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02-03-2015, 12:32 PM
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A .44 magnum is not adequate for bear?? Something we all need to remember is that a .44 magnum is a VERY POWERFUL round and has been around a long time, it has taken some of the largest game on earth, and will continue to do so.
The .44 magnum is the round all others are compared to, from less powerful rounds right up to today's monster handgun rounds. Are you better off with a .454 Casull, .460 or .500 Smith or one of the Linebaugh offerings, maybe so but don't shy away from the .44 magnum for big game, it's plenty adequate in the right hands.
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02-03-2015, 07:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567
I know .44 really isn't adequate for bear. And I really don't plan on being in bear country, but CA is about to close the door on Internet handgun ammo sales. So I figured now's the best time to purchase while my selection isn't limited to the stock on hand at the local GS.
I see there's several hard cast style loads available, but some of these seem like they're only safe in rifles or heavy frame .44's like Rugers.
What's recommended and safe to shoot out of a new production 4" 629 if need for SD in bear country.
Thanks.
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What gave you the idea that a 44 mag isn't adequate for bear? Larry Kelly (of Mag-Na-Port fame) has knocked off even bigger critters with a revolver.
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03-03-2015, 01:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry from Bend
When horse packing in Grizzly country (MT's Bob Marshall) I carry a 5" 629 Classic loaded with 285 grain Hard Cast bullets that I handload to about 1200 fps. When I'm living in a tent in Black Bear country (NE Oregon) I use the same 629 but with 240 grain Hollow Points. I expect the Grizzly that I see in MT to be twice the size of the Black I see in Oregon. Big difference.
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I like my 458 WM for Grizzly,
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05-17-2015, 08:26 AM
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Surprised to see that this thread is still alive! I did one of the earlier posts, but a few years later and with a lot more experience, this is what I am carrying:
Remember, this is BLACK BEAR DEFENSIVE shooting. More and more, my work has me all over the western US out in the field, and camping out in bear country for weeks at a time. Experience has shown that the only practical guns to carry working outdoors all day long, are the snubby .44's. Carried cross-draw in a DeSantis Dual Angle Hunter holster, the draw is very fast. But, for rain, snow, dust, dirt, or mud especially while riding vehicles, only a fanny pack will insure that the gun stays clean and dry, but that slows the draw down some.
Where weight matters (mountain biking, dirt biking, hiking, backpacking), I carry a S&W 329NG (2.5"), loaded with Hornady 240gr XTP. This load is superbly accurate in this gun! Recoil is quite manageable even for this light gun, and I can make an accurate very fast one handed first shot, with quick recovery for a second shot.
Where weight doesn't matter (short distance hiking, camping off the truck, ATV riding) , I carry a Ruger Alaskan (2.5"), loaded with Buffalo Bore 305 gr LBT-LFN hardcast. Again, this load is superbly accurate in this gun! In spite of the short barrel, this is still a big heavy gun with excellent Hogue grips that tame the recoil very nicely. (Even firing the hotter Buffalo Bore and Garrett +P loads, I have never had even a hint of bullet creep.)
When (very rarely) in GRIZZLY country, I will step up to the .454 Ruger Alaskan, loaded with Buffalo Bore 360gr LBT-LFN or a new even hotter Garrett 365 gr load (and keep a .45-70 lever gun around camp). Both these loads are superbly accurate in the short Alaskan as well!
Last edited by off road; 05-17-2015 at 09:00 AM.
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05-17-2015, 09:05 AM
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Nothing like a good opinion piece to show how well we get along!
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05-17-2015, 10:20 PM
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I like the Buffalo Bore 270 grain JFN round in my 629 Classic. Hits hard! Black bears are not difficult to drop nor are they aggressive.
NC
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05-18-2015, 01:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567
I know .44 really isn't adequate for bear. And I really don't plan on being in bear country, but CA is about to close the door on Internet handgun ammo sales. So I figured now's the best time to purchase while my selection isn't limited to the stock on hand at the local GS.
I see there's several hard cast style loads available, but some of these seem like they're only safe in rifles or heavy frame .44's like Rugers.
What's recommended and safe to shoot out of a new production 4" 629 if need for SD in bear country.
Thanks.
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Click it
__________________
David
CW3 USA (Ret) 1968-1990
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05-18-2015, 08:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567
Just ordered some 300 gr. solid lead flatnose ammo from BB & Grizzly. I think each loading was pushing around 1300 fps.
With this order, I'll have several options for my 629.
I also have a .41 mag MG to feed, but I'll hold off on that.
Thanks for everyone's help.
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For the .41, if you want penetration get some of the original Remington 210 Jacketed Soft Points. The points flatten slightly but doesn't hamper penetration at all. Velocity is 1250+- fps from a 4".
