Back Up Caliber?
#21
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 0
From: Pa
ORIGINAL: game4lunch
You better check your regs. I would be surprised if CO allowed the .357 as a hunting caliber. And if you carry it hunting (regardless of what for) I betit has to be of a legal cal.
I guess the most popular "back-up" weapon in brown/griz country amongst guides is a 12ga with buckshot.
You better check your regs. I would be surprised if CO allowed the .357 as a hunting caliber. And if you carry it hunting (regardless of what for) I betit has to be of a legal cal.
I guess the most popular "back-up" weapon in brown/griz country amongst guides is a 12ga with buckshot.
Your talking about a the MOTS(man on the scene) He's the all knowing Colorado Lucky Dog... The soon to be Alaskan Know it all

In other words a F stick
#22
ORIGINAL: Colorado Luckydog
I was just asking a question to see how other people felt aboutminimum power they would want for a back up gun. I didn't ask for some stupid ass opinions on confronting or eluding bears. You think I should carry a rifle and a slug gun?
For crying out loud if you can't read the post and add something decent to say, please move on to the next one!
I was just asking a question to see how other people felt aboutminimum power they would want for a back up gun. I didn't ask for some stupid ass opinions on confronting or eluding bears. You think I should carry a rifle and a slug gun?
For crying out loud if you can't read the post and add something decent to say, please move on to the next one!
I think the point that people with experience in these matters were trying to make to yopu is that you don't BACK UP A RIFLE with a handgun when you are expecting to encounterbears. If this seems like a stupid opinion to you, could it bebecause you don't know much about what's involved in confronting a bear?? If you are asking a question like the original one, that is the implication! Should you carry a slug gun and a rifle? No. Carry a rifle that will kill bears, and be able to shoot it with sufficient accuracy to kill one!
I once hunted quite extensively over a large portion of the 49th state, and the likelihood of encountering bears of various kinds was always present. For awhile, I did carry a handgun "for backup". But it didn't take me long to discover that all that a handgun doesisto make it harder to navigate rough terrain, and reduce the speed with which one canget a bullet on target from a rifle of adequate power.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,813
Likes: 0
From:
Most of the guysI know that hunt in Alaska carry one. I just want to be prepared.
Most of the folks i hunted with that had much expierence didn't carry one either...
I feel, "if you can't get it done with your rifle, your not going to get it done!"
Any yes, i have hunted and harvested several black and brown bears...
DM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
How many on here has defended themselves from a bear attack? I know I havn't, I am not into bear hunting and doubtI will ever be. I don't enjoy eating bear that much, so I don't hunt them.
I have shot hard cast 300gr bullets from a 44mag into some trees, and other hard stuff. And it penetrates amazingly. I have no doubt a 44mag with a 300gr hard cast would easily penetrate a bears head, or evenshoulders.
No, I have never lived in Alaska, and do not plan on ever living there. But I have shot hogs, and have defended myself from them, and 44mag with proper bullets easily penetrates them. Even thru that thick breast plate.
I do know people who hunts Alaska, and they carry sidearms.But they arebow hunters and do not use a rifle. I see no fault in thier logic. It makes them feel better, and confidense is everything in anything you do.
I have shot hard cast 300gr bullets from a 44mag into some trees, and other hard stuff. And it penetrates amazingly. I have no doubt a 44mag with a 300gr hard cast would easily penetrate a bears head, or evenshoulders.
No, I have never lived in Alaska, and do not plan on ever living there. But I have shot hogs, and have defended myself from them, and 44mag with proper bullets easily penetrates them. Even thru that thick breast plate.
I do know people who hunts Alaska, and they carry sidearms.But they arebow hunters and do not use a rifle. I see no fault in thier logic. It makes them feel better, and confidense is everything in anything you do.
#25
The redhawk in new 4" barrel length is as close as you're going to get for a backup revolver. S&W and taurus both make .44 mags but stay away from the lightweight titaninum or scanium versions as the recoil is BRUTAL. The ruger is like a bank vault with a trigger strengthwise. Out west,it would stay on my person as much as a knife or boots.
