Who hunts bears with Handguns?

[dasbear]

I wanted to get an idea how many bear hunters are using handguns, part time, full time, what pistols, and calibers and their results?

So far for me: T/C Encore 15" 308 win. AI  1 bear @ 70yds

PW 

[Rufous]

I have taken two with my Ruger Bisley 45 Colt using the Beartooth Bullets 345 grain hard cast. First bear (May of 2007) was about 25 yards away and the second, taken this past week was taken at about 75 yards. Open sights.

[dasbear]

I just picked up a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley in 41 mag that would of been perfect for my last bear <140 yds. Whats the barrel length on that 45? Did you post any pics from that hunt?

PW

[Mo]

Check out his post in this section.  Good story and pictures.

[dasbear]

WOW! Rufus I dont know how I overlooked that post. Nice bear and awesome story. I know a few guys that Ive hunted with in the past that wouldn't bat an eye at carrying a hundred pounds but I certainly wouldn't be one of them except under the most favorable conditions. My hats off to you.

PW

[Kain]

I have been carrying my S&W 44mag with me.  I am hoping to use it but I am also carrying my shotgun so we will see.  Now just have to find the bears.

[dasbear]

Boy theres not a whole lot of us is there. guess we're keeping all the fun to our selves.

[ThePascoKid]

I killed one 3 years ago with a Taurus .44 mag, I wasn't actively hunting bear just stumbled upon him during open season, he never knew I was there, used a stump for a rest, it was about a 50 yard shot, I have to admit it seemed a little more gratifying to use a pistol rather than a rifle.

[huntinhick]

I have a contender with a 10" 44mag barrel and simmons 2x7 scope,  I am still praticing with it however so it has yet to be in the field but next year it is on.  my S&W mountian gun in 45colt will also see lots of use next year.  SDhunter has a TC also with a 10" 30/30 barrel but he has been waiting for about 5 months now for his scope to come so he is also going to have to wait till next year.  I was hoping to put alot more rounds down range and use them this year but oh cuurse time and money constraints put a hold on it. 

carl

[JackOfAllTrades]

I haven't killed a Bear with pistol yet. One of my greatest regrets is that I didn't when I took mine with a 20yd shot with rifle yet had the pistol in the holster. I could have taken him with the pistol easily. Did put him out of his misery with the 44mag Ruger Bisley SBH though.  I have on occasion, taken just the pistol on hunts through the thick stuff. I pretty much don't go in the woods without it. Rifle in hand or not.

-Steve

[Big10gauge]

I gotten a few with my Ruger 44 7.5 inch barrel open sights from 6 feet to about 20 yrds

[CastleRocker]

Never have taken a bear with a handgun, but I used to hunt everything else with them.  Three elk, one with a 44, (even 300gr hard cast are not very impressive on elk), one with my Contender in 357 Herret, (also not very impressive), and the other one I got with my Contender in 375 JDJ.  Have shot a lot of deer, and coyotes with handguns over the years.  I've had a bead on several bears, but never touched one off.  All were either sows, too small, or not a good shot.  You folks have me thinking I might get out the old Contender and run some rounds through it, and go looking for a bruin.