Handguns for Bear Defense: Will Any of Them Stop the Threat?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
nothing that a well aimed .44 mag with proper ammo won't deal with. That being said, these years I'll go with .454 Casull or, if out in the deep high country, a .500 mag. Quicker to bring onto target and the .500 has similar specs to several .30 rifles at close range with the high end loads.
Anchorite
Professional
Very, very true.
Talyn
Emissary
A hot-loaded 12 ga slug is better than a 44 mag.
Hot-loaded factory 12-gauge Brenneke ammunition typically refers to the Brenneke Black Magic Magnum, one of the heaviest and most powerful commercial slug options available for large or dangerous game.
www.brennekeusa.com
Key Specifications
Hot-loaded factory 12-gauge Brenneke ammunition typically refers to the Brenneke Black Magic Magnum, one of the heaviest and most powerful commercial slug options available for large or dangerous game.
Black Magic® Magnum
Key Specifications
- Shell Length: 3-inch Magnum
- Slug Weight: 1 3/8 ounces (602 grains)
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,502 feet per second (fps)
- Muzzle Energy: 3,014 foot-pounds (ft-lbs)
- Special Features: Includes a black CleanSpeed® barrel-fouling reduction coating and a patented B.E.T.® wad system for stable flight.
- Recoil: Generates severe felt recoil; recommended for use with sturdy shotguns equipped with a good recoil pad.
- Choke Compatibility: Best used with cylinder bore or improved cylinder chokes.
- Shotgun Condition: Safe only in modern, structurally sound 12-gauge shotguns chambered for 3-inch shells.
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I do have two .45/70's...an 1873 Trapdoor, and Shiloh's 1874 Sharp's. My speed on reloading is poor...very poor, and could be fatal.A hot-loaded 12 ga slug is better than a 44 mag.
Hot-loaded factory 12-gauge Brenneke ammunition typically refers to the Brenneke Black Magic Magnum, one of the heaviest and most powerful commercial slug options available for large or dangerous game.
Black Magic® Magnum
View attachment 115772
Key Specifications
Safety and Usage Considerations
- Shell Length: 3-inch Magnum
- Slug Weight: 1 3/8 ounces (602 grains)
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,502 feet per second (fps)
- Muzzle Energy: 3,014 foot-pounds (ft-lbs)
- Special Features: Includes a black CleanSpeed® barrel-fouling reduction coating and a patented B.E.T.® wad system for stable flight.
View attachment 115773
- Recoil: Generates severe felt recoil; recommended for use with sturdy shotguns equipped with a good recoil pad.
- Choke Compatibility: Best used with cylinder bore or improved cylinder chokes.
- Shotgun Condition: Safe only in modern, structurally sound 12-gauge shotguns chambered for 3-inch shells.
Biggfoot44
Professional
A true statement on its face .
That said , a couple decades ago reached my personal conclusion that l could better deal with clandestine pot growers or meth cookers with a .44 or .45 , than deal with Yogi with a .38 or 9mn .
Biggfoot44
Professional
Only a small step , to name check the 250gr & up cast .45 Colt @ 900 fps .
Anchorite
Professional
Sure. And I am a devout fan of both.
We can argue 44/45, like we can how many Angels can dance on the head of a pin.
what I would use in the .45 LC is my (underwood) +P lead FNGC of 325 gr @ 1325 fps, rated around 1267 FPE which is a stout .44 mag equivalent. They are good quality and penetrate deep while providing punch. YMMV
Anchorite
Professional
That would work!
Personally, I’d not want a heavy recoiling revolver to take on a bear that might want to eat me for lunch. I’d prefer something controllable under rapid fire, and for me, that balance point is around 1200fps, giving me ample penetration, shooter comfort and trajectory.
MontanaThom
Alpha
I'm with you 100% on that. Deep penetration and getting back on target with a firearm that's more controllable is critical.