Which one: 357, 45 acp, 44 mag

[Mike Sr.]

Gonna be in Colorada on 8-26-05. Wife and I will do some extended walking in the mountains around know tourist sight's -not many people around tho- and maybe a few side excursions.

I will have a hand gun with me/on me. My 357 is a 66/2.5". Colt, 45 acp 1991A1, military style and a Ruger Blackhawk, 5.5" 44mag. Even tho I have not shot in a while I am ""QUITE"" comfortable shooting either one.

Ammo: 357, 158 grain soft point; 45 acp Hardball and BlackTalons; 44 mag, 240 grain soft point.

whadyya think?

 

[HighVelocity]

walking in the mountains

Take the 44. The 357 might be enough for big cats and small bears but you could run into a BIG bear and you'd want the most power available.

 

[Mike Sr.]

Is this too far fetched: what about my guide gun 45-70?

 

[Balog]

Colorado doesn't have any grizzlies, do they? I'd go with a .357 or .45.

 

[HighVelocity]

You should check out the CO Division of Wildlife Homepage.

Starting in early August, bears enter “hyperphagia,” a physiological state in which they must eat enormous amounts to prepare their bodies for winter hibernation. Biologists estimate that bears must consume 20,000 calories per day to build their stores of body fat to sustain them through hibernation. The primary food sources are oak brush acorns and choke cherries. This is also the time of year bears will try to find the easiest source of food available.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/

Living in Bear Country:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/LivingWithWildlife/BearCountry.asp

 

[ny32182]

I'd take the .357.

 

[doberman]

I'd take the .357MAG but I'm a bit biased. I LOVE my 66/2.5"!

 

[Eskimo Jim]

Mike,
Which one does your wife shoot best? If you pick one of the three, will she pick another of the remaining two for carry?

The 44mag would cover the bases. The 357 would be good for follow up shots.

-Jim

 

[PaladinX13]

The .357 should be pretty powerful, quicker to draw, and lighter to carry.

 

[Morgan]

I'd take the .45. Take whichever you shoot best.

Note that you're probably more likely to have issues with bipedal predators than quadrapeds.

 

[Mike Sr.]

One other thought how about my 44mag guide gun...16.5" barrel...light.

My wife does not shoot...

By the way...I was told by an LEO up there not all predators have 4-legs...

 

[fisherman66]

I don't know enough about S&W, but I think it is safe to assume it is a double action. That would make the decision easier for me. DA trumps SAO in an emergency situation.

Otherwise I'd go with the 44mag just incase (In the event they are both SA.)

 

[Dr.Rob]

There hasn't been a live grizzly seen in Colorado since 1980 or so.

.357 or .45 should be fine.

My 'backpacking gun' is a Colt Magnum Carry.

 

[RyanM]

I'd go with the .357 with this, specifically the 180 grain stuff.

The 1991 with some of this ammo (230 grain FMJ at 1010 fps from a 5" 1911) would be my second choice.

A single-action revolver is just too slow with follow-up shots.

 

[147 Grain]

You take the 357; your wife the 45 auto.

 

[Pointblank]

If you decide on a handgun, be sure to file the front sight down so it won't hurt as bad when the bear shoves it up your !!!.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The largest carnivorous animal you will see here is a 300-400 pound black bear, and they'll most likely run way as fast as they can. We have had a handful of cougar attacks over the last decade, but most were meeting engagements where a hiker/jogger came 'round the bend at the same time the cat did. Many of those engagements were not lethal to human or kitty.

Basically, don't go hiking alone in poor light and there is nothing to worry about.

That said, I usually carry my S&W 1006 when hunting or hiking. But it is more for the two legged threats (there are some weird ones up in the hills out here)

 

[gm]

which one can you present the business end the quickest?

think of it this way..if a dangerous animal comes crashing through the bushes,you wont have much time to react(seconds if youre lucky) so which one do you feel the most confidence with?

Id keep the 357 as a back up and a can of heavy duty bear repellant as the primary weapon.

 

[SUPERMAN .45]

For me take the .45 and use the .357 as your back-up gun.

 

[Taurus 66]

I had to step away from the much heated Legal and Political arena for awhile. But yeah, the .357 is plenty of power for any animal up to and including "yes" a grizzly. Remember, if you had to shoot a charging bear, it's generally going to be within 25 yards where the .357 is most effective, though I'm a bit concerned with it being a snubbie. A 4" would be better. All in all, the .357 should still do well in the field. The bullets won't just bounce off as some would tend to have you believe. It's also the noise level you want because animals are much more sensitive to gun blasts than are humans. A couple blasts from a magnum will take the fight out of most.

 

[perception]

I like those 180 gr. Buffalo Bore rounds. I bought a few for the heck of it, and they shot very well out of my 2.5 inch 686. The recoil was not too bad, and the empties slid right out, as opposed to the lighter DoubleTap's I shot, which had to be beaten out. Get some of the Buffalo Bore, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[Baba Louie]

Running Speed: Bears can run uphill and downhill and on flat ground. Lean bears can run faster than 30 miles per hour. Fat bears in their winter coats overheat and tire quickly when running.
Daily Activity Period: Most bears become active a half-hour before sunrise, take a nap or two during the day, and bed down for the night an hour or two after sunset. Some bears reverse the pattern and become nocturnal (active at night) to avoid people

http://www.bear.org/Kids/Black_Bear_Facts_Kids.html
Carry whichever one you can get the best second and third shot off accurately and quickly.
At 25 yds a surprised bear can cover that ground in 2 seconds or so... assuming he/she hits top speed immediately, which is unlikely.
How fast can you recognize the threat, draw and hit something moving at you two or three times? Less than 3 seconds? Talk about a Tueller drill...

You could always bring a dog you don't care much for and let him head out ahead of you while hiking as a bear distraction device/early warning system. Just don't tell the dog what his role is... he might not fully cooperate.

 

[Majic]

The bullets won't just bounce off as some would tend to have you believe.

A bear has a large sloping head. While running at you his head is positioned almost in the center of your target area. His sloping head can and will deflect a bullet as there is a greater chance of the bullet striking at an angle.

 

[Marshall]

Blackhawk .44 Mag

 

[pauli]

wait, you've got leverguns in 44mag and 45-70, and you're dithering over which handgun?

use enough gun. you own enough gun. you're not planning for a firefight, so ammo compatibility isn't a big deal.

take the blackhawk and the 45-70. probably overkill, but that's better than the alternative.