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.44 for bear protection

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Old 02-25-2005, 12:26 AM
  #1  
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Default .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
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Old 02-25-2005, 02:21 AM
  #2  
Nontypical Buck
 
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Default 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.
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Old 02-25-2005, 05:20 AM
  #3  
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Default 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
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Old 02-25-2005, 06:11 AM
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Default RE: .44 for bear protection

Buffalo Bore has a "factory" load with a Lead Bullet Tech. 403gr cast bullet pretty stoked up... I going to pick up a box for my next adventure in big bear country.

Erik


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Old 02-25-2005, 07:36 AM
  #5  
bigcountry
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Default 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.
 
Old 02-25-2005, 07:36 AM
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Default 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.
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Old 02-25-2005, 10:11 AM
  #7  
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Default 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
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Old 02-25-2005, 12:01 PM
  #8  
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Default 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.
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Old 02-25-2005, 03:03 PM
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Default pepper spray

pepper spray.......... haha thats a good one....... i guess bears might like they're food spicy too.
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Old 02-25-2005, 03:11 PM
  #10  
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Default RE: .44 for bear protection

pepper spray.......... haha thats a good one....... i guess bears might like they're food spicy too.
Oh yea? You actually tried it and it didn't work?
 


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