Choice of Revolver against Grizzly Bear attack.

[44MAG#1]

Eight more posts and there will be as many posts as there are in the thread "Handgun Stopping Power"

[robertbank]

robertbank: I really enjoy your posts. In one you talked about taking the test and I thought it required 6 rounds in X time; did your guide friend with the .460 do a speed reload? I was thinking when I read the test post that it's strange they would count out the 500 (me thinking it'd be hard to get off the 6 shots in the required time); I have a speed loader for it, but have never tried to use it in a timed event.

Can you describe your charging bear set up?

The bear targets I've seen (Action Targets) is 23x35 paper with a 10 3/4" score ring.

Bill used speed loaders to do a reload when required to do so. He was about 5'6" tall and weighed no more than 165lbs and managed the 460. I declined an offer to shoot six rounds through it. Hurt is hurt and after my experience shooting one round out of a 500S&W a few years earlier my memory was fresh enough to remember...hurt is hurt! The Wilderness Test only uses statice targets with an 18" diameter scoring ring. You must get 18 rds into three targets set at 5, 10 and 15 yards. The rounds are shot in strings.

The charging bear target, used by the Forestry folks for their requalification was just a large cardboard bear mounted on lath attached to an electric driven four wheel cart arrangement. From watching the Forestry Officers it was quite challenging. I do not know what the pass/fail level was but it certainly was realistic. It was shot with their shotguns using slugs . It was timed, and the start position was from the low ready position. The whole idea was to ensure the officers were proficient in the use of their shotguns. The target is also run horizontally. The range surface is not smooth so you can imagine the effect of the bumpy ground would have on a mounted target. Beyond that I am not sure how they were scored by the examiner ir indeed if they were scored at all. That cemented my belief that a large heavy handgun mounted in any kind of chest/belt holster was not going to do much for most if a surprise visit from Whinny the Poo were to occur.

Smith brought out their 629 in a 2" for their Alaskan market, which would be my choice if the barrel length was legal here and I could handle the recoil, which I can't. Right now I have two options, both work for me. a) 4.2"/105.14MM Ruger GP-100/686 Smith loaded with 200 gr RN or b) a 4.2" Ruger GP-100 40 S&W loaded with 200 gr plated. I have a 12 gauge Mossberg Defender in stainless steel with five slugs as a primary. I don't get out as much as I once did but that is what I shoot well with, practice with and can manage well. If you can draw and shoot the big guns fast then fill your boots. I can't so I don't bother with them.

I should add my 686 is a former US Customs/FBI gun with the FBI Mod to the cylinder. It was deemed to be a 4" (102MM) gun but carries a 105.14MM barrel. This makes the gun restricted up here not Prohibitive. I bet you feel safer knowing the gun has a barrel .14MM longer than 105MM which is the length the barrel must exceed to only be restricted. :>). I know of four other US CS guns all of which have barrels slightly greater than 105MM. If anyone on this site has one of the 686 No Das US Custom Service handguns it would interesting to hear if their barrels are greater than 105MM.

I apologize for any confusion I may have caused between the Wilderness Permit testing and the drills the Forestry folks go through.

Take Care

Bob

[Three44s]

Let me know when you get a 300 grain bullet to nearly 1300 fps out of a 4" 44 magnum. When you do, I'll believe your claims that 45 Colt isn't "magnum force." Or simply consult a reloading manual--there are book 45 Colt loads that exceed anything a 44 Magnum can do. They just can't be shot out of a S&W.



They don't call it the "Ruger Only" page for nothing!

Knowing what I know now, I could have gone with a .45 LC in a shortened Redhawk and been very well served.

However, the OP is very invested in .44 Mag and wants to remain with that cartridge.

Now, let’s take it up another notch, as my top baby is the .480 in a 7.5” SRH. I have the Mihech mold with pins to do upto 420 gr slugs and the RCBS that weighs in around 400 plus.

Going above that to the likes of the Linebaughs costs a bunch more dollars so I liken my 480 as a “Poor boy Linebaugh”!

Three44s

[Thumbcocker]

Eight more posts and there will be as many posts as there are in the thread "Handgun Stopping Power"

Bear attacks and gunfights always get long threads.

[memtb]

Bear attacks and gunfights always get long threads.

Imagine the number of potential posts if the topic were “Gunfights with Bears! memtb

[Thumbcocker]

It is not new. I read an article from the 1950's where the author opined that based on interest it would seem that all pistol shooters worried about were gunfights and bear attacks. His article went on to praise surplus. 32 acp pistols for woods bumming guns.

Here the op has a legitimate need. Since I have never been in a gunfight or attacked by a bear or gunfought a bear I have not had much to say on the topic.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[memtb]

It is not new. I read an article from the 1950's where the author opined that based on interest it would seem that all pistol shooters worried about were gunfights and bear attacks. His article went on to praise surplus. 32 acp pistols for woods bumming guns.

Here the op has a legitimate need. Since I have never been in a gunfight or attacked by a bear or gunfought a bear I have not had much to say on the topic.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I rest my case, an article written in the 1950’s.....and it’s still being talked about! memtb

[DougGuy]

Eight more posts and there will be as many posts as there are in the thread "Handgun Stopping Power"

And the bottom line in both threads??? BIGGER *IS* BETTER! Now, was that so hard to figure out that we used up how many posts and STILL haven't arrived at the red ink?

It's also obvious that this isn't the OP's first foray into griz country, and nowhere near his first griz kill (by his own bragging), and the decision to stay with 44 magnum 7 1/2" is set in stone, I would say this is nothing more than a troll post.

[littlejack]

Lol, It worked.

[Beerd]

anything to pad my post count
..

