I was out hiking at Talimena state park in SE Oklahoma near the Arkansas border, and seen a black bear about 75yds off. I was already about ready to turn around so when i seen the bear i promptly turned around and headed back to the car. I had a LCR 357 on me, but with such a short barrel its problem no more effective then 9mm due to the short barrel; my other ccw are a glock 26 and CZ PCR both 9mm. So i think its a good accuse for new hiking gun, so should i buy Ruger Redhawk/Blackhawk in 44mag or go with a Glock 20?
Black Bear 44mag or 10mm
- Thread starter 94toy22re
- Start date
Rustydust
Active member
The 10mm Glock would be fine IF it were loaded with the ammo like it was originally loaded. Buffalo Bore used to sell a 220 grain 10mm load that was comparable to the 41 mag in power. Not sure if they still sell it but if they don't there are others out there.
Hard to beat a good .44 magnum wheelgun though. I used a stoutly loaded .44 Special for bear medicine when I was elk hunting one year. Did not need it and glad of it but it felt good having it on my hip.
Hard to beat a good .44 magnum wheelgun though. I used a stoutly loaded .44 Special for bear medicine when I was elk hunting one year. Did not need it and glad of it but it felt good having it on my hip.
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
I have owned a 44 magnum DA wheelgun for 50 years and am confident that it will stop any animal in the Americas with a well aimed shot.
Jack
Jack
Here in WA I've never seen a big black bear, 10mm is enough (I said enough not über magnum extra). I worry more about drug growers than animal attacks. My Glock 10mm holds a minimum of 15 rounds and I can put +5 base plates on those magazines.
There are some nice hot factory loads for the 10mm but its got a lot of options if you handload as well.
There are some nice hot factory loads for the 10mm but its got a lot of options if you handload as well.
Last edited:
GC
Well-known member
I just bought a Glock 20 for a woods bumming gun. In my neck of the woods we have bears, the occasional mountain lion and I bump into wild hogs fairly often. A local school bus hit a hog near one of my hunting spots that tipped the scales at 420 pounds. I jumped one out of a clear-cut that seemed about that size. At ten yards when we had our stare down it had my full attention. Those long night walks out of the woods back to the truck while bowhunting started me thinking about packing a handgun along. I have some big revolvers, but the problem is just that, they are big. And some are pretty, too nice for what this mission is going to dish out long term. The G20 seems just about right for my needs with sixteen 220 gr. wide flat point hard cast spinning along at 1,250 fps on board. Tough, shootable, easy carrying and loaded with over 10,000 foot pounds of energy I chose the 10mm.
Rustydust
Active member
The Alaskan is a big tough gun. You do not need a .454 for black bear. There are some dandy .44 Magnum rounds out there but any 240 grain soft point will serve you well.
The .44 is certainly going to make you notice the recoil more than a .357 is, but unless you are shooting something like a 320 grain +P+ load it will be no big deal. Given that your .357 is a small handgun and the Alaskan a large handgun I would not be surprised if the .44 was more pleasant to shoot. And if you are shooting it at a charging bear you will not notice the recoil at all anyway.
The .44 is certainly going to make you notice the recoil more than a .357 is, but unless you are shooting something like a 320 grain +P+ load it will be no big deal. Given that your .357 is a small handgun and the Alaskan a large handgun I would not be surprised if the .44 was more pleasant to shoot. And if you are shooting it at a charging bear you will not notice the recoil at all anyway.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SRHAlaskan454.htm
A .357 doesn't compare to a .454 (or a real hot .44). My 454 is bigger and heavier than the Alaskan and it gets to be less than enjoyable after a handful of ammo compared cranking rounds out of a .357 (even a lightweight one).
A .357 doesn't compare to a .454 (or a real hot .44). My 454 is bigger and heavier than the Alaskan and it gets to be less than enjoyable after a handful of ammo compared cranking rounds out of a .357 (even a lightweight one).
gary paugh
New member
I carry a glock 20-C I can get more shots on target faster then with a .44 mag.
