[Zeus]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Dryfli

.454 so I cant vote

Over the S&W 460?

[pico]

The only 460 and 500 S&W revolvers I have seen are in the mamoth long barrel setup, which would really bite having to tote around as a bear defense gun. I would think the best best of all provided options is the .44 Magnum, but a snub nosed .454 would beat it out if the shooter could handle the gun. I rather my Glock 20 in 10mm, as I get 15 rounds in the mag with hot 10mm loads beating out the hot .357 Magnum. I might not have the most powerful rounds in the woods, but I would have 250% more loaded than the 6 shooters.

[SilverRun]

I noticed a couple things worthy of clarification. A .357 mag is not just a powerful .357 nor is a .44 mag just a more powerful 44. A .357 mag and a 44 mag are cartridge designations. The 38 special and 44 special are their weaker counterparts designation. Also, don't forget that the gun will do you no good if you leave it in the truck because it is too dang heavy. I would go for a lighter compact .454, 45 colt or 44 mag. if we are talking packing in brown bear territory. Black bears could likely be handled with a hot .45 acp or 10mm. I personally carry a Glock 20 in 10mm, but black bears are really rare and brown bears are non-existent where I spend most of my time currently. My main concern are wild hogs which can be pretty mean sometimes... Good Luck

[skiking]

I would worry more about getting quality bear spray more than the caliber of handgun. Bear spray is pretty nasty stuff, there have been several studies that show bear spray stops more attacks than firearms, but I have yet to see one that shows a firearm is more effective. I know a lot more guys that pack bear spray than a sidearm because it provides a greater margin of error for aiming and is about 1/3 the weight.

If you are set on carrying a gun, pick something that you will shoot at the range so you can get comfortable with it. If you aren't comfortable shooting it, you might not shoot well enough when the adrenaline is pumping.

[TGF]

45-70

[BORIS]

I put 44 special. I saw a just over 400 pound Black bear shot with a 44 special loaded with Buffalo bore NON +P, thats regular pressure 255 grain hard cast gaschecked that moves at a paltry 1000fps. The bear had a hole going in and a hole going out. It dropped on the spot.

FWIW if 45ACP fancies ya, DT has a 230 truncated flatpoint stepping out at 1050 fps. I bet its performance will be right on par with that 44 special load.

Since it will be a backpacking gun and not a range toy you are not going to be shooting much and a light packable 44 mag is going to be brutal on the the recoil end. WHat practice one would get from the 44 special will be of more quality......

[KW Gary M]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Red White &Blue

wow, bear you say. I'd want something w/ a LOT of punch so I'm voting 44 Magnum. Although I might feel more secure w/ a 12 gauge

I was thinking the exact same. 12 gage loaded with a slug, 00 Buck, slug, 00 Buck, slug, 00 Buck.

[big shrek]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Zeus

What is the best (practical) bear gun Caliber in your opinion? More a backpacking pistol than a hunting pistol.

I've gotten fond of 10MM

[big shrek]

Quote:       Originally Posted by skiking

I would worry more about getting quality bear spray more than the caliber of handgun. Bear spray is pretty nasty stuff, there have been several studies that show bear spray stops more attacks than firearms, but I have yet to see one that shows a firearm is more effective. I know a lot more guys that pack bear spray than a sidearm because it provides a greater margin of error for aiming and is about 1/3 the weight. If you are set on carrying a gun, pick something that you will shoot at the range so you can get comfortable with it. If you aren't comfortable shooting it, you might not shoot well enough when the adrenaline is pumping.

Ever watch bears licking at the ground after someone has sprayed bear spray around a camp??

It's Cajun SPICE...and we are tasty with catsup.

I like the idea of bear spray...but everyone should walk in groups of two's or more and one can use the bear spray, while the other uses a pistol/rifle/shotgun if the spray doesn't work.

[BarryHalls]

they bigger the better. The 500 with the largest available compensator is reputed to kick less than the .44 mag, and will blow a whole the size of a trash can lid in a water buffalo.

[BORIS]

Bear spray will be a no go in a honest to god real bear that wants to kill you charge. I could not imagine what the initial sting would feel like when the wind blew it back into my face. Ever seen someone use a fire extinguisher on a real fire? Most shoot low and need to correct when they fire the unsighted device toward a fire they could just run from. If that strees is bad, just imagine peeing your pants as you dig through your pack getting your spray (100% of people I know that use it, thats where they carry it!!). Only to have your first burst go low, get blown back into your face. Only the bears claws ripping your flesh and bashing your body against a rock or tree will be of more discomfort.

