LW Bear Protection .357 or .44 special

magnumb · Apr 7, 2009

1. For Black Bear protection with a very light packing gun would a .357 (J-frame) or .44 special (model 396) be a better choice. 44 Mag would be better, but I want small, light, and easy to carry?

2. If it was a Grizzly is there any well placed shot that would save your bacon?

magnumb · Apr 7, 2009

1. For Black Bear protection with a very light packing gun would a .357 (J-frame) or .44 special (model 396) be a better choice. 44 Mag would be better, but I want small, light, and easy to carry?

2. If it was a Grizzly is there any well placed shot that would save your bacon?

Robert B · Apr 7, 2009

Buffalo Bore's website shows a dead 200lb black bear taken with a 44 spcl 250grain lead cast bullet. Shooter's forum has a member who has killed 19 black bears and he says to us a 250 grain lead cast bullet at 1000fps. I would use my 44 mag just in case the bear was bigger than 200lbs. I would never consider using my j frame 357!!! Stay safe.

Robert B · Apr 7, 2009

Sorry, I didn't see the grizzly part of the question. Ruger and S&W make 44 mag revolvers for grizzlies, but I've read too many stories where a rifle bullet didn't stop a grizzly very quick. A handgun and a grizzly scares me to death. I know that my 44 mag 305 grain lbt lfn going at 1150fps from Buffalo Bore would take care of any black bear though.

ENH · Apr 7, 2009

Of the two the 396 hands down with heavy Buffalo Boar loads.
With Grizzly when you can smell his breath you may have a chance with a head shot or two.

On my first trip hunting in Alaska my friend from the Alaska bush told me to file the sights off of my 44. He said it would be easier to pull it out of my A** when the Griz was done with it and me.

woodsltc · Apr 7, 2009

O'great!!! Another bear thread.

They must be coming out of hibernation.

magnumb · Apr 12, 2009

woodsltc: I really did not get any useful info from your reply. Did mean to disturb your hibernation

jimmyj · Apr 12, 2009

Hi:
You might consider a RPG.
If you are un-fortuned to miss, douse yourself with catsup (the Bear will then eat all of you)!

Seriously I don't think any handgun will be effective against Grizzley Bears.

woodsltc · Apr 12, 2009

Originally posted by magnumb:
woodsltc: I really did not get any useful info from your reply. Did mean to disturb your hibernation

Try doing a search on bears and you will find all kinds of "useful" info on what to use when bears attack ......enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or try the any of the cougar threads!!!!

rhm0351 · Apr 12, 2009

The Buffalo Bore in a 396 will cause you problems ranging from jumping bullet crimps and locking up your cylinder to potentially cracking your frame. Here is some ballistics observations I have made on the Airlite S&Ws in .44 Spl recently. http://smith-wessonforum.com/e...1000143/m/4661039343 Personally, I wouldn't choose any of the two you have listed. A very stout .357 load, that I would probably only want to put through an N-frame, would be the lightest I would consider. If bears are a legitimate concern, I hate to say it, but look at the Taurus 445 Ultra-Lite or Titanium. It's smaller than an L-frame, AND holds five shots of .44 Magnum, with the strengthened metallurgy to supposedly handle it. When I have hiked in bear country, I carried easy-packing handguns like a 9mm, .357, or .44 Spl, but a .375 H&H was slung on my shoulder for the unlikely chance I did come across one that didn't want to just pass me by. If bears are a legitimate concern, then carry what you will need to get the job done rather than what will be the least inconvenience to pack.

MrPhil · Apr 13, 2009

Had a similar conversation with a Scoutmaster recently and he didn't want to hear any of it. He was more concerned open carry of a gun would upset his scouts and their parents. He really wanted me to tell him he'd be OK with a 9mm Kahr buried in his pack.

Back on point, I'd feel comfortable with a 686 4" loaded with heavy 357 loads for most occasions. No grizz in Oregon, as far as I know. Definitely none west of the Cascades.

hihosilver13 · Apr 13, 2009

500 mag. 2 1/2 in 400 grain hard cast!!! noP.

Dale53 · Apr 13, 2009

I have only shot one bear and that was in Canada in a wilderness area.

I have MANY times back packed in bear country. I would take the biggest bear alive with a good .44 magnum revolver simply because I can shoot. It would be a bit "imprudent" to shoot a bear "around the edges" with ANY gun. It'll flat get you killed with a revolver. However, the answer is to not shoot it "around the edges" but a good killing shot with a proper cast bullet out of a heavily loaded .44 Special, .45 Colt, or .44 Magnum and the bear is finished.

That applies to EVERY animal from squirrels to hogs, to bears. Bears are NOT bullet proof but it is EXTREMELY important to make the first shot count.

I've been in on the autopsy of 35-40 bears, been treed by a couple and have shot one. They are VERY interesting animals and not something you want to tease but they are "takeable" with a good handgun by a competent shooter.

Dale53

Guest · Apr 13, 2009

Originally posted by magnumb: 2. If it was a Grizzly is there any well placed shot that would save your bacon?

I'd suggest you try for one of the eye sockets OR if the mouth is wide open, which isn't uncommon behavior for a Grizzly, I'd aim for the roof of the mouth.

Gun 4 Fun · Apr 13, 2009

I will only add that there is a world of difference in what will take a bear (especially grizzlies) when intentionally going after one, and what will stop a bear dead in its tracks when it is attacking, and coming full on in a charge.

smith revolver cop · Apr 13, 2009

Not sure there's anything "small, light, and easy to carry" that I would be content with for bear. Smallest I would even think about is a 4" K or L frame .357 with a stout load. However, I think an N frame in .44 mag would be more appropriate. (I haven't seen it mentioned in any of te replies, but would a .41 mag be
good choice? The gun would be n smaller or lighter than a .44 mag, but might be easier to shoot. I know the .41 is a hunting round, but would it be enough for bear? Just an idea.)

Guest · Apr 14, 2009

Also, I would suggest YOU carry the biggest caliber you can handle well and with the heaviest loads you can also handle well.

Generally, bears go the other way when they hear or smell a human but since humans keep crowding into their territory then the human/bear contacts get to be more common. Also the Stupid Human that goes hiking in Bear Country while munching on a candy bar is also inviting trouble!

Same goes for not keeping your food stuffs sealed and well out of reach of all the critters in the woods.

David LaPell · Apr 14, 2009

.44 magnum 250 grain hard cast bullet in my 4-inch 29-2. A .44 250 grain hard cast bullet over 7.5 grains Unique in my Smith 624.

VAdoublegunner · Apr 14, 2009

I agree w/ the above. If I think bears may be a problem (only eastern black bears here), I'll carry a 3" 624 with a good 240-250gr cast SWC at 1000fps or better. It is easy to obtain that velocity in that revolver. My usual woods carry gun is a 3" SP101 with a 160gr SWC at max. If camping out west and worried about bigger bears, my choice would be different.

flstfdean · Apr 14, 2009

Just bring someone from Washington DC that does not run as fast as you do....That way a 342 will be just fine...

LW Bear Protection .357 or .44 special

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Guest

Guest

SWCA Member

Member

Guest

Guest

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads