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  #1  
Old 03-24-2014, 12:52 AM
JimWest JimWest is offline
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Default What .44 Mag for bear?

What off the shelf bear stopper rounds? Hold off on the bear advice. I know. This is for when all else fails, pull the S&W Model 629 and deliver. ???
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Old 03-24-2014, 01:28 AM
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Sorry, but you do not give a location. A NC bear is different than an Alaskan bear.

I have some 300gr 44 mag by Corbon.

Caliber: 44 Rem Mag
Bullet Wt.: 300gr CORBON Hunter FPPN
Velocity: 1250fps
Energy: 1058ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 8.375 Inches
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Old 03-24-2014, 02:05 AM
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In factory loads:
My first pick would be the hard cast 44 Mag loads from Garrett, suitable for the S&W N Frame. Second would be a hard cast from Buffalo Bore, Third a hard cast from CorBon, fourth the 300gr Cast Core from Federal.

If recoil is an issue then the 255 gr hard cast Lower Recoil load from Buffalo Bore.
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Old 03-24-2014, 02:35 AM
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Words of wisdom from Randy Garret:

Garrett Cartridges Inc.
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Old 03-25-2014, 01:33 AM
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Thanks for the info. Got my thinking cap going in the right direction.
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Old 03-25-2014, 07:17 AM
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In the past I have used both the Sierra 300 gr. JSP and the Hornady XTP 300 gr. JHP in my reloaded ammunition for the .44 mag. I have taken two black bear in ME using each of these loads.
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Old 03-25-2014, 10:31 PM
JimWest JimWest is offline
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That Garrett is some expensive ammo! But interesting analysis from them regarding bullet hardness and velocities. In my case, the .44 mag is a 4" barrel.
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Old 03-25-2014, 10:37 PM
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Bear Stopper?? Black or Brown? How good are you at hitting a 3 gallon bucket, running at you at 35 mph?? Now if you are talking about hunting a black inside 50 yds any of the loads will work, I am partial to the 240 and 300 XTP. I use a 4" 629. Be Safe,
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Old 03-25-2014, 10:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vipermd View Post
Bear Stopper?? Black or Brown? How good are you at hitting a 3 gallon bucket, running at you at 35 mph?? Now if you are talking about hunting a black inside 50 yds any of the loads will work, I am partial to the 240 and 300 XTP. I use a 4" 629. Be Safe,
I neglected to carry over my objective from another thread. Here it is:

"I've fired a few hand cannons in my time. This 629 will probably bring the experience quick to mind. For some reason I decided to buy this as a backup since I'm traveling alone in bear country more. But my first line of defense is: brain, bear spray, gun, prayer. In that order. I've had close (physical) contact with black bear and casual (passing) encounters with grizz. All while unarmed maybe now I'm just getting paranoid or feel my numbers coming. Life goes on..."

So, not for hunting. Sorry for not being clear.
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Old 03-25-2014, 11:41 PM
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IIRC, the Federal Cast Core has been recommended by either Garret or Tim Sundles (Buffaloe Bore Ammo) if you need something more readily available than the boutique ammo.

Here is Mr.Sundles take on bear ammo:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...ct_list&c=62#9

Also, HSM has got their own line of bear loads, too:
HSM 44 Magnum 305 gr. 'BEAR LOAD', New

Good Luck!
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Old 03-26-2014, 05:29 PM
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That is some great info, 2hawk. Good read. Sundles opinion parallels my own expriences.
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Old 03-26-2014, 06:19 PM
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I'm partial to the HSMs...
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Old 03-26-2014, 07:08 PM
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Better get it loaded with something - they're waking up!
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Old 03-26-2014, 10:56 PM
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Dang it, BubbaJoe. Y'all got me scared so I ordered some...

