Author Topic: West side Black Bear sidearm? (Read 11429 times)

coriantonk · « **on:** July 08, 2009, 10:47:29 AM »

I have several options for a sidearm and am not sure what one to use.
.45acp
.357mag
or-
.454casull

The question is, is the .454 overkill on a black bear?

rasbo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:49:48 AM »

out of those I would use the 454. I like the 44mag 629 classic..Just my opinion

jackelope · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:51:00 AM »

is there such a thing as overkill to protect yourself?

are you gonna hunt with it or carry it for protection?

more often than not it's the meth maggot tweekers you have to worry about more than the animals.

saylean · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:52:27 AM »

I use a .45acp...but as stated, yes its for bears, but I am more concerned with the meth heads or whatever weirdo I might find out there than bears/cougs.

cohoho · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2009, 12:01:40 PM »

Question back to you, which are you a better shot with? All would be fine, but are you carring it for protection or for hunting? If for protection, I'd be carring the .45 at least you can pull it quicker and have more rounds on target than the hog leg 454 with probably a long barrel that would take way extra time to pull if needed. Although hunting, I would carry the 454. Your choice...

littlebuf · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2009, 12:17:29 PM »

i carry my 1911 in 45acp. i have others but im surgical and fast with a 1911 so its the best for me

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2009, 12:44:17 PM »

As a competitive shooter with 1911, I fancy the 45acp on that platform for self defense in urban or close in areas. (out to 50yds or a little more)

In the woods, whether the opponent is a critter or meth head, I prefer something with a little more 'reach out and touch something' capability. Close in, something with a little more knockdown power is certainly not overkill on an aggressor. The .454 or .460 or such in a large frame/short barrel almost defeats the real reason for having a cartridge capable of so much. -To exagerate, like riding the Tour 'D France on a tricycle. Every short barreled .454/.460/500 I've shot wasn't exactly pleasing to shoot. Still, they weigh in about the same as a longer barreled .357/.41/.44mag revolver. While considerably weaker, the .357mag out a 6" barrel is the minimum for bruins close in. I feel that a 5" Redhawk or 629 in .41 or .44mag fits the bill quite well. I'm glad this thread didn't highlight the 9mm or .40S&W. One not mentioned would be something like a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm. A little more capacity and about the same weight as the magnum revolvers.

What do I carry when Bear hunting the high country? Rifle... And usually one or the other.. SS Ruger RH 5" .44mag or a Ruger SBH Bisley 7 1/2" .44mag with alternating 300gn Sierra SP's and 250gn Sierra FPJ loaded about as hot as I dare through my guns.

What ever you decide on, make sure you practice with it. Know what you're capable of. Know your limitations. Know the gun/cartridge performance limitations.

-Steve

littlebuf · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2009, 01:05:27 PM »

Certainly capable on humans out to 100yds

and the reason you would be shooting at humans in the woods at 100yds would be?

MountainWalk · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2009, 01:21:17 PM »

Why not use your rifle? It's already in your hands.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2009, 01:55:05 PM »

Quote

and the reason you would be shooting at humans in the woods at 100yds would be?

Edited!

Machias · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2009, 03:42:34 PM »

Here you go.

Machias · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2009, 03:43:33 PM »

or this one.

follow maggie · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2009, 09:07:15 PM »

Smile!

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2009, 09:54:16 PM »

Whatever is light. Don't want to lug around a hand cannon all day. Add some excitement to your life a pack a .22 with a dozen 5 shot clips.

Huntbear · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2009, 11:20:53 PM »

I carry my Redhawk .44 Mag. After carrying it for over 12 years, I do not even notice it on my hip anymore. I carry it crossdraw style, so it does not interfere with my rifle.

coriantonk · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2009, 11:59:50 PM »

The pistol will be for "insurance". I will be using my favorite rifle for the hunting part, A 7x57. I had a bear growl at me while I was in the thick brush last year, and something a little less length to it would be nice. The .45acp is my personal carry piece, the .357 and the .454, both belong to a friend and I have onle shot the .357. So I guess another good question would be, does A .45acp have enough power for real close work on a Black Bear?

ICEMAN · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2009, 05:55:04 AM »

Quote from: littlebuf on July 08, 2009, 01:05:27 PM

...and the reason you would be shooting at humans in the woods at 100yds would be?

Cause the meth maggots almost got away?

Rufous · « **Reply #17 on:** July 09, 2009, 09:11:48 AM »

I use and recommend a Ruger Bisley 45 Colt. It has plenty of power. The 454 is more than needed but I am sure you could load it down somewhat to make it more pleasant to shoot and it would still be deadly. I have never loaded for the 454 but I would guess that 2400 would be a good powder choice for somewhat reduced loads. I have finished off two bears and killed one from the start with my 45 Colt. Works great, Brian.

C-Money · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2009, 09:27:34 AM »

I carry a .357, I shoot it well and that counts enough for me.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2009, 01:15:40 PM »

Quote

I carry my Redhawk .44 Mag. After carrying it for over 12 years, I do not even notice it on my hip anymore.

-I use a shoulder holster on my left side for either of my 44mags. Some people look at me funny, that I carry a big hog leg and a rifle. Been doin that for years though.

Rufous recommended a SBH in 45LC. -Great suggestion!

All we're trying to do here 'Coriantonk' is give you enough reason to go buy a new hand gun!

Quote

So I guess another good question would be, does A .45acp have enough power for real close work on a Black Bear?

Sure! If you're real close, a rock is better than the fist.

