Bear protection. Let's stir the pot.

SHOOTER said:

My choice

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A single shot is really your choice?? :shock:

SHOOTER said:

My choice

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You don't follow instructions very well, do you? That AND a single shot?

You haven't seen my brush buster

SHOOTER said:

You haven't seen my brush buster

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Anything stopping you from showing it?

Seems Ruger has a new model of the Redhawk. .45colt/.45acp convertible. That seems like an interesting alternative.

Groo here
My turn.[LOL]
The 44 spec and or the 44mag "can" make the same hole.
The difference is how deep that hole goes.
My choice is--- Whatever action YOU shoot the most and a short barrel.
As the choice is between a 2 1/2in an a 5 1/2 in I pick the shorter.
The problem is , this is fore defense, not hunting.
That means you are not acting but reacting.
As a Bear can out run a horse over a short distance , the chances of you shooting at any distance
much over a few yards is slight.
More likely , you will be fighting from the ground and that means the barrel will be eating fur.
The biggest gun and load you can shoot with one hand [ the bear will be busy with the other ]
is the best you can do.
Cooper suggested a snub in 357mag with high penetration loads
shooting in the ear, the eye,or under the chin.

Groo said:

Groo here
My turn.[LOL]
The 44 spec and or the 44mag "can" make the same hole.
The difference is how deep that hole goes.
My choice is--- Whatever action YOU shoot the most and a short barrel.
As the choice is between a 2 1/2in an a 5 1/2 in I pick the shorter.
The problem is , this is fore defense, not hunting.
That means you are not acting but reacting.
As a Bear can out run a horse over a short distance , the chances of you shooting at any distance
much over a few yards is slight.
More likely , you will be fighting from the ground and that means the barrel will be eating fur.
The biggest gun and load you can shoot with one hand [ the bear will be busy with the other ]
is the best you can do.
Cooper suggested a snub in 357mag with high penetration loads
shooting in the ear, the eye,or under the chin.

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Yes, but with a bear right on top of you putting a bullet in one of those 3 places could present a whole new challenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=401ATHqOCOg&app=desktop

Sometimes it's good to already have your gun out, and I've been in that position a few times.

Sometimes it's good to be able to get it out quick: This is Fred Eichman, he's a bow hunter and his bow and gear were packed up. Fortunately he had an experienced guide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuYs8Dnef3s

http://www.adn.com/article/20150623/brown-bear-shot-and-killed-kodiak-after-it-charged-man

Getting back on track, of the two choices (neither would be my choice) I'd have to take the 2-1/2'' bbl Alaskan .44 Mag.
Nothing was said about ammo, I'd probably load some 300gr WFN bullets about as fast as I could get out of that short bbl.
If I had the money & time, I'd also have the cylinder fluted. :wink:

Frank V said:

If I had the money & time, I'd also have the cylinder fluted. :wink:

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You're in luck as the Alaskan in .44 Mag has a fluted cylinder.

Frank V said:

2-1/2'' bbl Alaskan .44 Mag. ........ cylinder fluted. :wink:

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Thanks I thought I saw one with a non-fluted cylinder & just thought they were all that way. Maybe it was a .454?

Frank V said:

Thanks I thought I saw one with a non-fluted cylinder & just thought they were all that way. Maybe it was a .454?

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Both the .454 and .480 versions are not fluted. My .480 Alaskan:

Thanks I thought all were non fluted because the one I saw was non fluted.
Thanks for clearing it up.

What I've killed bears with:

375 H&H (5 shots), 45-70 (1 shot), 358 Winchester (2 shots), 9.3x74R (2 shots), 358 Norma (1 shot).

What I carry for bear deterrence and defense:



45-70



45 Colt



358 Winchester



375-350 Rem Mag





45 Colt

The 44 Mag is really a no-brainer, even in a short barrel revolver.

Bearing (no pun intended) in mind you've got more experience than 99.9 % of the people in America. I hope things are going well for you. How's the heat treating you?

This is my Bear equipment.... Marlin Guide Gun and my BFR .45-70 with 5.5 inch barrel.

Had to get a pic of the wagon in too! Need something to haul said dead bear in!!