seabright60
Member
Watching videos after video of what's better for bear defense between a 44 magnum revolver and a 10 mm semi auto and im thinking neither!! Its my 500 s and w!! Why mess around? Im bringing my 4 inch 500.....
Bear defense
- Thread starter seabright60
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The Kid
Member
Hits are what truly counts.
I lived in Alaska and spent much time outdoors for 10 years. Had many friends who did the same. Knew several guys who had to shoot a charging bear with their handgun. In each case one solid hit was enough to end the attack and not all of them were head shots. 44 mags and specials used by my personal friends though I did talk to a fella who made the papers when he killed a charging bear with a 9mm to the noggin.
One friend remarked that when the grizzly was charging him his paws looked big as frying pans and his head (that he was trying to hit) small as a marble.
No handgun is going to be as effective as a handy rifle or carbine as far as power and shootability. Handgun is about convenience and ease of carrying so you have it with you. I’d rather a 30/30 carbine of similar weight than a 500 I have to lug around.
I lived in Alaska and spent much time outdoors for 10 years. Had many friends who did the same. Knew several guys who had to shoot a charging bear with their handgun. In each case one solid hit was enough to end the attack and not all of them were head shots. 44 mags and specials used by my personal friends though I did talk to a fella who made the papers when he killed a charging bear with a 9mm to the noggin.
One friend remarked that when the grizzly was charging him his paws looked big as frying pans and his head (that he was trying to hit) small as a marble.
No handgun is going to be as effective as a handy rifle or carbine as far as power and shootability. Handgun is about convenience and ease of carrying so you have it with you. I’d rather a 30/30 carbine of similar weight than a 500 I have to lug around.
OP
seabright60
Member
Youre right but I was strictly talking about the hand gun vs handgun debate and my 500 s and w with 600-700 grain underwood rounds are so superior to a 10mm or a 44 magnum as far as smashing through a grizzly bears skull ,bones ,muscle etc that if I had to have hand gun id go buy a 500 if I were the people debating what's better between the 10 and the 44. But sure a rifle is always better.
With those 600-700gr loads, firing DA as fast as you can, at a B27 target at
10-15 yards, can you keep all 5 on the paper?
10-15 yards, can you keep all 5 on the paper?
OP
seabright60
Member
Yes but I get that the paper doesn't have claws and teeth sprinting at me possibly with no warning, so my logic is to maximize my chance for a 1 shot drop/stop. The 10mm would be easier to get follow up shots but what if I only get 1 0r 2 shots off? Is how I think. The 700 grain is really what id carry most likely, one shot is all I may get so....With those 600-700gr loads, firing DA as fast as you can, at a B27 target at
10-15 yards, can you keep all 5 on the paper?
OP
seabright60
Member
Id choose the 44 magnum over the 10 mm for the same reasoning, sure id get 67 percent more capacity but with the 44 id get 67 percent more damage per shot. Best case scenario you see the bear first and have your rifle, I get that.With those 600-700gr loads, firing DA as fast as you can, at a B27 target at
10-15 yards, can you keep all 5 on the paper?
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It would probably be better if you just made friends with the bear and shared a beer then he wouldn't want to hurt you and you would not want to shoot him
OP
seabright60
Member
You first lol
This is why God invented 12 ga. Shotguns.
OP
seabright60
Member
True ,original debate was about hand guns for bear defense tho. I guess I could bring my shock wave with slugs since technically its not a rifle lol
When ever I camped in Grizzly land it was in my van and I had a fairly short double barrel 12 ga. as my first line of defense. S&W Airweight .38 was number two. Tents are for happy meals. Motorcycle tours I stayed in motels.
The Kid
Member
I once shot a mildly loaded Keith bullet cast from wheel weights through a pretty good sized bear diagonally. Load was 9gr of Unique under Lyman 429421 in 44 mag cases and a shade over 1100fps. Bullet broke the shoulder, no huge feat as contrary to popular legend bears are lightly boned compared to ungulates of similar size, a couple ribs, chest cavity internals, on into the assorted guts behind the diaphragm, and on to exit the meaty part of the edge of the hindquarter. Probably close onto 4 foot of plowing. Nothing could have possibly rendered more penetration because there was no more to be had.
I’ve also shot bears through the skull, it’s really no thicker than or magically angled to deflect bullets than any other similar sized creature.
Take whatever you can make hits with, load it with flat nosed bullets of sturdy construction to aid in straight line penetration. Forget about all the theoretical magazine add nonsense about energy and knockdown power and all the other sales pitch stuff. Hits are what counts.
I’ve also shot bears through the skull, it’s really no thicker than or magically angled to deflect bullets than any other similar sized creature.
Take whatever you can make hits with, load it with flat nosed bullets of sturdy construction to aid in straight line penetration. Forget about all the theoretical magazine add nonsense about energy and knockdown power and all the other sales pitch stuff. Hits are what counts.
OP
seabright60
Member
What kind of bear?
There's a lot of research data that shows Counter Assault Bear Repellent is more effective than a handgun. It was developed by the University of Montana. Goggle the research. Pretty interesting.
OP
seabright60
Member
Wind,extreme hunger,cub protection, rain ,idk man ,im not relying on spray when it comes to something that can kill me with ease in 2 seconds if it gets to me.
The Kid
Member
I have killed brown and grizzly, both technically the same aside from diet and habitat, and black bears. I also worked for an outfit that guided for both species and saw more become rugs that way.
Where are you headed and what are you planning to do out in the bush where you’re preparing for bear encounters?
Where are you headed and what are you planning to do out in the bush where you’re preparing for bear encounters?
OP
seabright60
Member
The Kid
Member
The bear I shot in the story above was a black bear.
OP
seabright60
Member
You think it wouldve killed a brown bear?
The Kid
Member
Zero doubt in my mind.
OP
seabright60
Member
So you said 9 grain? , im mot doubting you its just i dont see how ,there must be something I dont know about your description of the round used , ive never even seen a 9 grain round unless you meant 90?
My Bear medicine....
OP
seabright60
Member
Same one I have lol, surprisingly accurate and smooth , I had different expectations before I bought it and was pleasantly surprisedMy Bear medicine....
The Kid
Member
9 grains of Unique powder pushing a 245 grain Elmer Keith designed semi wadcutter cast from a Lyman mold number 429421.
OP
seabright60
Member
Hahaha! Now I get it.
Good day,My Bear medicine....
What's the model number of that 500?
Looks like a 2.75" barrel.
Thanks
RT
I'm not sure of the model #, gun came to me unboxed.
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Having grown up in Alaska, bear spray actually works and works well. But it’s still backed up by a 44 magnum. Anything less is dangerous.
OP
seabright60
Member
So what about using a hard cast 240 grain 44 magnum? Is that enough pop
Maybe I spoke too soon earlier, mine is a 4 inch and I thought that was the smallest barrel they made.
