Quote:
|
am concerned about the possibility of running into a grizzly or brown bear. Would a .357 be enough against a grizzly?
|
The closest brown bear is in Alaska. Inland grizzly are more aggressive and likely to attack than black bear, but are on average less than 100 lbs heavier. And are quite rare in the lower 48, usually only seen in or near Yellowstone NP. The most likely scenario for you is with a 150-250 lb black bear.
A 357 mag or 10mm loaded with 180-200 gr hardcast bullets are more than adequate. Phil Shoemaker, a noted brown bear guide in Alaska has done a lot of testing and is quite comfortable with 357 mag on even the largest brown bear. In fact in August he killed a large male brown bear that attacked a fishing client he was guiding with 147gr hard cast 9mm bullets.
I carry a G29 loaded with 200 gr DoubleTap ammo in black bear country. I've carried the same combo camping in Yellowstone and slept as well as I would with any other handgun.
I have 3" and 4" Smith 629's that stay home. Even the 3" gun is over a pound heavier, and almost 2" longer than the G29. With G20 mags I have an additional 10 rounds of ammo.
If I were handgun hunting then a 6" 44 magnum makes sense. The longer barrel, better sights and trigger mean more bullet velocity and accuracy. But carrying one around for personal protection none of those matter when lighter more compact weapons are available.