Minimum caliber - The Firearms Forum

karlinshiloh · 08-04-2012, 10:35 AM

I was wonder what folks think is the minimum handgun caliber for defense against a black bear might be? I'm not looking to hunt the bear but I do alot of trail riding on my UTV and have come across a couple cubs. They haven't come in close but I do like to be prepared in case they get curious or momma decides to saw up.
Thanks for any opinions,
Karl

savage170 · 08-04-2012, 10:53 AM

.357 with a good hard cast bullet such as these Federal 180 gr. CastCore Flat Point 180gr x 1130fps = 510 ft/lbs
Buffalo Bore 180gr. Lead Flat Nose Gas Check 180gr x 1400fps = 783 ft/lbs
and if I remember right Cor-Bon has a 200 grain load

carver · 08-04-2012, 10:55 AM

A .357 might get the job done, but I would want something a little bigger, say .44mag!

76Highboy · 08-04-2012, 11:07 AM

Karl,

I would not carry anything less then a 44 magnum. Here is a link to the bullet that I would recommend.

http://www.hornady.com/store/44-Mag-240-gr-XTP/

Smith makes the model 629 mountain gun. It is nice to pack in the back country and easy to use. I prefer a revolver for back woods carry because if you were ever on the ground with a bear (God forbid) the revolver wont jam. That is when the model 629 mountain gun is nice. It's double action and a bit of a shorter barrel for easier maneuvering.

IMO, a .357 is too small to do the job.

Jim

Zhurh · 08-04-2012, 12:14 PM

I've only had 2 blk bear ever try the sneak in on me, like a cat on a rabbit. Common with young males when you have lots of bear that haven't ever seen people, they think food. I was able to hollar & wave the first off and shot the second one several years later.

Every blk bear sow with cubs has always taken off, even when one of the cubs ran up a tree right nx to me. I carried 44s for years, now have a couple 460's cause I can hit things at 100 yards with that pistol. Just make sure you can hit what your aiming at. I've seen so many people buy pistols and never practice with them, then see them miss shot after shot when it counts.

We have all kinds of bear where I call home, and accuracy counts more than caliber.

cpttango30 · 08-04-2012, 05:09 PM

12 ga

old semperfi · 08-05-2012, 10:09 PM

why the minimum caliber.they others were right as far as the 357 mag is concerned,you need to buy the largest caliber you are comfortable shooting.overkill best the hell out of underkill if your trying to stop a charging bear. old semperfi

savage170 · 08-06-2012, 05:41 AM

Not everyone can handle a 44 mag my wife is one of them but does ok with the heavy load .357's and my GP 100. I would rather see her carrying that then a bag of rocks.

carver · 08-06-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savage170

Not everyone can handle a 44 mag my wife is one of them but does ok with the heavy load .357's and my GP 100. I would rather see her carrying that then a bag of rocks.

If your wife can handle the .357 with heavy loads, then she can handle the .44mag. It's all about practice! My daughter, at 13, could outshoot me with my .44mag.

08-04-2012, 10:35 AM	#1
karlinshiloh Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1	Minimum caliber I was wonder what folks think is the minimum handgun caliber for defense against a black bear might be? I'm not looking to hunt the bear but I do alot of trail riding on my UTV and have come across a couple cubs. They haven't come in close but I do like to be prepared in case they get curious or momma decides to saw up. Thanks for any opinions, Karl -->

08-04-2012, 10:53 AM	#2
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: Minimum caliber .357 with a good hard cast bullet such as these Federal 180 gr. CastCore Flat Point 180gr x 1130fps = 510 ft/lbs Buffalo Bore 180gr. Lead Flat Nose Gas Check 180gr x 1400fps = 783 ft/lbs and if I remember right Cor-Bon has a 200 grain load

08-04-2012, 10:55 AM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,221	Re: Minimum caliber A .357 might get the job done, but I would want something a little bigger, say .44mag! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

08-04-2012, 11:07 AM	#4
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,925	Re: Minimum caliber Karl, I would not carry anything less then a 44 magnum. Here is a link to the bullet that I would recommend. http://www.hornady.com/store/44-Mag-240-gr-XTP/ Smith makes the model 629 mountain gun. It is nice to pack in the back country and easy to use. I prefer a revolver for back woods carry because if you were ever on the ground with a bear (God forbid) the revolver wont jam. That is when the model 629 mountain gun is nice. It's double action and a bit of a shorter barrel for easier maneuvering. IMO, a .357 is too small to do the job. Jim

08-04-2012, 12:14 PM	#5
Zhurh Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upper Yukon, Alaska Posts: 1,807	Re: Minimum caliber I've only had 2 blk bear ever try the sneak in on me, like a cat on a rabbit. Common with young males when you have lots of bear that haven't ever seen people, they think food. I was able to hollar & wave the first off and shot the second one several years later. Every blk bear sow with cubs has always taken off, even when one of the cubs ran up a tree right nx to me. I carried 44s for years, now have a couple 460's cause I can hit things at 100 yards with that pistol. Just make sure you can hit what your aiming at. I've seen so many people buy pistols and never practice with them, then see them miss shot after shot when it counts. We have all kinds of bear where I call home, and accuracy counts more than caliber.

08-04-2012, 05:09 PM	#6
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Minimum caliber 12 ga

08-05-2012, 10:09 PM	#7
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Minimum caliber why the minimum caliber.they others were right as far as the 357 mag is concerned,you need to buy the largest caliber you are comfortable shooting.overkill best the hell out of underkill if your trying to stop a charging bear. old semperfi

08-06-2012, 05:41 AM	#8
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: Minimum caliber Not everyone can handle a 44 mag my wife is one of them but does ok with the heavy load .357's and my GP 100. I would rather see her carrying that then a bag of rocks.