You left off several good calibers such as .454 and .480 from your poll. Also, putting .45acp and 45 Colt in the same option is not a good idea. 45 Colt can be loaded to slightly exclipse the .44 mag in Ruger revolvers. The hot 45 Colt or maybe the .454 would get my vote if either of those were poll options. For a backpack gun, a lightweight .44 mag would also be handy... THe S&W X frames are too big and heavy for me.
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"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."
- Alexander Hamilton
of your choices I checked the .44 mag due to availability of guns in this caliber.
However, in all honesty I do not believe any of the choices constitute
"practical" bear defense.
If it comes down to a charging bear closing in on you a .458 Win Mag rifle
is not at all out of place. This cartridge is more practical than a handgun cartridge.
I put 500 S & W because it was the largest choice.
Actually the best choice for backpacking where weight is evrything I would go with the 454. Packs the most power for weight and you can down load for pleasure shooting.
If I was camping out of a vehicle I would have a semi auto 308. 20 rnds of ball will put the hurt on any bear. O course a 458 mag is just short of a cannon.
If you are smart the bear threat can be minimized when camping. Walking up on a bear is where I would be scared.
I think you missed, posting a good caliber. (The .41 mag)
And should clarify, WHAT kind of bear.
As there is a huge difference, between them.
A 250 lb. black bear, or 1100 lb grizzly!
I personally use both, the .41 & .44.
My little wife, carries a .41.
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"If we ever forget we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
A Man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN, a Man WITHOUT a gun is a SUBJECT
well i didnt vote because what i would choos wasnt on there. in an auto i would choose a 10mm over .45 acp for the added penatraition, and would still only choose it if we are talking black bears. if brown bear, i would want a .454 or .460 or .480.
John Linebaugh is the name that comes to mind, but none of his little pet rounds were among the choices. Of the choices in the survey I would select the 44 Mag.
Only of the same type. 357 mag vs .357, 44 mag vs 44. There are some example of magnums trumping other rounds, but generally speaking it is not something you can count on. A magnum in just a max pressure load for that particular cartridge.
To be real fair though, if I were honestly worried about a bear attack, I would probably look into bear mace. Carrying a bigger hand cannon if you are hiking is a good idea, but mace is a pretty effective tool.
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"It is useless for the sheep
to pass resolutions in favour of
vegetarianism" ~ R. W. Inge
Only of the same type. 357 mag vs .357, 44 mag vs 44. There are some example of magnums trumping other rounds, but generally speaking it is not something you can count on. A magnum in just a max pressure load for that particular cartridge.
To be real fair though, if I were honestly worried about a bear attack, I would probably look into bear mace. Carrying a bigger hand cannon if you are hiking is a good idea, but mace is a pretty effective tool.
I'll look into it.
And here are a couple deals which are likely going to be useful....
A. This would be used as a side arm while remote fly fishing in New England...
B. Because its New England, its likely going to be a BLACK bear NOT Grizzly.
Thats good and bad... Good because I don't need a Canon to bring it down. Bad because Black Bears rarely confront people unless they plan on eating them.
Anyway, I don't know what to tell you. I can tell you from personal experience that I carry a .45acp or a .357 when I hike in to fish. My fishing backpack is not as comfortable as my camping backpack while carrying, so my handgun choice tends to be decided by what wears best with that pack.
__________________
"It is useless for the sheep
to pass resolutions in favour of
vegetarianism" ~ R. W. Inge
"One nation under God"
