhaps my .380 and .40 would not suffice?
Kachok
Member
Nothing says bear stopper quite like a 454 Casull, sure a 500 S&W would do the trick too but 20oz more weight and a few inches longer I hardly call that a handgun. 44 mag is really enough IMHO but I like a little overkill.
Ranger30-06
Member
perhaps my .380 and .40 would not suffice?
That's darn right! lol Pepper spray will either be a deterrent or tick em off a lot more than they were. And you better hope you aren't downwind!
Loosedhorse
member
Don't understand these comments.
A .460 X-frame, with its ability to shoot everything from .45 S&W (Schofield) cowboy loads through .45 Colt +P and .454 hunting loads to .460, has got to be the most versatile revolver of all time. Smith has offered barrel lengths as short as 2 3/4 inches. That gun weights 55 oz, about the same as a Redhawk with a 7 1/2 inch barrel.
Then it's just a question of getting the right holster!
I voted for 357 mag. mostly cause it is largest handgun I currently own. I would feel absolutely comfortable with it.
However, I'd more likely be carrying my Ruger mk II since I'm likely to be squirrel hunting.
Ohio doesn't have many bears. So odds are slim I'll see one. Although I do hunt other states. But then I use a rifle of some sort (too cheap to pay extra to use handgun, where it applies).
Lots of folks seem to think bears are armour platted. I know they are big and heavy, but not bullet proof. Granted grizzlies are tenacious but they are still flesh and bone. Plenty were sucessfuly "dispatched" with 44/40 and lesser calibers.
However, I'd more likely be carrying my Ruger mk II since I'm likely to be squirrel hunting.
Ohio doesn't have many bears. So odds are slim I'll see one. Although I do hunt other states. But then I use a rifle of some sort (too cheap to pay extra to use handgun, where it applies).
Lots of folks seem to think bears are armour platted. I know they are big and heavy, but not bullet proof. Granted grizzlies are tenacious but they are still flesh and bone. Plenty were sucessfuly "dispatched" with 44/40 and lesser calibers.
Dang, that was close!
I almost clicked .40 S&W.
The option I was looking for was 40mm Bofors. Actually, since I'm only in black bear country, I could probably scrape by with the tiny medium caliber, a nice 20mm. (Gotta love the old Oerlikons.)
Holster selection... Now THAT is the real bear.
I almost clicked .40 S&W.
The option I was looking for was 40mm Bofors. Actually, since I'm only in black bear country, I could probably scrape by with the tiny medium caliber, a nice 20mm. (Gotta love the old Oerlikons.)
Holster selection... Now THAT is the real bear.
In all seriousness:
If'n all I could carry was a handgun, I'd either be fielding a 1911 in .45ACP or a .44 cap & ball revolver loaded with FFFg a'plenty. (I've seen black bears, they are around. And if what I have on hand isn't adequate to the task, I hope I give the bugger a case heartburn and indigestion that a 5 gallon bucket of Pepto wouldn't cure.)
(Side note: You might not think so, but lead round balls, in spite of their light weight, seem to penetrate like the dickens...)
If'n all I could carry was a handgun, I'd either be fielding a 1911 in .45ACP or a .44 cap & ball revolver loaded with FFFg a'plenty. (I've seen black bears, they are around. And if what I have on hand isn't adequate to the task, I hope I give the bugger a case heartburn and indigestion that a 5 gallon bucket of Pepto wouldn't cure.)
(Side note: You might not think so, but lead round balls, in spite of their light weight, seem to penetrate like the dickens...)
I voted .357 mag just because it's the most potent handgun caliber I own (IMHO) and the black bears in the Upper Midwest are pretty benign.
Frankly, if I'm going into bear territory, I'm bringing a jumbo can of bear spray with me.
Frankly, if I'm going into bear territory, I'm bringing a jumbo can of bear spray with me.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
No idea what's "best." Voted .44 mag because that's what I have and what I would carry in bear country, given the options.
AKMtnRunner
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I own a S&W 500 in 6.5" and a Ruger 44 Alaskan (2.5"). If I was in an area that I knew only black bears were, I'd be comfortable with the Alaskan. The problem is, that I can see browns anytime that I'm out, thus I have the 500.
What sold me on the 500 (after already having the 44) was peace of mind. As much as I can practice with the 44, there's still doubt that it won't be enough. And it's not like the 500 is much harder to handle than a 44 loaded for bear. The weight of the 500 helps the control as much as it hinders. Also, it is almost as powerful as a rifle, and arguably better than a shotgun in the case of having the luxury of a few seconds. A shotgun, according to Chuck Hawks, is a false sense of bear security due to the slug's poor penetration.
