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Back Up Caliber?

I'm looking to trade for, or buy a new revolver to carry as a back up weapon while hunting. Is a .357 good enough or should I step it up a bit? I'll be shooting factory loads only and want plenty of umpf to stop a bear.

RE: Back Up Caliber?

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ORIGINAL: Colorado Luckydog

I'm looking to trade for, or buy a new revolver to carry as a back up weapon while hunting. Is a .357 good enough or should I step it up a bit? I'll be shooting factory loads only and want plenty of umpf to stop a bear.

IF you cannot stop thebear with a rifle, you are in deep kimche if you start shooting at him with a handgun! That is, unlless the wounded bear has run you up a tree, in which case having a .44 Magnum or .454 Casull up there with youmight permit you to shell him as he ascendsup to your perch to bite you!. A .357 will work, I have seen this done. But a bigger caliber is better insurance, and NEVER shoot a handgun at an unwounded bear if you can in any way avoid doing so. If you MUST shoot to prevent injury, by all means shoot the advancing bear right on the tip of the nose, so the bullet can travel up his nasal passages and into the brain, killing him instantly. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T SHOOT TOO HIGH!! A high shot can strike the sloping skull, and go right up over his back!

As a person who hunted bear of various descriptions for three years in Alaska, I have very little faithin the concept of using any handgun on bear if a rifle or 12-GA slug shoitgun is availbable.

RE: Back Up Caliber?

What kind of bears? Polar, brown, black? If you're talking black bears, a .357 should be fine. I know a number of guys that kill black bears every year with .357's or .44's.

RE: Back Up Caliber?

Dude I cant believe that anybody would think for one minute that a .357 mag would be plenty of medicine for a bear

Thank god for the hunting net... There might be one less bear mauled hunter in the woods of Colorado this fall

RE: Back Up Caliber?

.44, no question...

I like the 357, probably my favorite hadngun round of all time... but for the application you're talkin about, 44 is what i'd want... that or the S&W model 500 (.500 mag cartridge) if I could afford one...

RE: Back Up Caliber?

I'd opt for a RugerSuper Blackhawkin a 44 mag with a 5 1/2 in barrel. 5 1/2 " barrel doesn't get in the way getting on ,off of riding a horse or atv but still points goodand gives a long enough sighting plan to use on a deer or such if you have an opportunity.

RE: Back Up Caliber?

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ORIGINAL: eldeguello

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I'm not sure what made you think I would lay down my rifle and pull out my handgun.:eek:I'm going to Alaska on a moose hunt next year,and thought it would be a good idea to carry a sidearm for a back up gun or whileI wasfishing. I think I'll take your advice and look at the .44 or the .454 casull. I've shot both of those at least a handful of times and did not mind the recoil at all. I just got rid of my S&W 460 and I'm glad to be rid of that kicking SOB. I know my rifle would be my, go to gun, but I don't think it would hurt to carry a sidearm. Most of the guysI know that hunt in Alaska carry one. I just want to be prepared.

RE: Back Up Caliber?

I have to agree with the majority........Minimum .44 Mag

RE: Back Up Caliber?

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.

RE: Back Up Caliber?

Quote:

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.

OK 8mm, I'll play Ed Mcmahon for ya.. 8mm, why would you want me to file down the front sight?