handgun for bowhunter

[blackhorn]

Now that the laws have changed and you can now carry, what would you carry?   The reason I ask is that I am in the market for a new handgun and am trying to narrow my search.  I want to carry for self defense reasons (people, bear, cougs, ect), but also was thinking of a handgun that I could use to hunt bear (this is not a priority in my decision).  I was thinking of getting the Ruger GP100 357 with a 4inch barrel.   The draw back is that it is kind of a heavy gun to be packing around with all my other gear.  Also considering semi-autos.  Anyhow your opinions are welcome.   Thanks in advance!

[Machias]

My 2 cents, the .357 is too light for hunting bear or for bear protection.  I would recommend .41 mag as a min, just an opinion though.

[Bob33]

I have an SP101 in 357.  Great for human defense but pretty light for bear.

[denali]

Glock S&W .40    reason ?   that's what I have       11 rounds of 180 gr. gold Dot should take care of tweekers, predators, if not re-load and keep shooting

[blackhorn]

I thought that the 357 would be too light for bear.  I could still use some recommendations for a good all-round  pack gun.

[carpsniperg2]

yes if you plan on hunting for bear i would go no lighter than a 41 mag and would prefer bigger i shoot a 454 casull which is big medicine for any animal that walks around here. i myself don't like to mix a street gun with a hunting gun. i like my hunting guns to be heaveyer to help manage recoil and steady better, i like my street carry guns lighter and a 41 and 44 mag and 454 is not practical for every day carry. when muzzle and archery hunting i carry one of my 357 or 40 sw i have never used them in self defense but i did shoot a bear when we were hunting bear with my 357 with 158 grain horn xtp did the trick at about 15 yards.

[bonkellekter]

I am looking for a handgun for the same reasons this year and have decided on the 44 mag but I will also be hunting where grizzlies roam.

[high country]

I personally carry a 45 super in a 1911sc or my 329pd. I know of a guide in the kotz area that carries a 1911 in 10mm and has killed a brownie in defense. what ever you plan on packing....be good with it and you better have nerves of steel if you plan on winning against a charging bear.

I like the 329 because it shoots basicly the same as my 629 classic. I preactice with the classic and that keeps my flinch factor down a ton. the super is just a riot any way you look at it.

[Stalker]

I picked up a 10mm Glock model 29 as a duel purpose weapon; easily concealed, pretty light weight and compact with a big punch.

[chrisb]

I carry a Ruger Security Six in .357 when bow hunting most of the time. occasionally i'll bring my 1911 but mostly just the .357. I prefer a soft point instead of hollow for this purpose. I've even loaded every other round in FMJ for penetration against bears. Luckily i've never needed to use it.

[gasman]

I carry a 44mag loaded with 300gr Hornady for personal protection and hunting.



On a side note, remember you are not allowed ot hunt with your pistol if you are archery hunting for deer or elk. It is only allowed for personal protection, not hunting.

[Aneoakleaf]

The bears don't wory me , I have a sharp broadhead for them, it's the wolves and cougar...and tweekers. so I carry a Beretta Storm  16 shot clip + one in the chamber. LOOKING FOR A WAR???

[Phantom Gobbler]

After being chased by a Grizzly in the Alaskan Interior some years ago, I have vowed to never be unarmed again.  While bow hunting in Montana this Fall I carried a 44 Mag Ruger Blackhawk, in a soft holster.  We did see a Grizzly......but he went the other way.       We also saw wolf sign and heard them one night above camp.  We also had a black bear in camp one night but a couple of warning shots seemed to do the trick.   I have also read that 41 Mag is the recommended minimum caliber to carry in bear country.  We also saw a B&C Black Bear that paid us no heed.

It felt good to be carrying protection in remote areas!   

[Wazukie]

I carry my Ruger Blackhawk .357 whenever Im jn the woods.  I live in Blackie country, every step off the main road could be a potential bear encounter, I've never had a bear charge me.  I carry the .357 because thats what I have.  Any one who says its not enough for the bears is this state has never shot one with a .357. That said, If I was buying a new gun, It would probably be a .44 mag just because I dont have one yet.  What ever you choose, know how to use it.  Become so familiar with it so that if you do have that 1 in ? chance with a bear, its an instinctive reaction to draw and fire, If you have to aim it, you're probably going to loose.  Just my 

[DWP]

I have a 629 mtn gun(.44 mag). I carry it in a Simply Rugged pancake holster on the belt of my backpack. That makes the weight a non issue. If I take off my pack I stay right next to it or I transfer the holster to my belt.

I worry about people, cats, and bears-so I chose a weapon that will take care of the biggest of those worries if need be. Loaded with the proper rounds it can be easy to shoot or fairly hard kicking.  I normally carry Buffalo Bore 305grn flatties to make me sleep easy.