454 for bear

[selwaytom]

Im thinking of a bear hunt over bait in Idaho in the spring of 2005. I want to hunt with a 454 pistol what are your feeling on this gun for bear.
What range could I expect a quick kill.

[akbound]

Hi selwaytom,

I'm assuming your hunting blackie's.....if it's over bait. The gun is more than enough for black bear in any factory rendition. (Actually for the average black bear you'd probably be better off using a "lighter expanding bullet" in .454 factory loads. You do not need the extra penetration of the hard cast and the expansion of a soft point might provide some extra wound trauma. But there is no reason not to use a good hard cast like LBT's if you'd like.) The .454 can be expected to be effective on black bear to the "range which you can precisely place your shot in the kill zone". In other words......your marksmanship....(and the cartridge's trajectory).....are going to be the limiting factor. Not the ability of the cartridge to deliver a mortal blow, (it has enough energy to kill to the extent of your ability)!

Good luck with your endeavor!

Dave

[James B]

The 44 Mag has performed well for this task so the 454 should do an even better job. I have never fired a 454. I did hunt bear with the 35 Remington in the Contender.

[Ruger-Redhawk]

I've never hunted bear before.With that said I'm assuming the 454 Casull would be good medicine for them.The 454 should be able to handle any North American game.Like with any caliber shot placement is the key to a humane kill.I wouldn't hesitate trusting the 454 Casull on any critter I may confront.Two legged or four.
Ruger Redhawk

[BTM]

Last year I shot a small (100#) hog three times with my Casull at 70 yards. None of the 300 gr. Hornady XTPs went thru. I resolved then and there that if I hunted anything larger, it would be with solids.