What is the smallest pistol caliber you would carry with you in bear country? - Page 3

RLFD5415 · September 24, 2008, 04:50 PM

Not trying to be an a**, but I am curious and trying to help the OP along. Is anyone here with direct bear experience comfortable with a pistol at all. How 'bout vs. a shotgun or LC rifle given weight considerations.

wyobohunter · September 25, 2008, 12:40 AM

You said... "I would feel safe with my Glock 35 .40S&W, the .40 penetrates good and has plenty of power for a handgun, and I can fire it very fast.
But I would rather choose my .454 casull redhawk 8.5''. With a rifle I wouldnt go below .308."

I'd take a .308 over ANY pistol, I'd take a .270 over any .40 S&W (look at the reloading data & do the energy math, a .500 S&W loses out to a .308). That high capacity magazine will not do much good when you'd be lucky to get one shot if a bear really decides he wants you. Sometimes I carry a revolver, but if I ever needed a gun and was lucky enough to bring it to bear before the bugger was on me, I'd probably be wishing for a .460 NE to make my one shot REALLY count. Food for thought.

chuckscap · September 26, 2008, 05:58 PM

Springfield V16 Longslide in 45 Super (230g bonded Golden Saber HP at 1150 fps). It's what I bought it for ...

Chuck

September 25, 2008, 12:40 AM	#52
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	Moloch You said... "I would feel safe with my Glock 35 .40S&W, the .40 penetrates good and has plenty of power for a handgun, and I can fire it very fast. But I would rather choose my .454 casull redhawk 8.5''. With a rifle I wouldnt go below .308." I'd take a .308 over ANY pistol, I'd take a .270 over any .40 S&W (look at the reloading data & do the energy math, a .500 S&W loses out to a .308). That high capacity magazine will not do much good when you'd be lucky to get one shot if a bear really decides he wants you. Sometimes I carry a revolver, but if I ever needed a gun and was lucky enough to bring it to bear before the bugger was on me, I'd probably be wishing for a .460 NE to make my one shot REALLY count. Food for thought.

September 24, 2008, 04:50 PM	#51
RLFD5415 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 129	Not trying to be an a**, but I am curious and trying to help the OP along. Is anyone here with direct bear experience comfortable with a pistol at all. How 'bout vs. a shotgun or LC rifle given weight considerations.

September 26, 2008, 05:58 PM	#53
chuckscap Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2007 Posts: 250	Springfield V16 Longslide in 45 Super (230g bonded Golden Saber HP at 1150 fps). It's what I bought it for ... Chuck