handgun for defense while hunting
10-24-2010, 01:43 PM
#11
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Northern BC, Canada
Posts: 47
If you are specifically looking for a pistol and not a revolver, allow me to recommend a Browning 9mm. It's quite accurate and has a very practical safety.Attachment 13204
Thanks for all your support!!
So what is the impact different between the .44 mag and the .357?
10-24-2010, 03:57 PM
#12
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: West TN
Posts: 374
The 357 magnum is a excelent handgun and I wouldn't hesitate useing it on a deer and maby as backup on a Blackbear but not a grizzly/brownbear.. The 44 launches a 240gr bullet at around 1300fps and a 357 launches a 158gr bulled at 1200 the 44 penatrates deeper has a bigger bullet but dose kick harder but not nearly as much recoil as a 500
10-25-2010, 03:49 PM
#13
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 868
In brown bear territory the minimum you should be considering is a 44 Mag with heavy deep penetrating cast or punch bullets. In a brown bear encounter even a heavy loaded .357 will lead to you ending up as bear scat.
For a protection gun, I would try to stick with a double action revolver such as a SW model 29, 629 or a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk.
A packable gun that you can keep on your person (not much good in your pack) will probably end up with a relatively short barrel 4" or less and will have substantial recoil if fired with full house deep penetrating loads such as the Grizzly 300gr WFNGC.
Not being a terribly experienced handgun shooter you should be wary of going to calibers higher than the 44 Mag (not necessarily avoid, just be very judicious in your decision). While packing a ton more punch the 454 Casull also packs a ton more recoil, especially in a packable platform such as the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Unless you are VERY familiar with shooting guns that dish out this type of recoil they can be extremely difficult to shoot (the followup shots tend to take much longer). Take a look at this youtube video
Another good review of the 454 Alaskan is from Shooting Times (here)
For a protection gun, I would try to stick with a double action revolver such as a SW model 29, 629 or a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk.
A packable gun that you can keep on your person (not much good in your pack) will probably end up with a relatively short barrel 4" or less and will have substantial recoil if fired with full house deep penetrating loads such as the Grizzly 300gr WFNGC.
Not being a terribly experienced handgun shooter you should be wary of going to calibers higher than the 44 Mag (not necessarily avoid, just be very judicious in your decision). While packing a ton more punch the 454 Casull also packs a ton more recoil, especially in a packable platform such as the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Unless you are VERY familiar with shooting guns that dish out this type of recoil they can be extremely difficult to shoot (the followup shots tend to take much longer). Take a look at this youtube video
Another good review of the 454 Alaskan is from Shooting Times (here)
Last edited by 98Redline; 10-25-2010 at 03:53 PM.
10-25-2010, 08:55 PM
#14
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 608
Not being a terribly experienced handgun shooter you should be wary of going to calibers higher than the 44 Mag (not necessarily avoid, just be very judicious in your decision). While packing a ton more punch the 454 Casull also packs a ton more recoil, especially in a packable platform such as the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Unless you are VERY familiar with shooting guns that dish out this type of recoil they can be extremely difficult to shoot (the followup shots tend to take much longer). Take a look at this youtube video
I suggest getting proper training. See if there are certified instructors in your area. Also check to see which handgun cartridges/ammo suitable for large bear are available to you. Ruger makes very strong and dependable revolvers. I would go with at least a .44 Mag in double action (stay away from single action revolvers for defense). Be aware a .460 S&W can also shoot .454 Casull and .45 Colt, and a .454 Casull can also shoot .45 Colt. Some .45 Colt ammunition comes close to some .44 Mag loads in the power area.
10-26-2010, 02:52 AM
#15
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 647
The 460 and the 500 seem to be the most ideal to my thinking. I know for a fact that they make a 4" in the 500. The only reason I still recommend it is because its got more power than anything else.
I've used a SW 500 for deer. Its not too horrible to keep ahold of.
I've used a SW 500 for deer. Its not too horrible to keep ahold of.
10-26-2010, 01:46 PM
#16
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: St. Marys, Georgia
Posts: 168
I carry a Glock 23. 500 rds thru mine and it goes bang everytime. Compact pistol which is easy to carry. Are we talking self defense against a person or bear? If its for a bear then the 454 is my .02!
Last edited by Otsdawa_Game_Hunter; 10-26-2010 at 01:49 PM.
10-26-2010, 04:08 PM
#18
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 268
I would go with the .44 mag
I doubt you will have time to put ears on.
I can handle the .44 with no ear protection if I had to.
There no way in hell I would shoot a .500 .460 or .454 casull without
ear protection.
bb
I doubt you will have time to put ears on.
I can handle the .44 with no ear protection if I had to.
There no way in hell I would shoot a .500 .460 or .454 casull without
ear protection.
bb
Last edited by Bucktail_Bob; 10-26-2010 at 04:11 PM.
10-26-2010, 04:19 PM
#19
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 868
I would gladly sacrifice some of my hearing to not be dead.
Pack as much caliber as you can handle.
pnut....when it comes to stopping a Canadian brown bear in his tracks, the .45 ACP would be nearly as useless as a rolled up newspaper.
For most situations, the .45acp is a fine round (one of my personal favs) however it is way under powered as a bear defense gun in BC Cowboy's neck of the woods.
Pack as much caliber as you can handle.
pnut....when it comes to stopping a Canadian brown bear in his tracks, the .45 ACP would be nearly as useless as a rolled up newspaper.
For most situations, the .45acp is a fine round (one of my personal favs) however it is way under powered as a bear defense gun in BC Cowboy's neck of the woods.