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Old 03-27-2014, 10:20 AM
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I still agree with a big hard cast for stopping, with the caveat of real practice. Last June my wife was fishing in AK, carrying a SW 500 4", and bear spray. She fortunately did not need either, but, she had spent the time with the 500 so that she could shoot quickly, more than once and hit the target. I suggest if you are serious about using the 629 you incorporate "realistic" practice. I do not know your range access/ type of range so these are a few suggestions: Have a friend drag a 3 gallon bucket on a rope behind a 4-wheeler, increase speed as capable. Stand back to the target, gun holstered, blindfolded, have same friend set up a target- paper-> bear, bullseye,elk/moose, mother with child- have them start screaming at you to start, ( note) continue the screaming till the "threat is down". You need to be able to hit quickly, effectively, ( I never miss)???? But I would suggest that you work on a second shot. A paper mache bear is a nice touch, a moose can stomp you into the ground, and the mother with child is probably not a threat, but all will force you to think. I like pepper spray option, ( big can ) if wind allows. I love bears, seeing them, photos, eating them, I respect them. If all else fails a slow enemy and a 25 auto to the knee could work. Be Aware, think, Be Safe,
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Old 03-27-2014, 12:07 PM
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Good suggestion for bear encounter simulation. I ran that by my friend and he said he'd help out- My 4x4 and a 1 mile rope attached to the 3 gal jug. Might be trying to tell me something.
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Old 03-27-2014, 04:36 PM
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Congratulations! You've started the 1,000,000th bear thread on this forum! Tell him what he's won, guys.
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Old 03-27-2014, 08:39 PM
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Won? ZONK, NADA, NOTIN,
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Old 03-27-2014, 10:25 PM
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1,000,000th bear thread posted here? I don't think so. No. Just no. However, after posting on other topic forums "Google is your friend, Noob", I started this thread by violating my own advice. So checking retroactively, the ammo forum for this subject, I find that posted here, in this thread are some new recommendations and links to other information not found elsewhere. And I graciously thank all of you for posting your advice and references.
For those of you that provided the chiding and other facetious humor, I say, I deserved it. Carry on!
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Old 03-28-2014, 12:55 PM
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I guess most of them are posted in the lounge and not the ammunition section. However, there's nearly always a current bear thread in the lounge.

I hope I didn't offend you.
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Old 03-28-2014, 01:02 PM
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Bear threads are fun -- although everything that can be said has been said a million times.

A typical bear thread:

Someone asks if a 357 magnum is good for bear defense.

Someone else says you need at least a 44 of 454.

Others feel a 500 S&W is better.

Then another poster comments that some Indian somewhere killed a grizzly with a 22LR.

And somewhere along the line, someone comments it doesn't matter what gun you have, shoot your buddy in the knee cap and run like heck.

Then someone usually says bring a pump 12 ga shotgun or a 45-70 lever action.

Then it's at least a 338 Winchester or preferably a 375 H&H or a 458 Remington.

At this point, I usually point out that an RPG works well, but can be messy.

On one thread, another guy one-upped my RPG and says he prefers to nuc the bear from orbit.

Last edited by Cal44; 03-28-2014 at 02:02 PM.
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Old 03-28-2014, 01:07 PM
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The CEO of my company is a world renown bow hunter. He once told me that if you plan on carrying ANY revolver for defense against a bear to save the last round for yourself.

He carries a 12ga 870 with no stock in a bandolier type holster as a back up when bear hunting.

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Old 03-28-2014, 01:19 PM
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For black bear, the various loads above.

For brown bear/Kodiak or grizzly, I agree with Speedie guy's boss. No less than a 12-ga/strong 45-70.

Somewhere in my prints (it was that long ago), I have a photo of a brown bear a friend shot near Lake Clark, AK. I'm sitting on the dead bear's front shoulder. The bear's head was two and a half feet wide from ear to ear. Some of those critters are just flat big.

BTW, he was using a 45-70 hard-cast 430 gr. handload bumped up to 1900 fps.
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Old 03-29-2014, 02:01 AM
NE450No2 NE450No2 is offline
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Also let me add that I have spent a lot of time hunting in bear country in Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
The wife and I backpack hunted for black bear, and grouse in Montana 10 years in a row, in Griz country. We had several close calls, within 20 yards, of several Griz and a few black bears. We always carried 4" S&W 44 Mags in addition to our rifles.

With a 44 Mag handgun if you are attacked, you have a chance of living.

We practiced quite a bit, and I felt that we had a BIG chance of surviving.

At night in the tent, I would sleep wearing my 44 Mag, and 2 speed loaders.

The reason???

IF a bear grabs you in the night, IF your handgun is NOT attached to your body, you will never find it.
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Old 03-29-2014, 02:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal44 View Post
Bear threads are fun -- although everything that can be said has been said a million times.

A typical bear thread:

Someone asks if a 357 magnum is good for bear defense.

Someone else says you need at least a 44 of 454.

Others feel a 500 S&W is better.

Then another poster comments that some Indian somewhere killed a grizzly with a 22LR.

And somewhere along the line, someone comments it doesn't matter what gun you have, shoot your buddy in the knee cap and run like heck.

Then someone usually says bring a pump 12 ga shotgun or a 45-70 lever action.

Then it's at least a 338 Winchester or preferably a 375 H&H or a 458 Remington.

At this point, I usually point out that an RPG works well, but can be messy.

On one thread, another guy one-upped my RPG and says he prefers to nuc the bear from orbit.
Any chance of making this a sticky thread???
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