Use a gun, use the sights and practice enough AND carry it where you can get to it FAST!!

[dog party]

I voted for .44Mag 'cause that's what I carry on my hip when I'm hunting with my .44Mag rifle.

Although, a 10MM Glock is on my potential purchase list.

[Clem321]

In black bear country, my Mountain Gun in .44 mag would be adequate. It weighs 42 oz. and packs well. In brown bear country, I would feel better carrying my .500 JRS. It weighs 57 oz. and packs pretty well in my cross draw holster, much better than my 70 oz. 500 PC Hunter. A rifle in something like .45-70 would be better, but for the always/everywhere presence, a handgun can’t be beaten.

[skiking]

Quote:       Originally Posted by big shrek

Ever watch bears licking at the ground after someone has sprayed bear spray around a camp?? It's Cajun SPICE...and we are tasty with catsup. I like the idea of bear spray...but everyone should walk in groups of two's or more and one can use the bear spray, while the other uses a pistol/rifle/shotgun if the spray doesn't work.

It is red pepper extract, and when sprayed on object like the ground around a camp, it will actually attract bears. But when it is sprayed into the face is very nasty, pour some Dave's Insanity Sauce in your eyes for a mild comparison.

I am not saying don't carry a gun as backup, but if you need to use pepper spray, you probably won't have time to get your gun if it doesn't work. Remember it has been shown that bear spray stops a bear attack 92% of the time vs 50-(67)% of the time for firearms, and the ones that bear spray didn't stop the attacks had shorter duration attacks and less severe injuries than the ones firearms failed to stop.

BORIS, I don't know anybody that carries their bear spray in a pack, they either carry it in a hip holster or chest harness. If you carry it in a pack you might as well leave it at home.

[stinkybriches]

skiking, were did you get your nimbers from. i would like to know the criteria the used. ie any bear that was shot regardless of were counts vs only bears sprayed directly in the eyes counts. bullets are not going to get blown back into your eyes when firing into the wind, and neck and torso hits dont count with spray.

[sniper762]

a bear attack is deadly force and should be met (if necessary) with deadly force.

pepper spray is not deadly force.

i suggest s&w m29 6" barrel with 240 gr. hornady xtp's

[Red White &Blue]

I hope I never come across a bear in the wild but if I do I'd definitely want a 12 gauge to stop him if he charges or pursues

[skiking]

http://gf.state.wy.us/downloads/pdf/...ar%20spray.pdf

http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/...ar%20spray.pdf

The comprehensive report only addresses bear spray while the other, while less specific addresses both, but neither in great details. Also Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance by Stephen Herrero, in the book he has some good numbers for bear spray. I edited the firearm effectiveness to 50-67% when I found this article and it mentions a 67% effectiveness for firearms.

BYU study shows bear pepper spray a viable alternative to guns for deterring bears

Hope this helps.

[BORIS]

Quote:       Originally Posted by skiking

It is red pepper extract, and when sprayed on object like the ground around a camp, it will actually attract bears. But when it is sprayed into the face is very nasty, pour some Dave's Insanity Sauce in your eyes for a mild comparison. I am not saying don't carry a gun as backup, but if you need to use pepper spray, you probably won't have time to get your gun if it doesn't work. Remember it has been shown that bear spray stops a bear attack 92% of the time vs 50-(67)% of the time for firearms, and the ones that bear spray didn't stop the attacks had shorter duration attacks and less severe injuries than the ones firearms failed to stop. BORIS, I don't know anybody that carries their bear spray in a pack, they either carry it in a hip holster or chest harness. If you carry it in a pack you might as well leave it at home.

In all fairness, I know people that carry the gun in their pack too...........

FWIW though the only method I have seen work 100% of the time on a bear charge is throwing your hands in the air and taking a few agressive steps toward the bear!! I about crapped my pants when I saw someone do it. Then I saw a few on youtube........

[ACfixer]

I have both .44 magnum and .500 magnum revolvers. I've seen what the .500 does to cinder blocks and my .44 mag is a pop-gun by comparison.

If you really need to stop a bear in it's tracks, the S&W .500 is the gun to have. A 350g JHP at 1650 fps will remove the bear's head from it's body.