Of course, the 500 has to be comfortable to handle. But that can be done with practice, like running in the mountains
But I have to admit though, that 99% of the times that I go out, I only bring bear spray or make sure to be yelling every minute or so. Has worked so far, as the ~20 bears I have seen over the last two summers were more afraid of me and didn't stay around long.
What sold me on the 500 (after already having the 44) was peace of mind. As much as I can practice with the 44, there's still doubt that it won't be enough. And it's not like the 500 is much harder to handle than a 44 loaded for bear. The weight of the 500 helps the control as much as it hinders. Also, it is almost as powerful as a rifle, and arguably better than a shotgun in the case of having the luxury of a few seconds. A shotgun, according to Chuck Hawks, is a false sense of bear security due to the slug's poor penetration.
Of course, the 500 has to be comfortable to handle. But that can be done with practice, like running in the mountains
But I have to admit though, that 99% of the times that I go out, I only bring bear spray or make sure to be yelling every minute or so. Has worked so far, as the ~20 bears I have seen over the last two summers were more afraid of me and didn't stay around long.
AKMtnRunner
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This is what Chuck Hawks has to say about shutguns for bear defense: (full article at the link)
The reason is that, while shotgun slugs pack considerable short-range wallop, they are seriously lacking in sectional density (SD). Sectional density is defined as the ratio of a bullet's weight (in pounds) to the square of its diameter (in inches). SD matters because, other factors being equal, a long, thin projectile penetrates better than a short, fat projectile. When you think about it, that should be obvious.
Cutting to the chase, for stopping a bear you want a projectile with a high SD. Examples of common calibers and bullets that are recommended for shooting the great bears include the .30/220 (SD .331), .338/250 (SD .313), .35/250 (SD .279) and .45/350 (SD .238). By comparison, the common 12 gauge/437 grain (one ounce) rifled slug has a SD of only .117, which is woefully inadequate. (It is actually inferior to a 45 grain .22 bullet, which has a SD of .128!) For more on shotguns for protection in the field, see the article of that name on the Shotgun Information Page. However, for our purposes here, shotguns are out.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/firearms_defense_bears.htm
The reason is that, while shotgun slugs pack considerable short-range wallop, they are seriously lacking in sectional density (SD). Sectional density is defined as the ratio of a bullet's weight (in pounds) to the square of its diameter (in inches). SD matters because, other factors being equal, a long, thin projectile penetrates better than a short, fat projectile. When you think about it, that should be obvious.
Cutting to the chase, for stopping a bear you want a projectile with a high SD. Examples of common calibers and bullets that are recommended for shooting the great bears include the .30/220 (SD .331), .338/250 (SD .313), .35/250 (SD .279) and .45/350 (SD .238). By comparison, the common 12 gauge/437 grain (one ounce) rifled slug has a SD of only .117, which is woefully inadequate. (It is actually inferior to a 45 grain .22 bullet, which has a SD of .128!) For more on shotguns for protection in the field, see the article of that name on the Shotgun Information Page. However, for our purposes here, shotguns are out.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/firearms_defense_bears.htm
I don't know about all that "science," but 12 ga 3" magnum brenneke slugs have been a gold standard for bear stopping for a long time. It might not make sense from that technical physics perspective, but they work. Chuck Hawks not withstanding.
Check this out, not exactly a bear but pretty impressive:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot6_3.htm
Check this out, not exactly a bear but pretty impressive:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot6_3.htm
Ranger30-06
Member
Guyyyyyyyyyyys this is about HANDGUNS. Please stay on topic or start a thread in the shotgun area.
It's very interesting what some people are comfortable carrying. You have one group that's not worried at all and will take squirrel weapons, and the other group that wants the biggest hand cannon they can carry. Keep it up guys!
It's very interesting what some people are comfortable carrying. You have one group that's not worried at all and will take squirrel weapons, and the other group that wants the biggest hand cannon they can carry. Keep it up guys!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The X-frames defy what a handgun is 'supposed' to be. All their big cartridges offer over traditional length .475's and .500's is velocity and all that velocity does is flatten trajectory. No thanks, I'll take a proper custom Ruger Bisley that actually carries just fine in a belt holster.
Ranger30-06
Member
Advancements in firearms constantly change what people feel they are "supposed" to be. Glock, Elmer Kieth, Eugene Stoner, Colt, and many others did something that didn't follow what a firearm was "supposed" to be.
I am completely comfortable with an X frame, and if I had cash, I would buy one for myself. I also have fairly large hands and well muscled forearms, so the X frame hardly bothers me. It's all about what YOU are comfortable with!
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