[downzero]

And the bottom line in both threads??? BIGGER *IS* BETTER! Now, was that so hard to figure out that we used up how many posts and STILL haven't arrived at the red ink?

It's also obvious that this isn't the OP's first foray into griz country, and nowhere near his first griz kill (by his own bragging), and the decision to stay with 44 magnum 7 1/2" is set in stone, I would say this is nothing more than a troll post.

As much as it wouldn't be my choice, a 7.5" .42 magnum would do the job just fine.

[LeonardC]

Troll or not, I always enjoy these threads and often pick up a bit of information or hear about someone's experience with such things.

In my world I substitue "Moose" for "Bear" as we come close to them fairly often.

[jonp]

As much as it wouldn't be my choice, a 7.5" .42 magnum would do the job just fine.

Where did you pick up a 42 Mag?

[jonp]

A moose is a large deer and not particularly hard to put down. A charging grizzly on the other hand would be terrifying. A 44mag is great, a 45LC using Linebaugh loads better. A 454 or 460 loaded as hard as you can stand even better but in any case be prepared for damage.

I have read about some carrying a 10mm and it makes sense throwing as much lead as possible downrange and hoping for the best. I diubt many on this sight or anywhere for that matter have the training or backbone to sling lead till till the bear hits you.

I have never faced a charging brown/griz and hope never to without a 12g throwing mag slugs or a 50cal full auto

[downzero]

Where did you pick up a 42 Mag?

44 Magnum is a byproduct of the earlier healed bullet era, called 44 but actually .429. Since I round my .452 Colt (I guess originally .454) to .45, I do the same for 44 Magnum.

After I discovered the Ruger only 45 Colt page, I wondered why 44 Magnum was ever even invented.

[littlejack]

I've heard the .44 referred to as the .43 Magnum. I think I would go with that, if were rounding up numbers.

[robertbank]

I'm not sure if you're trying to make a point here, but any make of firearm abused/neglected in that fashion would look the same. There's simply no excuse for that. Curious as to who's paying for these pistols that he manages to destroy on an annual basis. If he worked for me and treated my tools like that I'd fire him.

I wish we al lived and worked in the same environment but we don't. The guide in question is responsible for his guests, running up fjords in high speed supply boats sitting for hours in damp rainy conditions waiting for the elusive prey. Frankly he doesn't have time to sit down in his den in the evening and meticulously take Q tips to his favourite blaster. Coming off a 16K run up or down a salt water fjord he might have time to rinse his Glock out in a fresh water stream before seeing to his guests creature comforts. That is his reality, I doubt yours so yes there is an excuse for not taking apart his gun nightly. We akk know stainless guns will rust ovfer time. Not as quickly as carbon steel but they will corrode. I am not at all sure why Glock does not offer it's slides with stainless steel slides. I posted the picture to illustrate the fact the Glock is not as indestructible as some would believe. The gun in question looks bad but it was functionable and it was replaced at the end of the season. I do know he was looking at the Ruger GP-100 in 10MM as a possible replacement to the Glock. Not sure uf he made the move or just accepted the fact the life expectancy of his handgun would be one season on the north coast.

Take Care

Bob

[LeonardC]

A moose is a large deer and not particularly hard to put down.

OK...I don't think I'll risk my well being on that thought.

[jonp]

they make pistol grip shotguns that are just as easy to have slug around your neck as some of the huge revolvers some here recommend. Your not to bright if you set up camp in griz or brown bear territory and your all alone. Again a hand raise of those who have! If i can carry a rifle all day long i sure can haul it to the bathroom with me. Believe me if i was alone in bear country (which i never would be) id never let go of my rifle except to cook and wipe my but and it would be withing grasp even doing that. Bottom line is your more apt to be struck by lightning then being attacked by a non wounded bear. Walter middy crap. I know if i was looking for advice it wouldnt be on an internet fourm with people that just talk the talk. Id ask people that actually killed big animals and not from someone who was told by someone who heard son guide on the internet giving advice that is most likely embellishing the story anyway. Add to that GETTING AWAY with killing a charging bear with something like a 10mm sure doesnt make it an intellegent thing to carry. Its more like being hungry and taking your last 5 dollars to the casino to see if you can make enough for a steak. Chances are your going to loose. Fact is most of you are going to miss. Talking about this is like some guys telling storys about how theyd do in combat that never even spent time in the service. Been on this forum since it started over 20 years ago. In that time nobody ive heard of has even had to face down a charging black bear. Same walter middys who want to think there brave because they walk in the woods where black bear live. Ive watched my ma shoe them off the back porch with a broom.

Living in your neck of the woods you are quite familiar with bears as am I in my part of New England. In 50yrs or so of easing through the woods I've seen exactly 1 bear and that one was within 20ft while I was sitting on a stump deer hunting. Your comment about lightening is spot on. My woods carry handgun is either my Ruger Single Six or a SW 38/357. Wife carries a Chiefs Special when berrying and we both rely on keeping our heads up and paying attention.

[jonp]

Here is a Glock 10MM after a season on my friends holster. Cdn law requires Open Carry for the Wilderness Permit. The G;pcl's s;ode os not stainless. He admits he does not have time to pay as much attention to his pistol as most here would. The gun is exposed to salt water spray and the very worst wet conditions you can imagine. He replaces his pistol every year. I believe this year he may have gone to the Ruger GP-100 in 10MM. The picture does not show how badly the gun's exterior has rusted.



Take Care

Bob

One season? Wow, I didn't think that short a period would do that. Has he tried carrying a silicone rag in a bag like the Birchwood Casey? I'd do that and wipe it down every night if I couldn't clean it. I'd think something I depend on to save my life would be worth taking the slide off and spraying the inside with WD40 everyday if nothing else.