#26
ORIGINAL: eldeguello
You can't begin a discussion involving bears without provoking a lot of different kind of responses!
I think the point that people with experience in these matters were trying to make to yopu is that you don't BACK UP A RIFLE with a handgun when you are expecting to encounterbears. If this seems like a stupid opinion to you, could it bebecause you don't know much about what's involved in confronting a bear?? If you are asking a question like the original one, that is the implication! Should you carry a slug gun and a rifle? No. Carry a rifle that will kill bears, and be able to shoot it with sufficient accuracy to kill one!
I once hunted quite extensively over a large portion of the 49th state, and the likelihood of encountering bears of various kinds was always present. For awhile, I did carry a handgun "for backup". But it didn't take me long to discover that all that a handgun doesisto make it harder to navigate rough terrain, and reduce the speed with which one canget a bullet on target from a rifle of adequate power.
ORIGINAL: Colorado Luckydog
I was just asking a question to see how other people felt aboutminimum power they would want for a back up gun. I didn't ask for some stupid ass opinions on confronting or eluding bears. You think I should carry a rifle and a slug gun?
For crying out loud if you can't read the post and add something decent to say, please move on to the next one!
I was just asking a question to see how other people felt aboutminimum power they would want for a back up gun. I didn't ask for some stupid ass opinions on confronting or eluding bears. You think I should carry a rifle and a slug gun?
For crying out loud if you can't read the post and add something decent to say, please move on to the next one!
I think the point that people with experience in these matters were trying to make to yopu is that you don't BACK UP A RIFLE with a handgun when you are expecting to encounterbears. If this seems like a stupid opinion to you, could it bebecause you don't know much about what's involved in confronting a bear?? If you are asking a question like the original one, that is the implication! Should you carry a slug gun and a rifle? No. Carry a rifle that will kill bears, and be able to shoot it with sufficient accuracy to kill one!
I once hunted quite extensively over a large portion of the 49th state, and the likelihood of encountering bears of various kinds was always present. For awhile, I did carry a handgun "for backup". But it didn't take me long to discover that all that a handgun doesisto make it harder to navigate rough terrain, and reduce the speed with which one canget a bullet on target from a rifle of adequate power.
Longbeard, your a jackass and I will ignore you from here on out. I sure wish we could meet in person for I could explain things correctly.
#27
I tried to send this as a PM, but the program says your inbox is full, and would not accept the message!
Bryan,
If you live in CO, you are indeed lucky! When in the Army, I was stationed for three years in Alaska, and when the Army FORCED me to return to the lower 48, they were kind, and sent me to Fort Carson! Can't beat that!
You might also consider a heavily loaded .45 COLT like a Ruger Blackhawk as well as the .44 Mag. and .454 Casull. I have a Taurus Raging Bull .454 Casull, andI think it is as nice as the S&W Model29 I once had. Accurate. The load I use is the Cast Performance .452 265-grain flatnose gascheck bullet and 28 grains of Alliant 2400 in STARLINE .454 Casull cases with Federal SMALL RIFLE primers. MV is 1550 FPS. This is a mild, reduced load, but has a lot of penetration.
Nice to hear from you.
Good luck!!
Bryan,
If you live in CO, you are indeed lucky! When in the Army, I was stationed for three years in Alaska, and when the Army FORCED me to return to the lower 48, they were kind, and sent me to Fort Carson! Can't beat that!
You might also consider a heavily loaded .45 COLT like a Ruger Blackhawk as well as the .44 Mag. and .454 Casull. I have a Taurus Raging Bull .454 Casull, andI think it is as nice as the S&W Model29 I once had. Accurate. The load I use is the Cast Performance .452 265-grain flatnose gascheck bullet and 28 grains of Alliant 2400 in STARLINE .454 Casull cases with Federal SMALL RIFLE primers. MV is 1550 FPS. This is a mild, reduced load, but has a lot of penetration.
Nice to hear from you.
Good luck!!
