The best anti-bear pistol and round..

[kselkhunter]

I know you said ultralight, but gosh if I'm going into a kill site in brown bear country I would drop the UL requirement and pack either shotgun with slugs or my 450 Marlin AND bear spray.

If all I could take was a pistol it would be my 460 Rowland with the 290gr ammo.   I like shooting that suppressed, but would probably put the compensator back on instead for faster draw time (the 45 suppressors are long). 

[ridgefire]

Have any of you guys had any issues shooting 200 or 220 grain Underwood’s out of your G20? My G20 would jam every 3rd or 4th round with those bullets so I switched to Underwood 140 grain extreme penetrators. My gun likes them much better.

[Magnum_Willys]

Have any of you guys had any issues shooting 200 or 220 grain Underwood’s out of your G20? My G20 would jam every 3rd or 4th round with those bullets so I switched to Underwood 140 grain extreme penetrators. My gun likes them much better.

Yikes!  Thanks for heads up, will be testing for sure.  Maybe try another brand.

[85yota]

140 grain seems awfully light for bear defense, regardless of bullet type. I would try other brands of 200 grain, and maybe even think about a lone wolf barrel. If not I would probably run the heaviest hottest fmjs available

[Dan-o]

Have any of you guys had any issues shooting 200 or 220 grain Underwood’s out of your G20? My G20 would jam every 3rd or 4th round with those bullets so I switched to Underwood 140 grain extreme penetrators. My gun likes them much better.

No issues here, but I did put a heavier spring in.

I did that on the advice of a Glock loving friend. 
I won't pretend to know exactly how that helps but I think it does.

[birddogdad]

My G20, 10mm with Underwood 200gr cast bullets (ie bear rounds) is always carried while hunting, archery a& rifle seasons.
But when going back in to pack out meat in bear country, it's my Rem-1100 short 20" bbl, w/out plug, 1st 2 rounds are 000-buck, then 3 slugs.

40 years ago, while fishing Alaska's Russian river for reds, talked to 2 rangers in the parking area.
Both had Rem 870-pump shotguns, short barrels, slung over their shoulders and loaded with 000 buckshot.

North Central WA state soon to become bear country for GRIZZ

i just upped to a G20 in 10mm.. waiting for the mag dance to make its way to court... maybe when someone dumps 10 and gets injured, they will sue the state for restricting their protection...wish the state supreme court would just get it done!.

[Sunbkpk]

Why no love for the S&W 327 in 357 magnum and moon clips and all the love of 10mm Autos when bear gun and cartridges are discussed? Same energy or a little more than 10mm, 8 shots with fast reloads, and more reliability for no jams. About the same weight with the trr8 and very accurate. Jerry Miculek demonstrates it can be very fast and accurate. Autos are not faster than he is with the 327.

Of course if I carry for bears it is a single action 44 magnum as it is what I have. UL it is not.

[Cougartail]

Why no love for the S&W 327 in 357 magnum and moon clips and all the love of 10mm Autos when bear gun and cartridges are discussed? Same energy or a little more than 10mm, 8 shots with fast reloads, and more reliability for no jams. About the same weight with the trr8 and very accurate. Jerry Miculek demonstrates it can be very fast and accurate. Autos are not faster than he is with the 327.

Of course if I carry for bears it is a single action 44 magnum as it is what I have. UL it is not.

I have no issue with the 357 and hardcast bullets. Tia Shoemaker, daughter of Alaska bear guide Phil Shoemaker carries it. Phil killed a big brown bear with the 9mm protecting clients.

Most people who have lived around bears lose the irrational fear of them.  Someone back east killed a huge black bear a couple years ago with the 357. Reported over 600lbs I believe..

[BLDtraLR]

Have any of you guys had any issues shooting 200 or 220 grain Underwood’s out of your G20? My G20 would jam every 3rd or 4th round with those bullets so I switched to Underwood 140 grain extreme penetrators. My gun likes them much better.

O issues in our G20's with underwood.Is your's a 4th gen or 5th?. Mine is a 4th gen and i think my buddies is a 3rd gen. Have run many box's of 200 grain both with mine and my buddies no issues what so ever.Stock barrels on both.Stock 15 round mags.  Tried some 220 grain but they seamed to tumble a bit just like Hickok45 said on  Utube . Which is NOT good for bear defense.