what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?

[bloodhound]

ok yes it was an exaggeration, but i still think one 45 round between the eyes at a charging bear 20 feet away is gonna put a damper on his charge idea.

[high country]

You can rock the 45super in the acp. I did that pre my 329. A 230 gr ashtray at 1000 fps gets results.

[Kowsrule30]

I've dropped yotes at 1-50 yds with my Glock 22 .40.....     I know that isn't comparable to anything like a small bear or a huge one.... But I would like to think it would help.....       At least it makes me a little more at ease.....

[actionshooter]

I won't as a general rule, to much weight. I'm not going to go through all the work of cutting ounces and then add a heavy gun that in all probability has a 99.99% chance it won't be used.

 Now the caveat... This year I'm going to be elk hunting (packpack,bivy) in Montana for 14 days in an area where there are grizzly warnings. For the 1st time ever I am considering carrying either my S&W Scandium airweight .357 or bear spray.
 I'm not even sure I'll do either yet.

I got sopme stories for you about montana from my buddy that might make you want to carry a gun Grzz aint scared of people thats for sure!!

 Well after talking to a buddy who had a couple of bear encounters last year right where I am going to be. I WILL be carrying my Glock 10mm loaded for bear. 

[hillbilli]

you have to consider what its for.. Grizzly country? or more cougar/black bear/wolf/wilddog/methhead use? The big bears have been stopped by .45 and 9mm fired rapidly and accurately, but in areas where big bears and big (400lb+) hogs are around I dont trust less than .44 magnum (I use ruger super blackhawk)-The ruger in 4 5/8 barrel is concealable and I can wear it all day, unlike a lot of big calibers.. In areas where the threats are more likely to be 250lb or less two or 4 legged varmints, I do tend to carry a glock 23 (13rd). Its lighter than anything else, rugged, and penetration is good. There are no guarantees with any handgun, hell I've read of Grizzly taking more than 10 rounds of .300win before stopping.. so the compromise is what WILL you carry and always have with you-not in the truck, what can you hit with.. but thats just my opinion-for what its worth.. remember on a big critter penetration is what matters..

[Recurve-Elk]

ok yes it was an exaggeration, but i still think one 45 round between the eyes at a charging bear 20 feet away is gonna put a damper on his charge idea.

Good luck hitting between the eyes!

[KillBilly]

ok yes it was an exaggeration, but i still think one 45 round between the eyes at a charging bear 20 feet away is gonna put a damper on his charge idea.

Let me know how that works out for ya....

[pianoman9701]

ok yes it was an exaggeration, but i still think one 45 round between the eyes at a charging bear 20 feet away is gonna put a damper on his charge idea.

Let me know how that works out for ya....

LOL, yeah I'd like to see that shot.

[6x6in6]

ok yes it was an exaggeration, but i still think one 45 round between the eyes at a charging bear 20 feet away is gonna put a damper on his charge idea.

Let me know how that works out for ya....

LOL, yeah I'd like to see that shot.

A racing stripe up the brow comes to mind. 

[high country]

after watching maciej szerbiak gun down a rabbit on the run at 50 paces in 2 shots with a glock.....I am 100% sure it can be done by some.

[Glockster]

Those of you who think you can hit a charging bear or cougar with a handgun the best way to find out if you really can is try to hit a bouncing basket ball coming at you from 15yds with your choice of handgun.  Let me know how that works out for ya....That's a humbler right there 

In AK I always carry the spray as that doesn't require much aim along with my Glock 20SF 10mm....which is not much more than an extreme last ditch effort.  (10mm is woefully undergunned for big browns)  Every handgun is a compromise in the self defense dept.  If you're expecting danger, have a 12ga with you. 

The real animals I'd be concerned with down here are the two legged variety.

[KopperBuck]

Those of you who think you can hit a charging bear or cougar with a handgun the best way to find out if you really can is try to hit a bouncing basket ball coming at you from 15yds with your choice of handgun.  Let me know how that works out for ya....That's a humbler right there 

In AK I always carry the spray as that doesn't require much aim along with my Glock 20SF 10mm....which is not much more than an extreme last ditch effort.  (10mm is woefully undergunned for big browns)  Every handgun is a compromise in the self defense dept.  If you're expecting danger, have a 12ga with you. 

The real animals I'd be concerned with down here are the two legged variety.

Yessir. I'd take the spray over a pistol if I had to decide. As people have pointed out, chit tends to happen quickly and out of control. Kind of makes what caliber a smaller debate.

[actionshooter]

Those of you who think you can hit a charging bear or cougar with a handgun the best way to find out if you really can is try to hit a bouncing basket ball coming at you from 15yds with your choice of handgun.  Let me know how that works out for ya....That's a humbler right there   

 I've seen the basketball trick mentioned on this thread a couple of times. I want to know who the hell you guys found that was willing to roll it at you? 
 
 Then I want to know if I can use my Brazos IPSC pistol, bet I can hit it a time or two. 

[cem3434]

Depending on what and where I am hunting determines what I carry.  If I am hunting small game in Washington, then I usually carry my Kahr K40.  When it comes to big game, I usually carry my 1911 or the K40 depending on where I am going and how far I am packing in.  When I am hunting in Idaho, Montana or Alaska, I carry my 44 mag without question because of bears.

[carpsniperg2]

Man I would never take spray over lead. I put between 3000-5000 rds threw handguns every year. Countless drills and have taken professional self defense classes. I carry a handgun every day of my life and trust it to save my life in a bad situation. Ever seen what bear spray does in a heavy wind, or wind that is blowing into your face? I have seen it. I will trust my side arm.