#28
ORIGINAL: 8mm/06
Sorry I missed my own punch -line . I was trying to set it up anyway for somebody else to Knock down!
Besides I was out today on the last day of Firearms deer season here in Michigan. saw nothing in the woods but saw about a dozen deer in my headlights on the way home!
Oh well, there's always the upcoming muzzle season.
ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog

So it won't hurt as much when the Bear shoves it up his Butt!
ORIGINAL: DannyD
OK 8mm, I'll play Ed Mcmahon for ya.. 8mm, why would you want me to file down the front sight?
ORIGINAL: 8mm/06
I you plan to use a .357 Magnum for stopping a bear attack, any bear, please make sure you file the front sight blade right down to the quick and make it a totally smooth ended barrel.
I you plan to use a .357 Magnum for stopping a bear attack, any bear, please make sure you file the front sight blade right down to the quick and make it a totally smooth ended barrel.

So it won't hurt as much when the Bear shoves it up his Butt!
Besides I was out today on the last day of Firearms deer season here in Michigan. saw nothing in the woods but saw about a dozen deer in my headlights on the way home!
Oh well, there's always the upcoming muzzle season.
#29
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 0
From: WY
Luckydog,
Sorry to have offended you. Eldeguello is more eloquent than I. There was a time when I carried both a rifle (a .375 H&H)and a handgun (a .44 Redhawk) in Alaska. The ONE time I ran into a bear (and cub), the first one up was the .375. Had the bear charged (she didn't), there'd have beenno time left to chamber either another round in the rifle or to grab the handgun. Had there been enough time, I certainly would have jacked another round into the .375 as opposed to reaching for the .44. So, I stopped carrying the handgun.
Granted, carry a rifle everywhere isn't always convenient. So, if you're looking for an alternative (around camp, etc.), I'd definitely look no smaller than the .44. The .454 Casull seems very popular there even as of last summer.
Sorry to have offended you. Eldeguello is more eloquent than I. There was a time when I carried both a rifle (a .375 H&H)and a handgun (a .44 Redhawk) in Alaska. The ONE time I ran into a bear (and cub), the first one up was the .375. Had the bear charged (she didn't), there'd have beenno time left to chamber either another round in the rifle or to grab the handgun. Had there been enough time, I certainly would have jacked another round into the .375 as opposed to reaching for the .44. So, I stopped carrying the handgun.
Granted, carry a rifle everywhere isn't always convenient. So, if you're looking for an alternative (around camp, etc.), I'd definitely look no smaller than the .44. The .454 Casull seems very popular there even as of last summer.
#30
ORIGINAL: homers brother
Luckydog,
Sorry to have offended you. Eldeguello is more eloquent than I. There was a time when I carried both a rifle (a .375 H&H)and a handgun (a .44 Redhawk) in Alaska. The ONE time I ran into a bear (and cub), the first one up was the .375. Had the bear charged (she didn't), there'd have beenno time left to chamber either another round in the rifle or to grab the handgun. Had there been enough time, I certainly would have jacked another round into the .375 as opposed to reaching for the .44. So, I stopped carrying the handgun.
Granted, carry a rifle everywhere isn't always convenient. So, if you're looking for an alternative (around camp, etc.), I'd definitely look no smaller than the .44. The .454 Casull seems very popular there even as of last summer.
Luckydog,
Sorry to have offended you. Eldeguello is more eloquent than I. There was a time when I carried both a rifle (a .375 H&H)and a handgun (a .44 Redhawk) in Alaska. The ONE time I ran into a bear (and cub), the first one up was the .375. Had the bear charged (she didn't), there'd have beenno time left to chamber either another round in the rifle or to grab the handgun. Had there been enough time, I certainly would have jacked another round into the .375 as opposed to reaching for the .44. So, I stopped carrying the handgun.
Granted, carry a rifle everywhere isn't always convenient. So, if you're looking for an alternative (around camp, etc.), I'd definitely look no smaller than the .44. The .454 Casull seems very popular there even as of last summer.
Thanks Bryan