The Federal 250 CastCore is fairly mild at 1080 fps from a 4". It will penetrate just like the soft point round.... If you want hotter Buffalo Bore and CorBon boost the velocity of the heavies a bit...with added recoil.
Bob
Last edited by SuperMan; 05-18-2015 at 08:40 PM.
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05-22-2015, 11:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NCavi8tor
I like the Buffalo Bore 270 grain JFN round in my 629 Classic. Hits hard! Black bears are not difficult to drop nor are they aggressive.
NC
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I like this load, but in a way it is to much and not enough. It is to hot for the lightweight alloy 329NG (even BB doesn't recommend it for alloy guns), and if I am shooting the big heavy Alaskan, might as well go with a heavier, hotter load.
I have tried to like BB's 255gr Keith "lower recoil" load for the 329, but I have to say that accuracy is pretty poor. It shoots a full 4" high, and the NG doesn't have adjustable sights. Plus the spread is more than I like, but still probably good enough for something the size of a bear.
I know that the Hornady 240gr XTP seems light for bears, but it is so wonderfully accurate and controlable, for me that trumps everything else.
Last edited by off road; 05-22-2015 at 11:46 PM.
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11-28-2015, 08:13 PM
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Hey errolhill I went bear hunting in Errol NH about twelve years ago. Beautiful country up there. I used a Speer 270 in my 44 mag but didn't connect. There was plenty of acorns that year so not too many bears out and about.
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04-15-2017, 03:56 PM
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I'm very late to this party but for anyone interested I just spoke with a very pleasant Tech Rep from Corbon in regards to heavier loadings offered in .44 Magnum. I have some older rounds from my days in the North West part of the Cowboy state, the .44 305 grain LFN which has since been discontinued. was advised that these loadings are SAMMI spec and perfectly safe in Steel frame Model 29's and all of their variants. Since I am returning in the near future and wished to utilize them once more in a .44 Mtn Gun I called as it's been awhile.
On a side note I let my Pooch out Thursday night about 2230 and she suddenly shot over to the other side of the fenced area and began barking. Thinking a Skunk was afoot I got my Flashlight and went to retrieve her and when I illuminated the area she was looking into I saw a rather large Black Bear standing there. I'm going to say 350 -400 pounds and he was beautiful. Shiny black fur and very full to boot. I yelled at him to vamoose and she continued to bark and he just didn't seemed very inclined to vamoose. I reckon if your that large you don't have to. Bears are not uncommon here and I've only had to use exceptional means to motivate one to depart in the past but this guy was either very curious or just didn't care if we barked and yelled. Just goes to show that they can and do appear whenever the darned well feel like it.
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04-15-2017, 04:57 PM
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My S&W 29-3 .44 Magnum with 300-Gr. cast flat points by Federal will
handle any black bear. If I were to go where the big brown ones are
(Grizzly) I would prefer a 12-Gauge wlth big slugs. If he is coming right
at you aim right under the chin. If you have an angle, shoot for right
under an ear. Either of the these neck shots would be quick killers.
Head shots are difficult because he is swinging his head side to side.
A good shoulder shot will knock the bear down or roll him, but you
will need a follow up shot.
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05-04-2017, 11:13 PM
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Black bears are pretty soft, compared to other big game. I have come around to the notion that the ~300 grain, hardcast .44 loads are over matched for black bear. Way to much zip-through potential! Save these for grizzly, bison, moose, and elk size animals....
Ashley Emerson (Garrett Cartridges) tells me he will be shortly coming out with a 250 grain load, in his hardcast alloy and with the same bullet nose shape with optimized meplat, as the 310 grain Defender/Hammerhead. With a lower sectional density, it should not have so much zip-through, yet still penetrate more than deep enough even on a black bear frontal defensive shot. (Maybe also a .44 Special load as well, using the same bullet?) Should end up being my go-to load for black bear in the southwest, where there aren't any grizzlies.
Last edited by off road; 05-04-2017 at 11:22 PM.
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09-08-2017, 01:09 AM
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California Lead-free Regs
We're headed to pan for gold. Sierras. I don't hunt, but I'm scared s!@tless of certain wild animals...bear, cougar, pigs, rattlers, which except for pigs are plentiful in Sierra.
There exists a regulation in CA banning lead ammo while hunting. It breaks down like this, ok...According to the 2 enforcement officers I spoke with, as they clarified from the CA website, is that the reg affects only the Condor Range, and lands run by CA Fish & Wildlife. The exception is if the ammo is for self defense. In our case it is.
It's down to 2 rounds...Buffalo Bore 305 at a higher velocity, Federal 300 at a lower velocity. Both hard cast, gas checked, flat nose. I'll suppose the lower velocity will kick less and allow me to get back on target faster. I'll buy each and find out.
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340, 44 magnum, 629, carbine, crimp, gunsmith, hornady, model 29, mountain gun, n-frame, recessed, redhawk, remington, smith-wessonforum.com |
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