.357/.45 Black Bear country back up - Page 2 - The Firearms Forum

Big ugly · 10-01-2009, 06:48 AM

41 mag myself. No offence to the 45 but there just aint enough knock down power where it counts. Granted a double stack clip will allow you to throw morelead down range but I am more worried about a pissed off bear that a dead one. You have a better chance at a single shot kill with the 44 than that of the 45 auto. That being said I believe the 357 would offer a better range kill or chance of kill than the 45.

user · 10-01-2009, 08:33 AM

Another vote for the .44 magnum. My launch vehicle is a S&W 29 Mountain Gun (4" tapered barrel). A good companion to the Marlin 1894SS lever action rifle in the same caliber.

357bearkiller · 01-30-2010, 01:07 AM

I took down a black bear last year with a .357 magnum in eastern Washington. Took 3 shots to bring him down, 3 more to kill him. He was about 10-12 years old, 300 lbs. Tough son of a bitch but the .357 did the job.

trapperdick · 02-10-2010, 08:48 PM

Unless you're going to use them to shoot youself as a last resort, I wouldn't carry either the 357 or 45, they'll just get you hurt. If you're going to shoot a bear with a handgun make sure it's big enought to do the job. At least a 41 Mag or 44 Mag............TD

jmohler · 02-10-2010, 10:51 PM

Given the choice between a 1911 and a .357, I'd take the .357, with full metal jackets. As a matter of fact, those are my choices, and that is what I pack. I go with the full metal jackets because in the woods, there's no such thing as over-penetration.

focusmaniaczx3 · 02-11-2010, 08:34 AM

what would be your opinion on a 6 inch barrel judge firing pretty hot .45 long colt loads? its the biggest caliber hand gun i have and thats what i take with me when im in the woods. ive been thinking about getting a 500 S&W

GoodOl'12gauge · 02-11-2010, 09:52 AM

Ive been in grizz territory only once and for back up i wore both of my saa .45 colts both loaded with my 250 grain jhp's with unique powder behind them. 5 1/2 inch barrels and in a double hip rig.

fritz · 11-27-2010, 06:07 PM

I hunt bears with hounds, this is what i carry in with me. a Marlin 1895GS, 45-70. and a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag. as a back up weapon.

old semperfi · 11-27-2010, 08:14 PM

i would not choose either,a 44 mag would be the least i would go if i couldnt afford a 500 s&w mag.if you only have the two then if it is a ruger 45 reload or buy custom rounds to make up the difference,i wouldnt even consider the 357. old semperfi

10-01-2009, 06:48 AM	#26
Big ugly Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Contributor Posts: 2,603	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up 41 mag myself. No offence to the 45 but there just aint enough knock down power where it counts. Granted a double stack clip will allow you to throw morelead down range but I am more worried about a pissed off bear that a dead one. You have a better chance at a single shot kill with the 44 than that of the 45 auto. That being said I believe the 357 would offer a better range kill or chance of kill than the 45. __________________ "You say the Devil made do it with a smile. Raisin' hell and howlin at the moon. Well I'm gonna put your @$$ back in line. I'm gonna scare the Devil out of you." BlackBerry Smoke Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R513dA4peMg Nothing is "proof" against a truly talented fool. Swanshot

10-01-2009, 08:33 AM	#27
user Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern piedmont of Va. and Middle of Nowhere, West Virginia Posts: 1,013	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up Another vote for the .44 magnum. My launch vehicle is a S&W 29 Mountain Gun (4" tapered barrel). A good companion to the Marlin 1894SS lever action rifle in the same caliber. __________________ ===== Daniel L. Hawes - 540 347 2430 - HTTP://www.VirginiaLegalDefense.com By the way, nothing I say on this website as "user" should be taken as either advertising for attorney services or legal advice. Everyone having a question regarding the application of law to the facts of their situation should seek the advice of an attorney competent in the subject matter of the issues presented and licensed to practice in the relevant state.

01-30-2010, 01:07 AM	#28
357bearkiller Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up I took down a black bear last year with a .357 magnum in eastern Washington. Took 3 shots to bring him down, 3 more to kill him. He was about 10-12 years old, 300 lbs. Tough son of a bitch but the .357 did the job.

02-10-2010, 08:48 PM	#29
trapperdick Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Western, Maine Posts: 26	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up Unless you're going to use them to shoot youself as a last resort, I wouldn't carry either the 357 or 45, they'll just get you hurt. If you're going to shoot a bear with a handgun make sure it's big enought to do the job. At least a 41 Mag or 44 Mag............TD __________________ Retired from 25 yrs in Law Enforcement

02-10-2010, 10:51 PM	#30
jmohler Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 35	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up Given the choice between a 1911 and a .357, I'd take the .357, with full metal jackets. As a matter of fact, those are my choices, and that is what I pack. I go with the full metal jackets because in the woods, there's no such thing as over-penetration.

02-11-2010, 08:34 AM	#31
focusmaniaczx3 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 247	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up what would be your opinion on a 6 inch barrel judge firing pretty hot .45 long colt loads? its the biggest caliber hand gun i have and thats what i take with me when im in the woods. ive been thinking about getting a 500 S&W

02-11-2010, 09:52 AM	#32
GoodOl'12gauge V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 258	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up Ive been in grizz territory only once and for back up i wore both of my saa .45 colts both loaded with my 250 grain jhp's with unique powder behind them. 5 1/2 inch barrels and in a double hip rig.

11-27-2010, 06:07 PM	#33
fritz V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 89	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up I hunt bears with hounds, this is what i carry in with me. a Marlin 1895GS, 45-70. and a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag. as a back up weapon.

11-27-2010, 08:14 PM	#34
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: .357/.45 Black Bear country back up i would not choose either,a 44 mag would be the least i would go if i couldnt afford a 500 s&w mag.if you only have the two then if it is a ruger 45 reload or buy custom rounds to make up the difference,i wouldnt even consider the 357. old semperfi