DM's right. A short barreled 12 ga is your best bet, especially since you said money is an issue. I carry a Super Redhawk in bear country but I also spend alot of time on the range with it too. If bears are really a threat where you're going, I'd reconsider...

I'm going to suggest a few things: you're from idaho, so your bears are know for being on the heavy side, and last I knew you had more than curious bruins to worry about....the smallest piece I'd be packing would be a .44mag in a Double action revolver. The .45acp would likely work alright, however, when a bear's laying on your chest, there's a LOT of things that can happen that will cause an auto to jam...a DA revolver makes things easier, you shouldn't even consider a SA IMHO, as much as I love them, they're just not suited for close quarters "combat".

A .454Cassul or .480Ruger Ruger Super Redhawk would make great choices, while the .44mag Redhawk wouldn't hurt you either.

One thing I'm noticing being suggested is "HEAVY LOADS", which isn't necessarily a great idea. At the range you'll be using this gun, standard .44mag loads are going to make big dents in the bear, while heavy loads might do better, you'll also not be able to shoot them as quickly nor accurately most likely. I'd rather have a gun that puts dents pretty close together and gets them there fast than have a gun that makes a HUGE dent, then points at the sky.

I recently bought a Smith & Wesson 500 mag to replace my Winchester Classic 7mm mag. this fall.
It should have no trouble taking out a bear, if need be.
Got the hunter version from the Performance Center.


Sag.

Sag, glad you finally got a gun for concealed carry!

T98,

It's that obvious, huh ?


Sag.

Sag........You aren't compensating for something else are ya?[:-]
Geezus man, you'll need a horse and trailer to haul that thing into the woods.

My buddy has a .480 ruger (SuperBlackhawk) and I was comparing those .500 cartridges next to his .480 (which I thought was very stout)......It's like standing a 9mm next to a .44 mag.

Highpower,
Get your self a fat can of pepper spray for your hiking trips, and something in the .480,.454 ish range for the bear hunting. Or you could just skip sane and get Sag's new toy.

It should be without having to be said: ANYTIME YOU ARE BETTING YOUR LIFE ON A FIREARM (whatever it is) YOU SHOULD PRACTICE UNTIL IT IS SECOND NATURE. NO TIME FOR THINKING ABOUT HOW TO OPERATE THE WEAPON. JUST WHERE I AM GOING TO HIT HIM.

44 Mag minumim. Good heavy Hard cast bullets. This would work in a pinch but its not a great Beaer Hunting gun. The Pump shotgun although not easy to carry is a better option for sure. A short lever gun in 45 LC 44 Mag or 480 Ruger would be another option.

Bear hunting with a handgun? Maybe with a .454 Casull and only with a rifle as back up. If you like single shots, consider the TC Contender series in a rifle caliber. Of course, if you miss on the first shot you had better be a quick reloader or a very quick runner!

Moose make me more nervous than bears. I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk & heavy loads that I have carried when I get the urge to wander off with a map & compass up north. It has a nice trigger, too. But I am casual in the deep woods; probably something laying for me in a deep thicket would get the Biscuit. That's a chance I take solo. I don't hunt when I hike; once you hit something big, it may run, or it may dedicate what time it has left going after you. A couple of my former high school acquaintances wounded a grizzly and were in a charge situation. They finally dropped him but they had to wash their shorts later.