357 or 44 Magnum for Black Bear Protection ??

Well made point, Voyager.
I don't think the small arm has been made that would give me a sense of comfort in brown bear country

Just wondering: how did our forefathers avoid being eaten before big, powerful handguns?

Maybe we can start calling these "YABT" for short.

No bears in my neck of the woods but feral hogs abound. I don't carry for protection but to kill every dang one I see.
 
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I also think about running into a wounded bear. Some hunters think they can place a shot anywhere and kill it. My uncle warned me many decades if you don't have a good kill shot let it go. Don't wound it.

With black bears most of the time if there not boxed in and have a way out they will run away from you. A mountainlion will stalk you.
 
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I have to say it kind of cracks me up when a guy asks whether he should get a 357 or a 44, and people start chiming in with 10mm or 41 Mag. We gun guys think we are so smart......

I guess I think a 44 would be a better choice for bear medicine, and the Model 69 is an L frame just like the 686, so similar weight/bulk. But a 357 is certainly a viable choice and I suppose it would depend somewhat on what other purposes I might have in mind for the gun. Home defense? A 357 makes lots more sense. A range or plinking gun? Again, unless you handload a 357 is a much better option. If the gun is going to be used for the singular purpose of bear protection, get the 44.
 
I would prefer a 44 mag super Blackhawk it has more knockdown power than any of the othersI hunted in Northwest for about five years and always caredOne with me


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I was in an Apple orchard in the highest corner over looking the Apple trees bear hunting with my 30-06. On my left was the 4' to 6' high grass. This was part of the national forest which was an old farm on a mountain side. We're in the upper Apple orchard. As things settled down and became quiet after a bird Hunter left we had a bear coming straight at us in the high grass. He was very close to me within 20' or so. When a little bird go in the Apple tree near me and sang a tune to the bear, danger, danger go back. The bear turned back and stayed in the thick brush and made a large U turn around the orchard till he got behind us. He stayed in the thick cover the whole time.

Ever hear the bird noise pick up as we walk in the forest? It's nature's alarm system. My point is this alarm system works both ways.
 
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jtcarm said:
Not a strong opinion, but if I were buying a gun specifically for bear protection, it'd be a .44, or the Glock 10mm I saw someone mention.
.
Click to expand...

How is that Glock would make any difference? :)
 
I've never had an opportunity with a bear, but I have dropped a 380lb charging boar hog at 20 yds with a 6" model 66 loaded with PMC Simi - jacketed flat nose 158gr.?
 
I am retired from an East coast state game and fisheries department. The state has a large black bear population. The current sidearm is a Glock in 40 S&W. A colt m4, or an option of 12 gauge. All three have been used to dispatch bears. I am fine with a .357. I carry a .380 and it would be possible to encounter a bear at anytime. Bear attacks are very rare unless the bear has been fed by humans. Fed bear is a dead bear.
 
Personal experience; .357 just made it mad and maybe hurt. Bear spray works best. Next time if there ever is one nothing less than .44 Mag in nothing less than a 6" barrel. IMHO.
 
Do NOT get caught with ammo loaded with lead projectiles. Your wonderful governor just signed a bill into law that prevents this. NO EXCEPTIONS....
 
Texas Star said:
BTW, I read a true account where two doctors hunting in Alaska were dressing out a caribou or moose when a big grizzly went for them. They'd foolishly set their rifles some distance away and a Ruger Super Blackhawk stainless .44 Magnum was the only gun within reach. It sufficed. I don't recall if the man who wrote up the incident mentioned the exact ammunition.
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Probably not as I am sure he had a very serious laundry problem in his shorts.
 
Neither, but I'd get the 500 Magnum.


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I've shot a .500 for two weeks in a review, I wouldn't trade one of my M66 speed loaders for the. 500 I would have to carry over 20 mike?
I sometimes shoot 100+ rounds in my 66 @ our range. To shoot 100 rounds through a. 500 regularly your going to develop a good case of Carpetonal Syndrome a required surgery?
CC I'm all about JMB's work, I carry a wheel and a bolt to woods. With reconnaissance on what is in my OPA of course.
 
Kid44 said:
Are you questioning your own load?
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@Kid44
No Sir, if I gave that impression forgive me. I just stated, no bear encounter knowledge.
They were discussing .357 capabilities, so I shared what I factually knew a .357 easily handled for me personally? Pissed off big hog in the East TN woods.
In no way am I encluding sandbox hunting trips.
 
rajbcpa said:
Do NOT get caught with ammo loaded with lead projectiles. Your wonderful governor just signed a bill into law that prevents this. NO EXCEPTIONS....
Click to expand...
Uh....my brother, what hasn't the government signed a bill on that had the words "Guns or Ammo" in it since several administrations back?
 
I always carry my 4" double Mag-Na-Ported 629 with Pachmeyer Decelerator grips loaded with Federal 300 grain hard cast ammo in black bear country. I have no question in my mind that I am well equipped for a black bear encounter but that, too, is JMHO.
 
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