Hawk
Member
B'ar's not to be trifled with.
457 Mag might work.
The minimum caliber for defence against black bear at close range?
- Thread starter Massimo
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B'ar's not to be trifled with.
457 Mag might work.
Geronimo45
Member
PinnedAndRecessed
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lenny Cianciotto
Member
If your primary hunting weapon is a big .460, then get S&W's version of a .460 snub for back-up. That way you have a common caliber. Use big a** heavy bullets for back-up.
Lenny
Lenny
Oregongundude
Member
The Poor black bears everytime i see one it's running away from me.
I have noticed on these forums that some much thinking is involved in what kind of handgun will kill a Black bear. Everytime I see a black bear in the woods they normally run in the other direction. Black Bear's are killed by 9 mm's, 40 S&W's, and 45's all the time. However, I wouldn't select any of the three mentioned if I had a choice for a backup hunting handgun. Blacks bears don't really like humans much. However, if your hunting them that's a different story. I would think a 357, .41, or a 44 Magnum, and even a 10 mm would be good selections for most Black bears. My own perference would be a high powered rifle, like a .308, 30.06, 7 mm magnum, or a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs. Since you have a .460 S&W now I don't see the need for a backup weapon. The .460 S&W will be more than enough to kill even bigger bears like some grizzly's or brown bears. However, if your worried your .460 S&W won't work, or won't be available during your hunt. I would get at least a light weight Glock 20 10 mm as a backup. That way you can fire 15 10 mm rounds into the black bear in a couple of seconds without a reload and that should end the encounter, especially with some controlled expanison rounds from Double tap ammo.
If your still worried about the black bear call in an airstrike
Just a thought.
I have noticed on these forums that some much thinking is involved in what kind of handgun will kill a Black bear. Everytime I see a black bear in the woods they normally run in the other direction. Black Bear's are killed by 9 mm's, 40 S&W's, and 45's all the time. However, I wouldn't select any of the three mentioned if I had a choice for a backup hunting handgun. Blacks bears don't really like humans much. However, if your hunting them that's a different story. I would think a 357, .41, or a 44 Magnum, and even a 10 mm would be good selections for most Black bears. My own perference would be a high powered rifle, like a .308, 30.06, 7 mm magnum, or a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs. Since you have a .460 S&W now I don't see the need for a backup weapon. The .460 S&W will be more than enough to kill even bigger bears like some grizzly's or brown bears. However, if your worried your .460 S&W won't work, or won't be available during your hunt. I would get at least a light weight Glock 20 10 mm as a backup. That way you can fire 15 10 mm rounds into the black bear in a couple of seconds without a reload and that should end the encounter, especially with some controlled expanison rounds from Double tap ammo.
If your still worried about the black bear call in an airstrike
Just a thought.
22-rimfire
Member
I would use what I had (357 or larger) and I don't really think you need a back up gun for black bears. If you want to buy something, I am taken by the 44 mag version of the Ruger Alaskan revolver. I would load it with heavy solids. The Smith Model 357PD (pictured above) would work just fine.
Otherguy Overby
member
2nd post on this thread
Something occurs to me is that Marlin has a large potential market for small rifles that shoot current mega handgun cartridges. Anyone here wanna buy a 16 inch barrel Marlin in 500 Short & Weak? or say one in 460? How about one in .454 Casul?
Something occurs to me is that Marlin has a large potential market for small rifles that shoot current mega handgun cartridges. Anyone here wanna buy a 16 inch barrel Marlin in 500 Short & Weak? or say one in 460? How about one in .454 Casul?
22-rimfire
Member
That Marlin could open up an brand new market for Marlin lever guns. Using the 4" barrel for scale, it looks like the Marlin has about a 12" barrel and would be classified a handgun. Sure would be fun to mess around with. Would be pretty darn good in 357, 41 or 44 mag which are calibers Marlin already offers in that gun.
TimboKhan
Member
Not a handgun, but practically every griz guide I have ever read about packs a 12 gauge loaded with slugs. If it's enough for a griz, it will be enough for a black bear.
brett30030
Member
SoCalShooter
Member
Well if I were to choose a pistol over using a .460 I would probably choose a .44mag 240gr+ rounds.
Deaf Smith
Member
12 guage. Like this handgun..
Last edited:
mjb
Member.
The minimum for me would be a 10mm loaded with Winchester silvertip hollow points.
Back up
Best back up when the bear charges? You bet, back up real fast, then turn and run like he...heck.
carry Desert Eagle (.357) and S&W .460? That's like 8.5-9lbs of steel, plus the weight of the ammo!
If you were rifle hunting, I would recommend at least a 6" .357 with hot loaded hardcast SWC ammo as a backup if your rifle failed (broke/jammed). A bigger caliber handgun just up the odds in your favor.
Now, handgun hunting, ranges are shorter. You could carry a second handgun, but as mentioned, you might not have time to draw and aim. So the best backup would be a trusted individual with either a heavy handgun, or a suitable rifle or 12ga with slugs.
And if you don't trust him, why are you letting him get behind you with a loaded gun?
Best back up when the bear charges? You bet, back up real fast, then turn and run like he...heck.
carry Desert Eagle (.357) and S&W .460? That's like 8.5-9lbs of steel, plus the weight of the ammo!
If you were rifle hunting, I would recommend at least a 6" .357 with hot loaded hardcast SWC ammo as a backup if your rifle failed (broke/jammed). A bigger caliber handgun just up the odds in your favor.
Now, handgun hunting, ranges are shorter. You could carry a second handgun, but as mentioned, you might not have time to draw and aim. So the best backup would be a trusted individual with either a heavy handgun, or a suitable rifle or 12ga with slugs.
And if you don't trust him, why are you letting him get behind you with a loaded gun?
Stevie-Ray
Member
Forget it. They never even came out with the camp carbine in 10mm, something I thought surely they would do. Also something I would be one of the first to purchase, but alas.........
Sunray
Member
By the time you've realized your Smith is not working, Yogi will be on you, if he's PO'd. However, the only time Yogi will attack is if you startle him, get between him and dinner or a way to get away from you. Yogi is not interested in you or anything about you. You smell of one thing to him. Trouble.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Get some of those 12GA renegade 7" rifled slugs. Theres a thread about that somewhere here
Skywarp
member
.357 for Griz.
Maybe if you file the sites off so when he takes all 6 rounds it wont hurt so bad when he sticks the gun up your keester.
Maybe if you file the sites off so when he takes all 6 rounds it wont hurt so bad when he sticks the gun up your keester.
ZeSpectre
Member
Good God people the OP said BLACK bear. Geez if it'll drop a good sized man it'll drop a black bear.
High Planes Drifter
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- Feb 21, 2006
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- 1,204
10mm would be a good choice for backup, tho I cant see why you would need it when you have a .460. ? This is black bear we're talking about and that .460 should be plenty. Anyway, for last ditch, you might be better served having a slow friend come along carrying a basket full of ham sandwiches. This will gain you time to, how you say, get while the gett'ns good.A game guy used buffalobore.com's 45 Colt load:
260 grain hp at 1450 fps.
I like this round. Powerful, but, doesn't kick like the 325's or bigger bullets.
Advantage would be you could use that in your S&W, and it would feel like a 22lr, compared to the absurd, high pressure stuff most factory ammo is for that gun. And, you might need your barrel replaced at 1200 rounds, or have a cut top strap.
Your only real way to get a backup gun that's more powerful would be a .480 Alaskan, or anything with a bigger bore, and heavier bullet. .500 caliber bullet, or .510, with a 450 grain Hawk hollowpoint might work.
.500 JRH, based on a Ruger would be my choice. 440 grain flat points. Nice, light, single action.
Or, if you want a REAL big bore pistol:
Or, an FA in .475 Linebaugh. 400 grain XTP factory load from Hornady works well, and, at 1350 fps, it's easy to shoot.
You could always sell that pretender, and get either a 500 max, or, a S&W 500...
525 Grain bullets, at 1350 fps...
S
260 grain hp at 1450 fps.
I like this round. Powerful, but, doesn't kick like the 325's or bigger bullets.
Advantage would be you could use that in your S&W, and it would feel like a 22lr, compared to the absurd, high pressure stuff most factory ammo is for that gun. And, you might need your barrel replaced at 1200 rounds, or have a cut top strap.
Your only real way to get a backup gun that's more powerful would be a .480 Alaskan, or anything with a bigger bore, and heavier bullet. .500 caliber bullet, or .510, with a 450 grain Hawk hollowpoint might work.
.500 JRH, based on a Ruger would be my choice. 440 grain flat points. Nice, light, single action.
Or, if you want a REAL big bore pistol:
Or, an FA in .475 Linebaugh. 400 grain XTP factory load from Hornady works well, and, at 1350 fps, it's easy to shoot.
You could always sell that pretender, and get either a 500 max, or, a S&W 500...
525 Grain bullets, at 1350 fps...
S
tanksoldier
Member
For defense agains a bear I'd say 4" .357 loaded medium-hot with a heavy-ish JSP (158gr+).
Note that defense /= hunting. If it's a gun you INTEND to shoot at a bear, .454 Casull or equivelent.
Note that defense /= hunting. If it's a gun you INTEND to shoot at a bear, .454 Casull or equivelent.
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