Post by: coriantonk on July 08, 2009, 10:47:29 AM
.45acp
.357mag
or-
.454casull
The question is, is the .454 overkill on a black bear?
Post by: rasbo on July 08, 2009, 10:49:48 AM
Post by: jackelope on July 08, 2009, 10:51:00 AM
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.
:twocents:
Post by: saylean on July 08, 2009, 10:52:27 AM
Post by: cohoho on July 08, 2009, 12:01:40 PM
Post by: littlebuf on July 08, 2009, 12:17:29 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 08, 2009, 12:44:17 PM
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
Post by: 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?
Post by: MountainWalk on July 08, 2009, 01:21:17 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades 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!
Post by: Machias on July 08, 2009, 03:42:34 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FBeartreed.jpg&hash=aeefa1f0f26c305fed7eef142d507901b9846cd3)
Post by: Machias on July 08, 2009, 03:43:33 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2Ffortyfive.jpg&hash=bd64a0ff2d2bd0ef0e6e0d3d14e55633c34f2892)
Post by: follow maggie on July 08, 2009, 09:07:15 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 08, 2009, 09:54:16 PM
Post by: Huntbear on July 08, 2009, 11:20:53 PM
Post by: coriantonk on July 08, 2009, 11:59:50 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on July 09, 2009, 05:55:04 AM
...and the reason you would be shooting at humans in the woods at 100yds would be?
Cause the meth maggots almost got away? :dunno:
Post by: Rufous on July 09, 2009, 09:11:48 AM
Post by: C-Money on July 09, 2009, 09:27:34 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades 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.
:yeah: -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. :rolleyes:
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
Post by: Mike_D on July 13, 2009, 09:24:09 AM
Post by: rasbo on July 13, 2009, 09:28:55 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
Post by: Mike_D on July 13, 2009, 09:49:40 AM
Post by: hogsniper on July 13, 2009, 10:22:38 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 13, 2009, 10:27:27 AM
Post by: KillBilly on July 13, 2009, 10:54:43 AM
Post by: Machias on July 13, 2009, 10:58:28 AM
Post by: hogsniper on July 13, 2009, 01:31:51 PM
Post by: Kain on July 13, 2009, 01:50:25 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi406.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp150%2FNaithankain%2FSW44mag.jpg&hash=4b03e85f8e7c001870a39aab4d2711090814a55c)
Post by: saylean on July 13, 2009, 01:53:02 PM
Post by: Machias on July 13, 2009, 03:55:52 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! :)
Post by: PWN Kurt on July 13, 2009, 05:41:16 PM
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
Post by: Bama76 on July 13, 2009, 07:59:59 PM
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.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades 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
Post by: markts on July 17, 2009, 06:14:30 PM
Post by: PWN Kurt on July 19, 2009, 07:14:54 PM
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
Post by: mattaylor81 on July 19, 2009, 07:20:46 PM