But seriously, the 45acp against a lean Bear is no match. Getting that slow moving slug through the meat and bone to the vitals might be tough. Possible, but don't expect a shoulder shot to slow a big boy down. And even if you get a lung, he'll still run well. Last resort would be the neck or under the jaw up into the stem. That's some tough bone though and a shot would nearly need to be surgical. Shove the muzzle in his mouth... Now that ought to do the trick! Problem is the bullets that are available/designed for the 45acp. Jacketed round nose that don't expand, hollow points that are designed to open up to twice the size on frail human tissue, or target/lighter hard cast LSWC. That really limits the effectiveness of that slow moving bullet on a game animal that 'can' be dangerous.

If I was in your shoes and only had the 1911, I would use a bullet from a Lee 230gn HP mould with some really hard lead, water quenched when I pour them. The HP is smaller than what you see with jacketed self defense bullets. There's also a Lee 250gn Truncated Cone bullet that if hard cast can be run up to near 1,000fps from a full sized 1911. It's a Bowling Pin buster! You'd have to play with seating depth as they don't feed well through all 1911's. And running them that warm, you'd want a heavier recoil spring in your gun. I could send you some of the 230gn HP's or the 250TC's hard cast if you hand load. The 230's feed like hard ball. Ultra reliable. Off the shelf, the XTP's aren't too bad, and can be pushed a bit. I'd recommend Win231 powder for pushing those heavy bullets fast.

-Steve

Mike_D · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2009, 09:24:09 AM »

I too carry the 44Mag 629 in 7inch barrel, in a shoulder holster.

rasbo · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2009, 09:28:55 AM »

Quote from: Mike_D on July 13, 2009, 09:24:09 AM

I too carry the 44Mag 629 in 7inch barrel, in a shoulder holster.

man I love mine a real shooter..gutpile hooked me up with some hot loads,all Im using this year

Mike_D · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2009, 09:49:40 AM »

I stick to rifles mostly, but an all too close encounter with a cougar my first year out, has engrained me with desire to go down shooting if I'm going to be somethings dinner...

hogsniper · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:22:38 AM »

45 works just fine!! My old school 1911 took this guy with 1 shot!!!

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:27:27 AM »

Is that milk on it's lips?

KillBilly · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:54:43 AM »

If I were going to carry the extra weight, it would be my .357 Maximum

Machias · « **Reply #26 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:58:28 AM »

Normally I don't recommend sitting way behind a bear to make it look bigger...but I'm thinking it might be a good idea sometimes.

hogsniper · « **Reply #27 on:** July 13, 2009, 01:31:51 PM »

Haha, no doubt!!! I should have doctored it up a bit!! lol... With all the bears i saw last year this is what i came home with!!! Ooops...Lol

Kain · « **Reply #28 on:** July 13, 2009, 01:50:25 PM »

44 mag 6.5" barrel. It is f'n heavy but with the shoulder holster it is easily accessible and I dont really notice the weight. I tried carrying it on my hip one day...it almost got left in the woods.

It is even out of the way when I shoot archery.

saylean · « **Reply #29 on:** July 13, 2009, 01:53:02 PM »

they're all just jealous Hogsniper.

Machias · « **Reply #30 on:** July 13, 2009, 03:55:52 PM »

Quote from: hogsniper on July 13, 2009, 01:31:51 PM

Haha, no doubt!!! I should have doctored it up a bit!! lol... With all the bears i saw last year this is what i came home with!!! Ooops...Lol

I hope you know I was kidding with you. If not, I was!

PWN Kurt · « **Reply #31 on:** July 13, 2009, 05:41:16 PM »

Out of those choices I'd go with either the 454 or the 357, depending on what was easiest to pack for you. I like to keep my sidearm at 4-5" bbls, as they are seldom used. The 357 should be loaded with the heaviest bullet you can find. Maybe hardcast.

My side arms are either a 41 mag S&W mountain gun, or a 4 5/8" ruger blackhawk. Loads are 250 gn WFNs with a healthy helping of H110.

Kurt

Bama76 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 13, 2009, 07:59:59 PM »

If a booger charges you and is on top of you in thick brush, I think any round .380 and upwards is better than fighting with your hands. That's if you can stay cool and index the weapon where it counts. Just face it, you'll probably get tore up a little, but if your alive, that's what matters.

I know that after my run-in with the pissed off sow in the brush, I'll never leave home without my .357 again. She would have been on me so fast and all I would have been able to do is feed the pistol to her while pulling the trigger.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #33 on:** July 16, 2009, 11:46:30 AM »

Quote

4 5/8" ruger blackhawk. Loads are 250 gn WFNs with a healthy helping of H110.

45LC? "4 5/8", That's a sweet sized gun to have in the hills.

-Steve

markts · « **Reply #34 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:14:30 PM »

41 Mag for me. I like the less than 44mag recoil. Mark

PWN Kurt · « **Reply #35 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:14:54 PM »

4 5/8" ruger blackhawk. Loads are 250 gn WFNs with a healthy helping of H110.

45LC? "4 5/8", That's a sweet sized gun to have in the hills.

-Steve

Nope, not 45 LC. It's a 41 mag. Although, I think a 45 LC would be fine for bear with 'Ruger Only' handloads. The 4 5/8" blackhawks balance the best for me out of all the bbl lengths.

Kurt

mattaylor81 · « **Reply #36 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:20:46 PM »

I carry a 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt. I handload Cast Performance 300grn Hardcast bullets. They leave the gun at about 1100 fps.

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Author Topic: West side Black Bear sidearm? (Read 11429 times)

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