.44 for bear protection
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 3
.44 for bear protection
I just bought a redhawk .44 mag for bear protection on the rivers up here in AK and was wondering what type and weight of bullets i should load for the grizzlys. any info will help
Thanks from Alaska,
Bud
Thanks from Alaska,
Bud
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: A flat lander lost in the mountains of Northern,AZ
Posts: 3,171
RE: .44 for bear protection
For a grizzly id be more worried about penetration over any other factor, Id go with a heavy jacketed round nose soft point in the 300 grain range or a partition, id imagine most folks in here are gonna tell ya to go with a 300 grain cast lead bullet. any of those would be my choices for the 44 mag.
Personally if i was gonna tote grizzly repellent in the form of a handgun i might have went with a super redhawk in 454 casull or a BFR in 45-70.
Personally if i was gonna tote grizzly repellent in the form of a handgun i might have went with a super redhawk in 454 casull or a BFR in 45-70.
#3
RE: .44 for bear protection
Speer used to make a 300 gr JFP... the bigger and heavier, the better.
actually, as hard of a noggin as a griz has (and that's about the only sure stopper you're gonna have if you get charged) you'd be better off with a 12 gauge stoked full of Hi-Impacts
actually, as hard of a noggin as a griz has (and that's about the only sure stopper you're gonna have if you get charged) you'd be better off with a 12 gauge stoked full of Hi-Impacts
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: .44 for bear protection
I have never been in this position, so I am poorly qualified as most of the replys probably will be. In other words, mostly opinion. But right off hand, I would want a Hard Cast bullet like the buffalo load. At least 300gr with H110 pushing it out.
You can't beat that penetraton. I would stay away from XTP's or even partitions. Penetration is what you want and need I would think.
You can't beat that penetraton. I would stay away from XTP's or even partitions. Penetration is what you want and need I would think.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,263
RE: .44 for bear protection
Go with the 300 gr bullet of your choice and practice. That gun with stout loads can be a challenge to shoot accurately, and when you factor in the fear factor of a bear charge you'll be thankful you shot it a lot. Get some pepper spray too, it has a good track record with those bears.
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 321
RE: .44 for bear protection
if that was me i'd opt for a big heavy hard cast lead with a big meplat... big meplat = big wound channel and at 44 mag velocities a 300 gr or similar bullet will provide some pretty respectable KO... Some WW296 or H110 should get you there without much fanfare
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NW Ohio , 5 min from Ottawa National / Magee Marsh
Posts: 2,051
RE: .44 for bear protection
I would go with a 300 or hevieyer Hard cast bullet for the penatration .
Like the Federal 300 gr cast core load.
Like the Federal 300 gr cast core load.