Rocky1
New member
Personally, I'm a 44 mag fan. Both do have their advantages though...
If you've never shot a 44, I'd suggest you try and find one to shoot before buying, and see how you feel about it. Recoil on the 44 mag can be, and often is, found objectionable. If it's just almost OK but the gun wants to roll up in your hand, you can fix that with a decent set of grips.
44 also affords you the benefit of 44 special for plinking, shooting paper, whatever, while saving a couple bucks a box on shells.
If you've never shot a 44, I'd suggest you try and find one to shoot before buying, and see how you feel about it. Recoil on the 44 mag can be, and often is, found objectionable. If it's just almost OK but the gun wants to roll up in your hand, you can fix that with a decent set of grips.
44 also affords you the benefit of 44 special for plinking, shooting paper, whatever, while saving a couple bucks a box on shells.
All the above is true, but I will bring something up on a hunting site that many may not want to admit - statistically, firearms are 60-some % effective at stopping a bear attack. Quality pepper spray is 90-some % effective at the same game. I don't recall the exact numbers, and I do think grizzlies are included in that statistic, but the point stands. I own both 10's and 44's, and if these guys keep yappin' like this, I'll have one of those Glocks and one of those 460 Rowlands, and maybe a 45 Colt, but the spray works more betterer to stop them now. Takes their air and their eyes - can't see, can't breathe?? Even a severe predatory instinct will diminish right now. Shoot them with a powerful caliber and they may be dead, but just didn't realize it yet. After they "chew" on yo....I mean, it, a bit, they may capitulate. JMHO.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
I've been a combat handgun shooter for years and have wound up shooting most of the handguns out on the market with the exception of the .454s and like...There is a distinct difference between the recoil in the .357 magnum and the .44 magnum...The .357 has a sharper felt recoil in comparison to the .44, which is more of a 'push'...Your ability to handle a needed second shot, under stress, has to be a primary factor in any decision you make, because unless very lucky, your first shot is likely to be on the wild side...
I'm a big 10mm fan for most situations due to velocity, manageable recoil, and higher round capacity, but prefer the Glock 20 over any others for comfort of shooting and carrying...My 4" .44 magnum, loaded, is heavy by comparison to carry and limits me to six rounds and I seriously doubt that I would have time for a reload...The same is true for my .357...It's just shorter and slightly lighter in weight..
I found some foaming pepper spray several years ago that comes out in a 20' stream and acts just like the insulation foam that expands quickly and is loaded with cayenne and other hot pepper flakes...If confronted by an angry bear, I think I would be more comfortable of potentially walking away from the encounter with the spray than the firearm....A bear that has it's eyes and nose covered with the foam will have more important concerns than getting to me...After I retired as a LEO, I was chasing bail bond jumpers for a couple of years and had a chance to give the spray a workout on a wannabe outlaw biker up in MN...a golf ball size wad hit him on the nose and within seconds (maybe 2) his face was covered and he was crying and on his knees...I was impressed with the stuff...
I'm a big 10mm fan for most situations due to velocity, manageable recoil, and higher round capacity, but prefer the Glock 20 over any others for comfort of shooting and carrying...My 4" .44 magnum, loaded, is heavy by comparison to carry and limits me to six rounds and I seriously doubt that I would have time for a reload...The same is true for my .357...It's just shorter and slightly lighter in weight..
