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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.
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. 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.
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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.
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
ORIGINAL: eldeguello 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. 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?
I have to agree with the majority........Minimum .44 Mag
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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.
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
If I were without my rifle, I'd rather have a defense/tactical 12 gauge than a pistol. But if you prefer a pistol, .44 Mag minimum IMO, as many of the others have stated.
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
ORIGINAL: Ruddyduck 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?
Backup for fishing in Alaska? Been there - done that. Some "hints" I learned after four years from the locals
1. It's best not to compete with bears for a fishing hole. 2. You usually find a bear where you least want to find a bear. 3. When a bear confronts a group of armed combat fishermen, allow the armed fishermen to battle with the bear while you go upstream to find a better, less noisy fishing hole. 3. Handguns are "cool", but big rifles and slug guns "rule." If you're looking at a handgun, definitely favor the double-action. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
ORIGINAL: homers brother Backup for fishing in Alaska? Been there - done that. Some "hints" I learned after four years from the locals 1. It's best not to compete with bears for a fishing hole. 2. You usually find a bear where you least want to find a bear. 3. When a bear confronts a group of armed combat fishermen, allow the armed fishermen to battle with the bear while you go upstream to find a better, less noisy fishing hole. 3. Handguns are "cool", but big rifles and slug guns "rule." If you're looking at a handgun, definitely favor the double-action. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
Fast has nothing to do with it. Odds are if you are surprized by a bear you're only going to get one shot. Lose the Dirty Harry mentality. With the type of loads one is talking for bear protection and hunting in general a double tap isn't going to happen like with a 9mm or 45 acp at the range. Recoil from these stout loads isn't going to allow it to happen.
If your surprized at 50 ft or under and need to bring the gun into action one shot is about all you'll get. Like anything else practice. Personally for me it would be a shotgun with a 3" shell of 00 if I had to try to stop something at close range. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
44 Mag 300 grain Cast LBT style bullet.
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
i agree that you should aim for the nose thats what they said on TV the other day
but i would rather have a handgun then my hands also though i would rather have a big cal semi then a revolver ORIGINAL: eldeguello 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. 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?
ORIGINAL: DannyD 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.  So it won't hurt as much when the Bear shoves it up his Butt! |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog ORIGINAL: DannyD 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. 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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. 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 |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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?:eek:For crying out loud if you can't read the post and add something decent to say, please move on to the next one!:eek: 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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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 |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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.
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
ORIGINAL: eldeguello 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?:eek:For crying out loud if you can't read the post and add something decent to say, please move on to the next one!:eek: 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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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!! |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
ORIGINAL: 8mm/06 ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog ORIGINAL: DannyD 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. 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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
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. Thanks Bryan |
RE: Back Up Caliber?
Hey Bryan - did you empty your PM inbox yet??
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
Yes!
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RE: Back Up Caliber?
I personally would get either a .454 Casull or bigger.With a.454 you can use it for a variety of animals. Some people I know in MOhunt hogs, varmints, and occasionally its their primary deer gun.
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