LW Bear Protection .357 or .44 special

[oldRoger]

While I can add nothing to the “bear stories”, I can say that I have fired heavy BB ammunition in my 696 with no crimp jumping or other problems. I normally shoot my reloaded 255gr Keith style lead at about 1000fps in it and in my 624, again no problem.
Other things being equal, I think that the crimp jumping is to a large degree a factor of the weight of the gun.

A few months ago I handled a double rifle in 45/70 in my view exactly what I would carry for large bear defense.

 

[H Richard]

You want something that is easy to carry. My recommendation is to carry at least the 44 Spec., but research holsters that make the gun easy to carry. When I am out in SD shooting Prairie Dogs, I carry a 24-3, 44 Spec with shot loads for rattlers. A proper fitting holster, can make the carry very easy. I use a Simply Rugged holster for the 3" N Frame and it rides so well I forget I have it on, (and have forgotten it and walked into stores in town with the gun on).
This is the holster, it just happens to have my Pre 27 in it in this picture.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Grizzly - ***geddaboutit with anything under a .454 Casull IMO.

Regular brown bear still needs some horsepower and that translates into something that starts with at least a .4 and ends with magnum.

For such powerful rounds, weight is your friend. I imagine follow-up shots could be important, so a more weighty pistol will be of high value.

I carry a 3" 629 and I shoot 265g cast GCSWC @ 1200fps. I have no doubt about the penetration of this round having tested it on several impressive occasions and a few game animals including boar.

Suck it up, carry something that can get the job done safely and worry not about extra poundage for so highly important a tool for protection in bear/cougar/wolf country.