I found some foaming pepper spray several years ago that comes out in a 20' stream and acts just like the insulation foam that expands quickly and is loaded with cayenne and other hot pepper flakes...If confronted by an angry bear, I think I would be more comfortable of potentially walking away from the encounter with the spray than the firearm....A bear that has it's eyes and nose covered with the foam will have more important concerns than getting to me...After I retired as a LEO, I was chasing bail bond jumpers for a couple of years and had a chance to give the spray a workout on a wannabe outlaw biker up in MN...a golf ball size wad hit him on the nose and within seconds (maybe 2) his face was covered and he was crying and on his knees...I was impressed with the stuff...
muskrat30
New member
I wouldn't get to worked up about bears in the lower 48, once away from the Yellowstone/Northern Rockies or up in AK etc, area. You will seldom see most black bears, when you do, 90%+ will high-tail it away from you. The next 9% may just wander away. Yes, 1% of a very small number can be unpredictable.
One could list many more potential hazards in the woods. I wouldn't burden myself with a boat anchor of a gun just cuz I saw a bear. A regular higher round count 40 s&w is plenty to keep one comfortable. Now if I was in the Northern Rockies or AK I'd step it up a little.
One could list many more potential hazards in the woods. I wouldn't burden myself with a boat anchor of a gun just cuz I saw a bear. A regular higher round count 40 s&w is plenty to keep one comfortable. Now if I was in the Northern Rockies or AK I'd step it up a little.
tripod3
New member
Most people never see bears they encounter as the bear moves out quickly upon smelling or hearing them.
I have photo'd a number of bears and the ones that spook me the most have cubs.
The .44 is a truly wonderful round time tested. It is easily manageable to shoot two handed and has a good range exceeding most shooters ability.
I prefer a double action revolver like S&W.
Several times I have had bears nearly trample me running from other people stomping around. Barely enough time to grasp the gun in fact.
I have photo'd a number of bears and the ones that spook me the most have cubs.
The .44 is a truly wonderful round time tested. It is easily manageable to shoot two handed and has a good range exceeding most shooters ability.
I prefer a double action revolver like S&W.
Several times I have had bears nearly trample me running from other people stomping around. Barely enough time to grasp the gun in fact.
TripleDeuce660
Active member
I carry a G-20. I picked it because it weighs less than 44 mags and has very little recoil compared to its weight and power. If I was to do it again though, I would get the G 29. The smaller gun would be more comfortable to wear all day. The G-20 is fine for walking, but annoying when sitting down in a car or lawnchair. You can always get a longer barrel for the g 29 if you feel you need it. Taking a little off the length of the grip would be real nice for comfort. Yeah, maybe my accuracy would suffer a little but if you shoot a bear much past 10 or 20 feet you are going to be accused of poaching.
The other cool thing is you can shoot 40 sw with just a barrel. My lone wolf barrel was super accurate and never had a failure. Then there is the AA .22lr kit. That is also a bunch of fun and cheap to shoot for practice.
Check out underwood ammo. They have full power 10 mm. You want the hardcast or xtp that is 200, or 220 gr.
http://www.underwoodammo.com/10mmauto.aspx
On a 12 mile hike up to 12,000 feet the light weight is welcome.
With all that said I want a ruger LCR for any areas I go that don't have bears or for the longest and hardest hikes. The reality is, black bears run away if you clap your hands. Pot growers are the real danger in CA.
The other cool thing is you can shoot 40 sw with just a barrel. My lone wolf barrel was super accurate and never had a failure. Then there is the AA .22lr kit. That is also a bunch of fun and cheap to shoot for practice.
Check out underwood ammo. They have full power 10 mm. You want the hardcast or xtp that is 200, or 220 gr.
http://www.underwoodammo.com/10mmauto.aspx
On a 12 mile hike up to 12,000 feet the light weight is welcome.
With all that said I want a ruger LCR for any areas I go that don't have bears or for the longest and hardest hikes. The reality is, black bears run away if you clap your hands. Pot growers are the real danger in CA.
Last edited:
Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
Here's my up close bear medicine...it's a titanium nite guard in 44 mag. It's extremely light and has a heck of a kick but is still manageable. I haven't shot it past 30 yards but it's accurate enough to hit pop cans with every shot. It has a tritium front site bead from factory for nite shooting.
Last edited: